How to Support Small Business this Holiday Season
The holidays are upon us, and if you’re like us you are already getting excited and preparing for Christmas shopping. While we love giving gifts to friends and loved ones, we are always finding ways to give back to our local community and small businesses during the holidays. We have compiled a list of ways for you to help small businesses while doing this year’s holiday shopping!
Find Small Business Alternatives
While we understand the ease of shopping from big box stores or international e-commerce websites, there are always options for finding the same or similar products from local or small online businesses. The benefit of choosing small business? An actual person is smiling when they receive your order, and they are putting extra love and care into making sure you receive your gift this season.
Attend a Socially Distanced Holiday Shopping Event
We are so inspired by the innovation of small businesses coming together to create socially distanced and private shopping experiences this season. Research who is offering covid-friendly Christmas Markets and private shopping hours in your city, and support their efforts!
Victoria Suggestions: Here are two options we’ve found in Victoria that are perfect for finding local items and handmade stocking stuffers!
Bilston Creek Farm: Holiday Pop Up Shop
This holiday season, Bilston Creek Farm is being transformed into a local craft shopping destination featuring a rotating lineup of vendors, seasonal treats, hot drinks and holiday cheer.
For more info: visit here.
Nicholas Randall: Shopping by Appointment
Come and shop in style, our whole store reserved for you & your bubble!
For more info: visit here.
Take Advantage of Local Pick Up & Local Drop Off Offers
Shopping small business doesn’t have to mean driving all over town to browse for gift options. So many small businesses have pivoted to online shops & are offering pick-up and delivery options at a discount for locals! Shop from the comfort of your home, and know you are still supporting a business during this difficult economic time.
Victoria Suggestion: Nest & Nook housewares has a great online shopping option and is offering free delivery within a 35km radius this season.
Buy Giftcards
For those of you who love giving experiences or opportunities for memories for Christmas, giftcards are your best friend this year. Many small businesses that offer experiences are struggling during the current pandemic, and a giftcard to be used at a later date is the perfect way to show them support!
Global Suggestion: A giftcard for Flytographer! These are a perfect gift for the travel enthusiast in your life who will be so thankful when they are able to go on their next adventure.
Support Small Businesses That Are Giving Back
When you shop from a small business that is giving back this holiday season, your gift multiplies! We love shopping from businesses with a philanthropic element to your purchase.
New or Expecting Mom Suggestion: In Kind Boxes is a female founded and run nonprofit organization based near Portland, Oregon. For every In Kind gift box purchased, they donate one to a family in need.
Leave Positive Reviews
Small businesses rely so much on word of mouth marketing, and there is nothing more exciting than seeing a new positive review for their business. This is a suggestion that takes no money out of your holiday shopping budget, and will truly make a business owner’s day. Think back on some of the small businesses you’ve purchased from this year and go leave them some positive reviews online!
Support Small Businesses on Social!
Of course, we wouldn’t be us if we didn’t share the power of social media when it comes to small businesses. Social Media is such a powerful tool for small businesses and it is often their biggest marketing platform for the holidays. Sharing their holiday offers on social media is so helpful! Likes, comments, shares, and even saves help them reach more individuals and boost their ranking in the algorithms.