Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday

Thanksgiving weekend offers a time to reflect on our blessings, spend time with family and friends, celebrate old and new traditions, and of course, start holiday shopping. Hopefully you had a chance to support local businesses on Small Business Saturday this year. But if you weren't able to make it out, the holiday isn't over yet – you still have a few weeks to purchase gifts and make meaningful connections at local businesses.
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nWhen we think about how we're spending our money and how much more money circulates in our community when we spend dollars locally, it puts a new light on Cyber Monday. When you shop at out-of-state online retailers, 100{6be771524f35e681d5eb1711abbe9ad08f29540a742404ae9fff00be7e8f65de} of your money is flowing out of West Michigan. When you spend your money at local businesses (brick and mortar or their online stores), 73{6be771524f35e681d5eb1711abbe9ad08f29540a742404ae9fff00be7e8f65de} more of that money stays right here in our community.

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Here's a short list of local businesses that have online shopping options:

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• Beanilla/SpiceJungle – for the person in your life who loves to cook, bake, & drink tea.
• Nawara Brothers Home Store – find tech gifts for your electronic-savvy relatives (or that new oven you've been eyeing).
• Koeze Nut Company – can't decide what to get for coworkers, or your crazy aunt? Nut & chocolate baskets, check.
• Romence Gardens & Greenhouses – brighten up your holiday decorations with bright plants, trees, and other winter arrangements.
• Gazelle Sports – work off your holiday eating in style, or gift socks & hats to your workout-fanatic friends.
• Celebration! Cinema – for the movie lover, or teens that you're not quite sure what to get.
• jb and me – calling all fashionistas. jbandme now has an online store!
• Schuler Books – find gifts for book lovers and quirky stocking stuffers here. Plus – 20{6be771524f35e681d5eb1711abbe9ad08f29540a742404ae9fff00be7e8f65de} off and free shipping on December 1 only!
• Bill & Pauls – for the adventurer in your life. From hiking and camping gear to clothing to snowboards, they've got you covered.
• Eastern Floral – spruce up your table or send to a loved one.

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One of the most recent additions to the Thanksgiving weekend events is Giving Tuesday. At Local First, we are incredibly grateful for your support throughout the year – whether that be through volunteer hours at our events or in our office, or monetary support. You have helped us build relationships between consumers and local businesses, grow our community & economic ecosystem, encourage the development of sustainable business practices throughout West Michigan, and contribute to the vibrancy of our community.
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nIf you would like to support the local movement, you can make a tax deductible donation here. Any amount helps! Or, if you'd be willing to share your time with us, sign up to be a volunteer in 2015.