‘Tis the Season to Shop Local: How You Can Support Your Community

The holiday season is here, and many of us are beginning to think about our gift-giving lists. While online mega-retailers and national chains might seem like convenient choices, there’s an even better way to tackle this year’s holiday shopping. When you shift your spending to support locally owned Utah businesses, you’re creating a lasting positive impact on your entire community.

Here are 9 reasons how shopping local can make your gifts all the more meaningful:

1. Strengthening our local economy

When you purchase from a locally owned business, you’re doing more than just buying a product—you’re investing in your community’s economic health. Local businesses typically recirculate a higher percentage of revenue within the community compared to chain stores. This means your gift-giving dollars actually create a multiplier effect, supporting local jobs, fostering business growth, and contributing to the overall prosperity of Utah’s neighborhoods.

Think about it: when you buy a bestseller from a locally-owned bookshop, that money goes directly into the pockets of your neighbors — who are also more likely to reinvest it locally. Supporting Utah’s businesses contributes to a more resilient local economy that can better weather economic downturns, and it helps maintain property values in our neighborhoods.

2. Making tax dollars work for your community

An overlooked benefit of shopping locally is the impact on our tax base. When you make purchases at local businesses, your sales tax also stays within our community, helping fund essential services like schools, parks and emergency services. Local business owners also pay property taxes that support community development and infrastructure improvements.

3. Supporting community causes

Local businesses tend to be generous supporters of community initiatives — much more than national chains. They’re the ones sponsoring your child’s little league team, donating to local food banks and supporting area schools. During the holiday season, many Utah-owned businesses organize special charitable events, so your purchase could also support worthy local causes.

4. Keeping homegrown innovation alive

Our local economy thrives when we support grassroots innovation, especially the kind of ingenuity that’s tailored to our state’s outdoor lifestyle and culture. Local entrepreneurs are more likely to try new ideas and adapt to feedback within their surrounding community. By shopping with locally-owned businesses, you’re fostering an environment where creative business solutions can gain traction and flourish.
5. Reducing environmental impact
In an era of increasing environmental awareness, shopping locally is a practical way to reduce your carbon footprint. Products sold in local stores often travel shorter distances, requiring less transportation and packaging. Many local businesses also prioritize sustainable practices and locally-sourced materials, making them an easy choice for environmental conscious holiday shopping. You can find locally crafted goods in Utah’s Own online directory.

6. Better customer service and product knowledge

No one knows you like your community businesses, and you won’t get the same kind of care, customer service and connection in a big box chain store. Local business owners and their employees typically offer better customer service, because they’re deeply knowledgeable about their products and personally invested in you as their customer.

Who doesn’t love a locally crafted gift that comes with a backstory? When you buy from local shops, you’ll often get detailed information about product origins, materials, and care instructions that you might not get from temporary seasonal workers at large chains.

7. Supporting local artisans and makers

Shopping close to home also supports local artisans, craftspeople and makers, and it preserves traditional crafts and skills in our community. Utah has a rich tradition of handmade goods, from pottery and clothing to food products and jewelry — all of which make really great gifts.

Unlike national chains that provide the same experience whether you’re in Salt Lake or Seattle, local businesses help tell our community’s story. They’re the keepers of local traditions, from selling locally-crafted items that celebrate our outdoor heritage, to products that honor our Native American and pioneer history. Buying locally also helps preserve the authentic character that makes Utah special, and keeps these cultural touchstones alive for future generations.

8. Discovering unique options

Give your loved ones something one-of-a-kind this holiday season, and break free from the standardized options available at every national chain store. Whether you’re picking up a locally crafted candle from Hip and Humble, or a Bonsai starter kit from Cactus & Tropicals. you’ll find unforgettable gifts that reflect Utah’s unique culture and lifestyle.

9. Enhancing the gift-giving experience

There’s something special about walking into a local shop where the owner can offer personalized recommendations you can’t get anywhere else. This human connection adds a layer of meaning to your holiday shopping that you can’t get from clicking “add to cart” online. Local shopkeepers often go above and beyond to help you find the perfect gift, and can create custom pieces made-to-order that are truly extraordinary.

And, if you’re looking for a boost in holiday spirit, perusing adorable local shops is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The festive window displays, the smell of local bakeries and warm cider invites all the magic of the season. These experiences create lasting memories and help maintain the character and charm of our Utah communities.

Finding your shopping niche

Ready to shift your holiday spending to support local businesses? Utah offers numerous resources to help you discover local shops in your area. You can find an extensive directory of local businesses at Utah Independent Business Coalition and Utah’s Own. Salt Lake City and Park City’s business districts also offer directories of unique local shops perfect for holiday shopping.

Making a difference

By choosing to shop locally this holiday season, you’re not just buying gifts – you’re investing in the future of our communities. Every dollar spent at a local business contributes to making Utah a more vibrant, prosperous, unique place to live.

This holiday season, challenge yourself to buy locally whenever possible. The gifts you find will be more meaningful, and the impact you make will be far-reaching. After all, what better way to celebrate the spirit of the season than by supporting the hard work and creativity of our neighbors and friends?