Over the past several years I have seen a shift in the mindset and purchasing habits of so many people.

During the pandemic I saw it in the way that people rallied around local businesses – ordering takeout, purchasing gift cards and taking advantage of curbside pickup. On social media I scroll through posts, tweets and reels of people promoting businesses and asking for recommendations for local products and services. And several times a week I receive calls, emails and messages from people looking to do business with a Greater Lowell Chamber member. The keep it local wave is here, and I’m all for it.

This month we’re going to be hearing a lot about Black Friday and Small Business Saturday and while I love the enthusiasm around these days and the commerce it brings to our region, I challenge us all to think about the season as a Shop Local Season.

There are so many ways you can embrace the Shop Local mindset this holiday season:

• Commit to spending a portion of your holiday budget at local businesses.
• Create a holiday shopping list with all the local businesses you love and it share with others (who doesn’t love a good recommendation?!).
• Purchase a gift card to use at a later date or to give as a gift.

Dine and Drink Local:

• Have a holiday gathering with colleagues, family or friends at a local restaurant.
• Order take-out or curbside pick-up
• Treat yourself this holiday season and have a catered meal.
• Pick a day of the week and make it your takeout day!

Show Some Digital Love:

• When you shop or eat local, check in at the business on Facebook and/or Instagram to give them exposure.
• Post photos of your food, favorite items you’ve purchased, etc. on your social media.
• Leave a review on Facebook, Google and/or Yelp.
• Like and follow local businesses. Share and comment on their posts.
• Participate in local Facebook groups by recommending your favorites businesses.

Go the Extra Mile:

• Over tip your servers and service providers.
• Ask a business how you can help. This gesture will go a long way.
• Send local businesses a holiday card to brighten their day.
• Donate to a local non-profit organization.

Consider these businesses and ideas for holiday gifting:

• Artists and Art Galleries
• Boutiques and Shops
• Restaurants, Breweries and Wineries
• Bakeries
• Concert, Theatre and Sports Tickets
• Hairstylists and Barbers
• Make-Up and Nail Artists
• Gyms and Personal Trainers
• Spas, Massage Therapists and Estheticians

Remember, when you support a local business, it’s a chain reaction. Perhaps you go to a gift shop to pick up a card and a unique present. Next door is a restaurant. You stop in for lunch. While you’re at both places, you snap a few pictures and put them on Instagram. In the matter of an hour or two, you’ve spent your hard-earned money at two local businesses AND you promoted them through your Instagram post. YOU created a chain reaction. What a beautiful thing if we all did that.

(Sidenote: When posting on social media, please use hashtag #Shop978. It’s a movement we created during the summer of 2021 and it’s had some great traction on Instagram.)