SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS | GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT
Local holiday events
C
hristmas festivals: There may not be one in your town, but if not, it stands to reason
there’s probably one nearby. In November and December, small and mid-size towns
across the country host downtown Christmas festivals, with local stores and organi-
zations participating to encourage folks to shop and spend some time outside the
big box stores.
Look for deals
Most shops offer deals or coupons as part of a Christmas festival event, and it’s a great time to get
some shopping done while taking advantage of the sales. With so much foot traffic hitting the area at
one time, shops are usually fighting it out for attention — which is good news for shoppers. Also
check with the local Chamber of Commerce to see if there might be a local coupon book for an event.
Make memories
Along with getting some shopping done, these festivals often also feature caroling, Christmas tree
decorating contests, and sometimes even horse-drawn carriage rides. If the weather cooperates, it can
be a great way to get into the Christmas spirit and have a fun and affordable night out. Be sure to see
if there’s a schedule available for live music and events, so you can plan accordingly.
Don’t forget dinner
With shops trying to lure in customers around holiday events, local restaurants often get in on the
festivities, as well. Some will have special meals and promotions around the holiday season, so you
might even be able to change things up with a Christmas-themed dinner to go along with all the
shopping.
Remember to explore
Having everyone out around downtown means local shops are often putting their best foots
forward, so it’s a great opportunity to try out some stores or restaurants you’ve never visited —
or perhaps even noticed — before. Make it a point to visit at least one place you’ve never been,
just to see what you might be missing.
Spread the word
KNOW A GREAT LOCAL BUSINESS? DON’T BE SILENT ABOUT IT. SMALL BUSINESSES NEED YOUR HELP,
SO OPEN UP AND HELP SPREAD THE WORD ANY TIME YOU’RE IMPRESSED BY A LOCALLY OWNED SHOP.
In many ways, it’s the small things that make
the best local shops stand out. They might greet
their frequent customers by name, stock products
that no other stores offer, donate time and money
to local causes and provide a more unique
shopping experience that chain stores can’t match.
Look for these things when you’re out
shopping, and let your friends know when you
find them. You’ll be helping your friends out and
doing your part to keep your favorite businesses
open and thriving.
Social Media
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest
have opened new doors for spreading the word
about your favorite businesses. In fact, online is
where a lot of word-of-mouth marketing happens
these days as friends share and photograph their
everyday shopping trips — for better or worse.
If you run across a local business that’s doing
a great job, snap a picture or write a post about it.
A few good words on social media can have a
10 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2017 • WWW.DAILYASTORIAN.COM
positive impact for the “shop local” movement in
your community.
It Matters
Studies have shown that buyers trust recommen-
dations from their friends and family far more than they
do messages from strangers. Your opinion carries a lot
of weight with the people you know, so you can play a
big role in helping people avoid the bad shops and flock
to the good ones.
So this Christmas, don’t do your shopping in
a communications vacuum. Look for the best
products and experiences in your community this
holiday season and share them with the people
around you.
Friends and business owners will thank you.