Fall and winter are busy times for all of us. And after a year of working to build back better from the ongoing pandemic, the 2021 Holiday Season is no exception. Add to that the year-end bookkeeping, social (distance) engagements, busy storefront hours, and personal holiday shopping, it’s no wonder these months fly by. It’s enough to overwhelm anyone.
Your holiday shopping and gifting doesn’t have to put you in a holi-DAZE! Make it easy and make it count by taking advantage of our community resources to gift local and gift good. Our local businesses are here for you, providing solutions while still recovering from supply chain issues and staffing challenges. They are depending on us to put people first before, during, and after the holidays.
Locally-owned, independent businesses keep our economy stable and resilient. It’s these businesses that keep capital circulating, create jobs, and build a sense of place. Shopping at big box stores and ordering from suppliers across the world means that your dollars leave West Michigan. This destabilizes our economy and makes us vulnerable. Not to mention this year brings the added uncertainty of our supply chains. Will your online order be in stock? Arrive on time? And put additional strain on dwindling natural resources?
Put your money where your mitten is and let us streamline your holiday cheer!
Shift Your Spending
Need inspiration to gift local and gift good? Challenge yourself to gift locally and sustainably! Use these nine actions to shop for products and services made locally, ethically, and intentionally. Your holiday purchases can be a vote for the type of community you want to see!
And while you’re at it, why not make it a fun game!? Play along with us!
Over the next several weeks, Local First will be fleshing out these nine actions and the ways you can shift your spending to locally-owned businesses across West Michigan. Follow along with us on Instagram and Facebook.
But you don’t have to wait on us to get start
ed! Shopping early is especially important this year! Use the Local First and/or B Corp Directory to find awesome local and sustainable businesses.
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Happening in a Neighborhood Near You
Plug in to our West Michigan neighborhoods to support businesses in a corridor near you. Our neighborhoods are hard at work providing fun and safe shopping opportunities, holiday cheer, and ultimately creating a vibrant and resilient sense of place. Check out what’s happening in these three neighborhoods!
Creston: Lights on Creston is back. Late Shopping hours, business BINGO game with prizes, window display contest and LOTS more. Kingma’s will have a lot full of tees. Pop by on December 8th to shop Creston Businesses!
Check out these neighborhood offerings and search for more local events on localfirst.com/events.
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We’re so grateful for a strong local business presence in West Michigan! Thank you for shifting your spending to local businesses this Holiday Season!