It’s that time of year when we’re all gearing up for the holidays. Whichever winter holiday(s) we celebrate, we’re filling up our calendars and preparing to empty our wallets. If you’re like me, you’ve been socking away money for months already! Since I’m a planner, I’m starting now to ponder the perfect gift for everyone on my list. Normally, my next step would be to head out to the local mall, with perhaps a few stops at my favorite big-box stores along the way, to start picking up those perfect gifts. This year, though, I’m determined to do things differently.
Like many women, I enjoy trips to the mall with my girlfriends, and I can easily burn up an entire afternoon in Target. But I’ve been thinking… What if I could get my holiday gift shopping done, and help others at the same time? There are plenty of small businesses that are also scrimping and saving, cutting back and trying to get by in a tough economy. Wouldn’t it be awesome to support the little non-chain restaurant that just opened? I’m sure they sell gift certificates, and I have no doubt that my friends would appreciate a dinner out. I know several stressed out moms who would love the relaxation my friend the massage therapist could bring them. The chocoholics on my list would be so excited to receive a selection of handmade goodies from our local candy shop — and I could pick up a little something for myself there, too!
To take it a step further, I might call up any of the many direct sales representatives I know, place an order, and have it delivered directly to my (or my gift recipient’s) house. The double bonus: I’d be supporting a small business and saving money on gas at the same time. Between Gold Canyon Candles, Avon, The Pampered Chef, Dove Chocolates, ThirtyOne, and Gigi Hill, I could get almost all of my holiday gifts taken care of without even leaving my house! Then, I’d just need an afternoon at my local craft fair to finish off my list with some handmade, one-of-a-kind creations made by local artisans, and I’d be completely finished with all of my gift shopping. That just leaves one last step: contacting my Stampin’ Up! demonstrator for the supplies to make the cards and tags to accompany all of those gifts!!! 🙂
Small business owners need your business and will work hard to keep it. And small business keeps our economy running. I’m going to support my fellow small-business owners this holiday season by buying as many of my gifts as possible from them. Can you purchase at least one of your gifts from a small business this year? Will you? If you’re willing to meet this challenge, post here and share your experience. I’m looking forward to hearing from you…
(I have many contacts in the direct sales business. Let me know if I can help you find a representative!)