Why You Should Support Small Businesses at Christmas
The holiday season is a magical time filled with traditions, family gatherings, and festive celebrations. As we prepare to wrap up the year, one of the most impactful ways we can share the holiday spirit is by choosing to support small businesses. When you shop with local businesses, you help sustain the community, create opportunities, and find meaningful gifts that tell a story. This year, let’s have a closer look at the many reasons to support small businesses at Christmas, and how you can make the most of this festive season by shopping local.
1. Supporting Small Businesses Fuels Your Local Economy
When you pick to shop at a small business, you’re investing in your local economy. Small businesses employ around 16.4 million people in the UK and account for nearly half of the country’s private sector turnover. Spending at local businesses keeps money circulating within the community, leading to better infrastructure, more jobs, and a thriving local culture. By supporting local, you’re helping to secure employment opportunities close to home and investing in the area you live in.
Campaigns like Small Business Saturday, held each December, encourage consumers to support small enterprises during the holiday season. When you shop local, not only are you investing in your community, but you’re also helping build a resilient local economy that benefits everyone.
2. Small Businesses Offer Unique, Meaningful Gifts
Local businesses provide a range of one-of-a-kind products, giving you the chance to choose gifts that reflect the personality and interests of your loved ones. Rather than generic items from large chains, shopping small allows you to select gifts with meaning. Many small business owners put extra time and creativity into each item, offering products with a personal touch and high quality that larger stores often can’t match.
For instance, Quarter, a brand that makes low-alcohol spirits, offers an innovative approach to holiday gifts for those looking to enjoy the festive season in moderation. Similarly, Philly & Friends, a children’s lifestyle brand, is dedicated to producing toys and books that promote diversity, making it easy to find something unique and inspiring.
3. You Help Foster Ethical and Sustainable Shopping
When you support small businesses, you’re also helping to reduce your carbon footprint. Local businesses regularly have a streamlined supply chain and produce smaller quantities, which leads to less waste and emissions from shipping. Many small businesses prioritize sustainable practices, from using eco-friendly materials to ensuring fair labour conditions. Supporting such businesses lets you align your holiday purchases with values of responsibility and sustainability.
For instance, a campaign led by Totally Local in Yorkshire estimated that if every adult in the UK spent just £5 per week shopping locally, it would generate an additional £13.5 billion for local economies. This emphasizes how small decisions to shop locally can add up to a significant positive impact on the environment and the economy.
4. Small Business Owners Bring Passion and Creativity
Behind each small business is a dedicated business owner who often wears multiple hats, from product development to customer service and marketing. They’re passionate about their products and services, and their work is driven by a desire to bring something special to their customers. Whether you’re buying a handmade ornament or a seasonal gift card, the thoughtfulness, and creativity of small business owners shine through.
This holiday season, take the time to learn about the business owners in your community. Follow your favourite local businesses on social media to stay updated on their latest offerings. Platforms like Facebook allow small businesses to share promotions, new products, and behind-the-scenes content, which builds a connection with the community. By sharing and liking their posts, you’re helping them reach a wider audience and generate interest among other potential customers.
5. Supporting Small Businesses Can be Convenient and Personalized
Shopping small and supporting local businesses doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice convenience. Many local shops now have online stores or social media profiles where you can browse and shop from home. Buying from small businesses online offers the flexibility to find your holiday gifts without needing to navigate crowded shopping centres.
Another convenient way to support small businesses is by purchasing gift cards. Gift cards make fantastic holiday presents, especially for those who may be hard to shop for. They provide recipients the flexibility to select something they truly love, and your purchase helps keep money circulating within the community.
6. Small Businesses Strengthen Community Bonds
The connection between small businesses and their communities goes beyond transactions. These businesses are often invested in supporting local events, charities, and schools, which in turn strengthens the fabric of the community. They’re not just places to shop; they’re venues where neighbours meet, exchange ideas, and build lasting connections.
By shopping small during the holiday season, you contribute to this sense of community. Small businesses frequently host holiday events, seasonal menu specials, and workshops, creating shared experiences that go beyond just shopping. When you support small businesses, you’re helping to preserve a sense of place and community spirit.
7. Your Support Helps Small Businesses Grow and Innovate
Small businesses are at the heart of innovation. Many local business owners are constantly finding ways to improve their products and services. From locally sourced ingredients to handmade products, they bring creative solutions to the market.
Take Quarter, the low-alcohol spirits brand, as an example. Started by founders who saw a gap in the market, they aimed to create a product that offered an alternative to traditional spirits, meeting the growing demand for low- and no-alcohol options. By supporting their innovation, you’re allowing small businesses to keep evolving and providing better options.
8. Social Media Amplifies Your Impact
Social media can be a powerful tool for supporting your favourite local businesses. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter allow you to share your experiences, post reviews, and spread the word about the unique products and services you’ve discovered. When you tag a business or share a post, you’re helping them reach a larger audience.
If you’ve enjoyed a purchase, take a moment to leave a positive review or share a photo. Such small actions can help local businesses grow by building trust and credibility with potential customers.
9. Shopping Small Offers a Unique Experience
Shopping at a small business is often a more personal, engaging experience compared to larger chain stores. Small businesses frequently go above and beyond to make customers feel valued, offering a warm, friendly environment and typically a sense of holiday cheer that you can’t find elsewhere.
This holiday season, consider visiting your local shops and markets for an enjoyable shopping experience. Engage with the owners, learn more about the story behind each product, and enjoy the sense of connection that comes with shopping small.
10. It’s the Perfect Time to Give Back
The holiday season is a time for giving, and one of the most meaningful ways to give back is by supporting the small businesses that are vital to your community. As you shop for gifts, consider how your spending decisions impact the people around you. Choosing to support small businesses ensures that they can continue to operate, employ locals, and contribute to a vibrant, diverse economy.
Final Thoughts
Supporting small businesses during the holiday season isn’t just about shopping; it’s about fostering connections, supporting local economies, and celebrating the people who pour their hearts into their work. From unique gifts to sustainable practices, small businesses offer numerous reasons to make them your top choice this season. As you prepare for the festivities, remember the power of choosing local, and share the love for your favourite local business—on social media, in person, and through your purchases.
This year, let’s make the holiday season meaningful by investing in our communities, supporting small businesses, and spreading joy in a way that benefits us all.