Small Business Saturday is an American shopping holiday that takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Believe it or not, the “holiday” is already more than a decade old, with the first Small Business Saturday taking place back in 2010. It’s considered a counterpart to both Black Friday and Cyber Monday, fighting back against the big retailers to support smaller shops and brick and mortar stores (even though the day was created by a little company called American Express).
Small Business Saturday is a great day to both promote whatever you may be selling, from homemade birdhouses to duck eggs, and to support all the small businesses in your community, from lumberyards to co-ops to artists. When you shop locally, you keep those dollars in your community. You literally support your neighbor. And that’s a great way to build relationships, no matter if they’re transactional or friendships.
Additionally, this is a time to find truly unique gifts for the holiday season. A one-of-a-kind painting or homemade sweater is definitely more appreciated than something mass-produced on another continent. And there’s no delay in waiting for something to ship this way. You walk in a store, buy what you want and head home to wrap it.
Internet search engines can be your friend in finding somewhere new and small to shop, but also take the time to explore. Head out in your car, hop on your bicycle or, if the weather is nice enough, take a long walk. Everything can feel frantic this time of year. Slow down. Enjoy your small town and its businesses.
