Think big, shop small!
Small Business Saturday is coming! For those of us who love local, who shudder at the thought of Target at 5:00 am the day after Thanksgiving, who believe in our bones that Thanksgiving shopping is a sign of the End Times, there’s Small Business Saturday. Shop local on the day after the day after Thanksgiving, and you’ll come away with unbruised ribs and the warm knowledge that you’ve helped the people who keep your town running.
You’ll also probably come away with more personal gifts for holiday giving than if you fought the crowds.
This year, a lot of bookstores are joining the Shop Small day, including my local, Bookshop Santa Cruz. They’ve even brought some of us locals in to talk about our favorite books:
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No Black Friday, no Cyber Monday, just shopping with friends and a gentle drive home. Check out your local shops here.
Here’s the Bookshop Santa Cruz page. And on November 30th, remember to:
I love finding unusual things at the smaller stores. And for those who are tempted to hit the stores on Thanksgiving evening, I ask you to think about how YOU would feel if your spouse or child or parent had to skip dinner with the family to make their shift. It’s the one time – the ONE day a year that this country takes a moment to just appreciate what we have, instead of wanting more. Even if you don’t observe a religion, gratitude is so very, very important. If the shoppers don’t show up, the stores wouldn’t do it.
Hope that’s not too controversial.
Right on, Laurie! Happily, despite living in big old L.A., there is a street full of small businesses close at hand, and I’m delighted to spend money in those businesses rather than in any large chain store.
I have sworn a number of mighty oaths, akin to “Don’t tug on Superman’s cape.” Amongst them are “Don’t try to travel between a week before Thanksgiving and a week after New Year’s”, and “Don’t try to go shopping on Thanksgiving/Black Friday”. Bitter experience has taught me these truths.