Now that the Christmas holiday shopping season has hit full swing, please take a minute to stop and think about the businesses in your local community. Today, November 30th, 2013, is “Small Business Saturday.” Find one (or more!) small business in your area, and take a moment to shop local, and keep some of your hard-earned money in your local community. Why is this important? By shopping local you’re providing the ability for local merchants to thrive. Thriving businesses employ more people in your community and give back more in tax revenue and philanthropy. It creates a positive cycle where communities can work together toward economic success. We realize that sometimes local merchants aren’t able to offer the same discounts that “big box” stores will tempt you with this holiday season, but it’s important to remember that these are your friends and neighbors who will benefit from your choice to “stay local.”

Ideas to Replace Mass-Produced with Locally Produced:

• Instead of buying that kitschy two-pound Reese’s cup, find a local candy shop and get your loved ones something that was made with love rather than by machines.
• For that aunt or parent that has everything, stop into a local art gallery, or local craftsman’s shop to buy handmade wares. They’ll appreciate something of beauty way more than another knick-knack from Walmart
• For a foodie friend, make a reservation at a local restaurant that you both have never been to, and have a night out on the town.
• The book lovers among your friends and family will appreciate a chance to browse a local bookstore rather than Amazon.com.
• That friend from work, who loves wine or beer? Find an exotic vintage or brew from a local store, and share a drink after work one day.

Just take a moment to stop and think about gifts that will make your loved ones smile. If you can buy something to elicit that smile locally, please do. While it’s important to think and act locally today, its even better to extend that behavior to the holiday season, or the whole year. We here at ONK believe that we can make our world stronger by starting with making our local community stronger. Please join us and commit to buying locally when possible.