How To Support Local Businesses This Holiday Season

November 30, 2020

Locally owned businesses are the heart of our communities. So with the season of giving upon us, there’s never been a better time to show your support to small businesses in your neighborhood or suburb. Here are a few ways you can do that during the holidays:

Order in for Thanksgiving

Take a break from cooking and let a local restaurant handle Thanksgiving dinner. Several restaurants throughout Chicagoland are offering dinner options for pickup and delivery as well as meal kits of your favorite dishes. Whether you’re just ordering pies and sides or entire feasts, know that your delicious holiday meal directly supports a local business.

Start Holiday Shopping

It’s never too early to get your holiday shopping done! If you’re looking for shops in your own neighborhood, check out your local Chamber of Commerce for a list of new and old businesses. Etsy also has a robust collection of small businesses and independent creators selling everything from personalized recipe plates and leather wallets to cozy knit blankets and gardening kits, so you can safely shop from the comfort of your home. Snag this “Mama” necklace for the mothers in your life or this monogrammed glassware set for your favorite Old Fashioned connoisseur.

Purchase Gift Cards

Whether or not gift cards are part of your holiday shopping, they are a great way to support locally owned businesses. Purchase from restaurants and shops in your community so a friend or family member can use the gift card now for takeout, curbside pickup, or online purchases, or in the future. If you are buying a gift card for someone else and don’t know their favorite food, consider purchasing one from DoorDash, GrubHub, or Postmates, and encourage the recipient to use it on an order from a local restaurant.

Keep Up With Exercise

Fitness may be the last thing on your mind during the holiday season, but what better way to support a local business than working on your physical and mental health? Several fitness studios around Chicagoland have adapted their classes to fulfill social distancing standards or have continued to offer virtual classes. Ask your local gym or fitness studio what options they have, or check out some of our favorites: SALT, Free MVMT Shop, Spynergy, and Studio Three.

Deck Out Your WFH Space

If your work-from-home or at-home learning space could use a little facelift, look no further than local furniture stores. Offering a range of products for all of your home office needs, these shops often carry unique items that can elevate your space and showcase your personal style. Be sure to also check out antique shops, which are the perfect place to find office chairs and desks or one-of-a-kind items that will make your space feel and look even better.

Share the Love

When you come across a business you like, consider reviewing your experience online. New shoppers will gain a lot from your vote of confidence, and the business will too. You can also follow your favorite small businesses on social media. Interact with their posts and stories, and you’ll help more eyes see their account. You may even catch early wind of new products or an upcoming sale – win-win!