Shop Small, Live Big
3 Big Reasons to Shop Small
How is it almost Thanksgiving already? If only we could hit the rewind button, go back a month and try again, I might be ready. I mean, now we have to start thinking about gift shopping! Black Friday is coming up, but has anyone else realized that Black Friday isn't what all the retailers would like you to believe? How about skipping it altogether this year in favor of something less stressful and more enjoyable.
This time of year, it seems like most of us start feeling this pressure of being forced to go out and buy certain things that no one really needs with money we may or may not have. All the input around us tries to compel us to meet these certain societal expectations. Maybe if we take a minute and think about what we are actually doing and why we are doing it, we can get back to enjoying this time of year. Because…the holidays are supposed to be a time of reflection and celebration!
One way I know we can get back to embracing the true spirit of the holidays is to Shop Small! What does that mean? That means skipping the massive online retailers and box stores and instead, go shop on Main Street! By, ‘main street,’ I mean the locally owned shops in your community. The stores that your neighbors own. The stores that keep a city alive. The mom and pop shops.
I am sure you have heard of Small Business Saturday by now. It was started almost 25 years ago by American Express, who launched a campaign to help small businesses counter the Black Friday push of big retailers. It quickly picked up traction, going all the way to Congress who created a resolution and initiative to support small businesses around the country. Making Small Business Saturday, officially recognized by the U.S. Government.
I know it is easy to go to Amazon. It seems like a one stop shop. But, in today’s economy is it really one stop anymore? Between inflation, shipping delays, and supply chain disruption, the things that used to show up in two days, may not be showing up at all any more. Not to mention, the quality of products have really declined in recent years. Now, this isn’t a slam against Amazon. This is a reminder that there is more around you then you may remember. And shopping locally has a greater direct effect on your life than you may realize. Let’s look at some of the awesome reasons to shop small this holiday season, and maybe even carry this throughout the rest of the year.
Better for your Mental Health
Seems like a pretty bold statement, right? Well, maybe not.
The environment walking into a big box store between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be very chaotic! Half the time you feel like cattle packed into a corral. You are bombarded by fifteen foot aisles of the almost the same exact selection of toys and gifts as every other box store. If you are brave enough to go on Black Friday, it feels like one of those game shows where you have to get as much as possible before the buzzer goes off. When you finally make it back to your car, you are completely frazzled and exhausted and wondering, “Why am I actually doing this?” or “what did I just do?!”
Now, when I walk into my local bookstore, craft shop, clothing boutique, or sporting goods store it is usually calm and inviting. Sometimes they even offer tea or cider while you shop. I also tend to get personalized service from an employee if I need it, and most of the time, they don’t act like I am inconveniencing them. It’s very likely you’ll be able to talk to one of the owners who can give you more background on the items they created or why they carry certain products over others. Oh, and bonus! Many small businesses still offer gift-wrapping services.
There is a personal connection that can be built if you are looking for it. Most small business owners are hungry for more community connections. You never know how they might be able to help you in your endeavors, or how you might be able to help them. Those are the kind of connections that really built this country, and the connections that we are, sadly, starting to lose in this virtual world.
Unique & Quality Gifts
If you are like me, when you walk through your local shops you often find yourself saying, “Oh wow! I have never seen anything like that before!” That’s because small business owners are often hand making items. And if they are not making it themselves, they are carefully curating what they carry in their shop. They want to be known for carrying great, quality products.Their livelihood depends on people being happy enough with what they sell that they come back and send their friends. So, if you are having trouble coming up with unique gift ideas and are sick of the typical gifts found at the entrance of Walmart, get your boots on the ground and check out what is around the corner.
If getting out and shopping isn’t feasible for your lifestyle, remember, many of these retailers have websites, online stores, or Etsy accounts. If you want to try out Etsy, they have the option to show sellers in your area first. This is a great way to shop locally and find unique and custom gifts, while still shopping from the comfort of your couch, or from the backseat of the Uber. You can also go to your city’s chamber of commerce website and see what kind of information they have. Some cities have tons of resources online.
Another great resource is American Express actually! They have a national map that shows local places to shop, as well as their own online shop that features small businesses throughout the nation. So, spend an extra five minutes to find out if you can spend your money locally while still shopping online.
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/maps?cat=Shop-Small&version=shopsmall
Supports Community
You know when you drive down the main street of a small town and it’s all boarded up? It’s sad isn’t it? You wonder what it used to be like and how it ended up a ghost town. On the flip side, have you driven down a main street that is thriving and thought, “I could totally spend some time here.”? If you want that main street vibe back in your community, then it starts with supporting the businesses that can fill those spaces. But, it doesn’t just stop there. The taxes and revenue that you spend locally, goes back into your community to support emergency services, libraries and parks, and other important city infrastructure. When you buy products online, all that goes to someone else’s city. And it is often far, far away across oceans.
That is the day to start your holiday season off right by supporting your community and finding out what all those old movies meant when they talk about holiday cheer. This principle honestly goes for your year round shopping, not just the holidays! Another fun thing to look into for your shopping is looking for entertainment or an event where you can shop such as craft and holiday markets, food vendors, music, and other events. Make it a fun day for the whole family to get out and spend some time together or with neighbors you have never met! Or, if you are just needing a peaceful shopping day for yourself away from the usual noise of your life; head out, grab a hot cider or peppermint mocha, and wander aimlessly through the shops being refreshed and inspired before the busy season ahead.
#ShopSmall
