The holidays are one of the busiest times for gift-shopping. While you may be tempted to shop online to avoid crowds, why not buy local and give loved ones an artisan present instead? Whether it’s a painting from the local art gallery or a hand-sculpted figurine, you’ll find something to please everyone on your list. Here are a few reasons to shop at a small business this season.

Why You Should Shop for Holiday Presents at a Local Store

1. Invest in the Community

Many small businesses in your town are owned by your neighbors, and your patronage helps support them and their employees. By putting money back into the community, you’ll benefit from improved amenities and civil services. At least twice as much of the money spent on a purchase stays in local economies when people shop local compared to when they buy from national franchises.

2. Find Unique Gifts

When buying from a small store or local artist, you’ll likely be giving your loved one something handmade and unique. This will allow you to find something special for each person on your list and it minimizes the risk of giving them the same present as someone else, ensuring your gift will stand the test of time.

Additionally, most local vendors offer the opportunity to personalize the purchase. Working hand in hand with local artists you have the ability to specialize any purchase you make. 

3. Support the Environment

Shopping locally helps keep the environment healthy, and you’ll protect the land, air, and nearby wildlife. This is because fewer transportation emissions are released if you buy something that was made in the town versus getting a present shipped from across the country.

If you’re giving a loved one a piece of art for the holidays, you can get a custom frame from Denali Graphics & Frame in Alaska. This locally owned art gallery has provided the Anchorage, Mat-Su valley, and Kenai Peninsula communities with a variety of exquisite pieces and personalized framing options since 1989. View their past projects online, or call (907) 561-4456 to start a custom order.