November 12th, 2025

A small reminder for a busy season: The heart of the holidays is still local

Hey Friends,

The holidays are coming in fast. Everyone’s rushing, scrolling, shipping, comparing prices, running around like there’s some scoreboard we’re all trying to win. But let’s be honest. The best parts of this season have never come from a cart, a coupon code, or a 2-day delivery button.

The good stuff is local. It’s warm. It’s the familiar nod at the diner. It’s the business owner who remembers your kid’s name. It’s the barber who asks how your mom is doing because he actually cares, not because some corporate training manual told him he’s supposed to.

I’m convinced small businesses aren’t just stores and services. They’re the glue. The connectors. The memory holders. The people who host the Saturday conversations that actually build belonging. That’s what we’re protecting here.

So this season, instead of trying to “compete” with Amazon, we lean into what they can’t offer.

Real community.

Simple Ways To Build Community This December

Holiday Open Shop Night
Just open the doors one evening, put on some music, set out cocoa or cider. No polished event. Just vibes. People miss being invited into a space that feels personal. You’d be surprised how many sales happen when people feel welcome instead of sold to.
Team Gift Bundle with the Businesses Next Door
Example: Your bakery + the florist + the local honey business. Wrap it together with twine. Call it “Winter Neighbor Basket.” Price it fair. People love buying gifts that feel thoughtful without having to actually plan it.
Handwritten Notes
“Thanks for supporting our family business. It means more than you know.”10 seconds per bag. Lasts months in the customer’s memory.
Kid Corner One craft table. Paper. Crayons. Maybe ornament kits. That’s it. Parents will stay longer. And they’ll talk. And they’ll come back.

Connections are built in minutes, not marketing budgets.

Holiday Business Boost Tip: Make It Easy To Buy

Most family businesses don’t lose customers to big companies because they’re cheaper. They lose them because it’s confusing to know what to buy or how to buy it.

Make it easy to buy:

Pick your top 5-10 gift items or services.
Put them on one simple flyer and one web page.
Add “Need help choosing? Text us.”
Offer pickup or doorstep drop-off.

You don’t need to be everywhere—just clear, close, and human.

The Community Gift List

This is the one that changes towns.

Make a list of local businesses worth supporting
Coffee roaster. Auto detailer. Crochet lady. The guy who fixes lawn equipment in his garage.
Turn it into a simple graphic and a printable sheet
Hand stacks to:
- Church
- Barbers
- Coffee shops
- Diners
- Salons
Share the graphic in Facebook groups and group texts.