Editor’s note: This commentary is by Amanda Witman, a small business administrative consultant who has been spending the pandemic supporting local downtown businesses in association with the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance and the Center for Women and Entrepreneurship.
Our local economy has been devastated by the pandemic, and to ensure that our beloved Vermont survives this economic crisis, we must keep our dollars local. Every dollar you spend locally is a positive double whammy — your recipient gets a gift, and your local economy gets your much-needed support.
But most Americans have been financially impacted by the current crisis, and this means holiday budgets are pinched. According to Newsweek, “Thirty-seven percent of people will spend less this holiday season than they did last year.”
How can you stay within your means and still support local businesses? Here are some suggestions:
Set your budget and fit your spending plans to it. This is one of the most effective ways to save money during the holidays. If you are short on cash, go big on creativity. Local retailers often make it a point to stock something for any budget, so don’t be afraid to ask for their help in finding something that fits both your wallet and your recipient. This kind of one-on-one shopping support is hard to beat, and you won’t get it from the big chains.
Give small gifts with great meaning. This is the year for small gifts, especially as restrictions on social gatherings mean more gifts will need to be mailed at an additional cost. Before you shop, take the time to revisit memories you’ve made with each recipient, perhaps right here in Vermont. What might give them a little reminder of the connection you have with them? Sometimes the smallest and most humble gifts have the biggest impact.
Buy local. If you can’t find what you need locally, find a source somewhere else in the state. (See links at the end of this article for suggestions.) If you can, buy from someone you know personally. Giving your hard-earned money to another hard-working Vermonter helps to ensure that their business will survive this season and beyond. The taxes retailers pay to the state of Vermont go to programs that help all Vermonters thrive, which means that some of what you spend will come back to you.
Choose gifts made in Vermont. Seek out Vermont artists, craftspeople, growers, and producers. We have an incredible wealth of creative gifts available here, many produced by hand and all made with that essential Vermont commitment to quality. We also have an impressive array of Vermont-made specialty foods. A gift chosen with the recipient’s tastes in mind doesn’t have to be expensive. Think maple goods, cheeses, holiday ornaments, small pottery, earrings, puzzles, chocolates, wooden bowls, soaps, greeting cards, wool socks, and so much more.
Enjoy local conveniences. Many local retailers are offering same-day touchless curbside pickup, and some even offer local delivery. Don’t forget to ask about free gift-wrapping!
“Shop local” online. If you’d prefer to shop entirely online, you’re in luck. At the start of the pandemic, many local shops set up brand-new websites and online shops to facilitate safe shopping during lockdown. You might be surprised by the range of Vermont items you can now find online that you never could before.
Who doesn’t love Vermont’s sweet downtowns dotted with gift shops, cafes, and our many artists’ collectives, craft shows, and farmers markets? These iconic institutions are essential to the Vermont experience, and they are what draw people back to our brave little state. Their owners are our neighbors, our friends, and members of our community. They need ongoing business to survive, so with visitor traffic curtailed by the state travel mandate, it’s up to all of us to help them keep their doors open.
So do your part, even with a small budget. Every bit adds up. Give yourself and all of Vermont the gift of an economic boost by shopping local and giving Vermont-made gifts this holiday season.
Helpful links for finding Vermont sources for gifts and other items:
lovermont.org
Made In Vermont
The Register
Vermont Business Magazine’s Gift Guide
Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Vermont Crafts Council
Women’s Festival of Crafts
