How You Can Support Small Business During the 2024 Holidays

Small businesses are the heart of a community. They bring vibrancy, culture, and economic strength to neighborhoods.

The holidays are often the busiest time of year for small businesses, with many making the bulk of their annual sales during the season. But as big box retailers continue to dominate the market, small businesses face fierce competition and increasing pressure to stand out.

This year, consider shopping small for holiday gifts, décor, and more. It’s a simple yet meaningful choice that keeps local, community shops thriving.

Keep reading for ten ways you can make a difference with your holiday shopping in 2024. 

Why Supporting Small Business Matters

When you shop small, you’re making a choice that benefits your community, the environment, and the gift giving experience. Here’s how:

Shopping small is more fun

1. Unique gift options: Small businesses are treasure troves of one-of-a-kind finds. From vintage Chanel to playful Kate Spade, you’ll discover gifts as special as the people you’re shopping for. Check out these 6 unique holiday gifts you can find on consignment.

2. Exceptional customer service: Small business owners and employees often provide personalized service that big box stores can’t match. They genuinely care about your experience, offering tailored product recommendations and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

3. Strengthens connections: Shopping local fosters a sense of community and belonging. It turns a simple transaction into an opportunity to connect with neighbors, friends, and fellow community members.

4. Invests in someone’s dream: Behind every small business is an entrepreneur who has taken a risk to follow their passion. Every dollar you spend at their store helps them keep their dreams alive, creating a ripple effect that inspires others to follow their passions too.

Small businesses enrich communities

5. Unique character: Local shops bring a distinctive charm to your town. From family-owned diners to luxury consignment boutiques, small businesses create a sense of place and identity that big chains can’t replicate.

6. Builds community: Small business owners are often deeply invested in their communities. They give back by supporting local events, sponsoring sports teams, and donating to charitable causes. When you shop small, you’re also helping keep money in your community.

7. Adds diversity: Independent shops often feature a wide variety of products that reflect the local vibe, like handcrafted items or consignment pieces from your neighbors. This offers a unique shopping experience specific to the area.

Shopping small is sustainable

8. Lower carbon footprint: Local businesses often source products closer to home, cutting down on transportation emissions and contributing to a more sustainable planet.

9. Responsible practices: Many small businesses prioritize eco-friendly and ethical practices, like using recycled materials or selling secondhand goods. Learn more about Current Boutique’s sustainability mission here.

Shopping small boosts the local economy

10. Keeps money local: Dollars spent at small businesses are reinvested into the community, helping fund local schools, parks, and infrastructure. This creates a “multiplier effect,” where one purchase helps uplift the entire local economy.

11. Creates jobs: Small businesses collectively employ almost half of the private workforce in the U.S., making them a cornerstone of thriving local economies. Learn more about how consignment stores benefit the economy here.

Keep reading for ten ways you can shop small this holiday season.

1. Embrace e-commerce.

Many small businesses now offer online shopping, making it easy to shop small even from your couch. You get the convenience of online shopping while supporting an entrepreneur who’s put their heart and soul into their business. This dramatically helps small businesses grow by broadening the idea of “local” customers, giving a wider potential audience to help grow their dreams. Some of our best clients at Current Boutique live out-of-state and purchase from us online – and many have even traveled to D.C. to come visit us!

2. Buy small biz gift cards.

Gift cards are practical and thoughtful gifts that give local businesses a financial boost. They’re a win-win: you get to support your favorite shops and your recipient gets to pick out exactly what they want!

3. Spread some holiday cheer.

The holiday season can be stressful for everyone, including small business owners and employees. Show kindness and patience. A smile, a thank-you, or a bit of understanding when things go wrong can make all the difference.

4. Engage in social media.

Positive reviews on platforms like Google and Yelp are powerful tools to help small businesses attract new customers. Your words can influence others to shop, and that support multiplies the impact you can have on a small business.

Engage with the business’s social media content by liking, sharing, and commenting to increase their visibility. It’s free for you and means the world to them! Also, encourage others to shop small by sharing your favorite finds and businesses on social media or in conversations. Word-of-mouth recommendations are powerful!

5. Keep an eye out for deals.

Small businesses often offer holiday promotions or participate in events like Small Business Saturday. Follow your favorite shops on social media or sign up for their newsletters to stay in the loop and be the first to know about special offers, so you can shop small while also keeping your budget in mind.

6. Start your holiday shopping early.

Smaller businesses may have limited inventory and rely on local shipping services, which can mean longer processing and shipping times. Shopping early helps ensure you’ll have your gifts in hand with plenty of time to spare, reducing stress for both you and the business owner.

7. Shop often.

One of the perks of shopping on consignment is that inventory is constantly updating. With new items arriving weekly, each visit is an opportunity to discover more unique treasures. During the holiday season, our rotating stock means you’re more likely to find that perfect gift that will really “wow” your friends and family.

8. Explore new businesses.

The holidays are a fun time to discover new stores, both in-person and online. You may even find your new favorite brand! Here are a few ways to find new small businesses:

• Search for holiday markets in your town or nearby city.
• Walk into specialty stores, artisan markets, or pop-up shops in your neighborhood.
• Browse social media to find small sellers you’ve never heard of.
• Use American Express’s Small Business map to find Small Business Saturday participating retailers.
• Visit farmers’ markets to sample local artisans, food vendors, and independent businesses.
• Check bulletin boards at libraries, cafes, or community centers for advertisements and event listings.
• Ask friends, family, or coworkers for recommendations of their favorite local spots.
• Visit your local chamber's website for a directory of small businesses.
• Take a stroll or a scenic drive around your town to discover shops you may have never noticed before.

9. Donate to local nonprofits.

A donation to a local nonprofit in someone’s name can be a thoughtful, meaningful gift. For an extra-special touch, choose a cause your recipient cares about. Whether it’s supporting a local food bank or helping animals in need, there’s a cause for everyone.

Thank you for supporting local!

Every purchase, review, and word of encouragement helps keep small businesses alive and thriving. At Current Boutique, we’re grateful for every customer who chooses to support local fashion and sustainability. Your thoughtfulness fuels dreams, uplifts communities, and makes the holiday season brighter for everyone. Thank you for shopping small—and making a big difference. Happy holidays!

Start shopping small at Current Boutique with our latest finds!