Small Business Saturday

Shopping on Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving - has been a national tradition for decades.  For most people that means the mall, major electronics stores or discount stores like Walmart and Target.  Whether you love it or hate it, it is a huge shopping day for national retailers.

A couple of years ago American Express began promoting Small Business Saturday.  The idea - shop at a small business on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

I hope you will join me in making a purchase at small business in your area or if you want to spend the day at home - an on-line small business.

This doesn't have to just be holiday shopping. Remember there are countless small businesses that don't sell sweaters and electronics.  Here are some ideas for local shopping on Saturday, November 26:

• Skip the nationally advertised chain restaurant and try a locally owned coffee shop or restaurant.
• Place an order with a home-sales specialist - Stampin' Up!, Pampered Chef or whatever you favor.
• Get the oil changed in your car at a local garage.
• Purchase something handmade on Etsy.com
• Bypass the "million dollar corner lot" national pharmacy and drive down the street to your locally owned pharmacy to pick up a few things for your medicine cabinet.  Tranfer a prescription to your local pharmacy.  You'll be relieved to speak to the same pharmacist every time when you have questions.
• Go appliance or furniture shopping for yourself at a small local store.  I always try to buy things that might need to be repaired someday at a locally owned store. The service is so much better and the deal is just as good.
• Treat yourself to a crafting kit from one of the many small on-line businesses such as artfuldelight.com 
• Sign up for an on-line crafting class from one of the many bloggers who offer such classes like shimelle.com or jennifermcquireink.com 
• Stop by your salon and have a manicure or pick up some styling products for yourself or as stocking stuffers.
• Grab a couple of paperbacks at your used book store or regular book store if you are lucky enough to still have one.
• Visit your local florist and purchase a plant or flower for someone a bit under the weather.
• Drop off or pick up your dry cleaning.
• Attend a drop-in Yoga or other exercise class (which is what I have planned this Saturday - got to work off that big dinner :-).
• Don't forget E-bay.  You may get a deal and you'll support dealers who make their living doing this or people like you and me who just want to make a few dollars for their own holiday shopping.

Shopping local has tons of advantages.  One I notice that applies to this busy holiday weekend is location.  Most of the small local businesses are no where near the big retailers so traffic should be lighter and that makes for a much better holiday weekend.

Happy shopping and thanks for supporting my fellow small businesses.