1. BUY GIFT CARDS FROM LOCAL SHOPS

Most shops will have their own personal gift cards and if they don’t, you can make up your own. Canva is a great tool for creating fabulous designs. Use your imagination and go for it. Just remember, this is not an actual gift card, so you will need to attach money to it or call the shop and arrange to pay them another way.

3. TREAT LOCAL BUSINESS WORKERS WITH RESPECT

Christmas can be a busy time were patience is worn thin and frustration is high. Just remember not to shoot the messenger and treat others as you would like to be treated. These workers have probably had to put up with a lot of stress leading up to Christmas and treating them with respect and kindness is an easy way to spread joy.

4. DO YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EARLY

Take the stress from local businesses by shopping early. This will help you get organised early at a time where the more popular gifts have not yet sold out. It will also help them by spreading the demand of the goods and services over a wider timeframe. A win win!

5. VISIT THE FARMERS MARKET AND BUY SOME LOCAL PRODUCE.

There are few places that don’t have a farmers market nearby these days. However, if you can’t find one, there are often places where you can purchase locally produced goods. By buying from local producers, you can showcase the talents of your area and give a unique gift to someone who doesn’t live in your community. To find local products, you can search for “farmers markets near me” on Google or check social media. Your local council is likely to promote local events and there might be a local Facebook group you can join to find out more about the local community.

6. BUY SOME LOCAL ARTWORK AS A GIFT

There is artwork everywhere! Hanging on cafe walls, in art galleries or local libraries, even at local craft or farmers markets. Look and you will usually find local artwork on sale somewhere around you. Trusty Google may help if you are looking for someone or something specific. You can find some amazing indigenous artworks for sale on Etsy and Ebay. They may not be local to your area but also need your support. If you a really wanting to find local talent, try your local Facebook groups or search on Marketplace, Most small businesses are now on social media and can be found if you know what you are looking for.

7. TAKE AWAY SOME DELICIOUS LOCAL MEALS

The Christmas season can be a busy time for a lot of people. How about you take a little stress from your life and organise a few take aways over the silly season. Mix it up and try a few different restaurants. Most places offer home delivery these days but if not, a pick up from a local eatery will not take too much time out of your busy schedule.

8. LOOK FOR SOME LOCALLY MADE CHRISTMAS PUDDING

A lot of people have family over for Christmas, and a lot of food is consumed over this time. Make it easier on yourself by looking for locally made Christmas produce. Gumtree or Facebook marketplace may give you some options. Even your local cafes sometimes have this type of food available. They may sell the food they make or supply to their customers so you can taste it beforehand. There are also sometimes special Christmas markets or Christmas events that may give you more options.

9. PUT TOGETHER A HAMPER WITH LOCALLY MADE GOODS

Hampers are a great present for a group, a business client or a family. You usually can have enough variety in the hamper to cater for everyone and can really use some great local produce to make it special. If you are a local service business providing a gift for a local client, what better way to show how you support local business than with a hamper made solely from local goods. You could really use your imagination and work with other local businesses to get a great variety full of unique gifts.

10. SHOUT A MEAL FROM A LOCAL EATERY AS A GIFT

There are a growing number of people that are making sustainable choices and therefore do not encourage physical presents that they may or may not find useful. Sometimes it’s hard to think of what to buy a person who has everything they need. How about an experience rather than a physical gift? Gift them your time! Take them out for a meal and spend some valuable time catching up. This could be the type of present they will remember and cherish for years to come.

11. BUY A PLANT OR GARDEN ORNAMENT FROM A LOCAL NURSERY

The last few years has seen a massive growth in plant sales due to lockdowns, remote working and people wanting to pretty up their homespace. People have found an interest in all things plants and The Gram is alive with greenery. If your friends or family are one of these aspiring horticulturalists, a plant may be the best gift you can buy. Or may be an ornament for their garden or plant shelf. But be careful, some may have over catered in their plantlife and be downsizing, or have all the plants they could ever need, so do a bit of research before you buy.

12. SHOP FOR GIFTS AT A LOCAL WINERY, DISTILLERY OR BREWER.

Gin distilleries have sprung up all over the place over the last few years. Both the country and the cities have seen local distillers or brewers pop up in the most unlikely of places. If you look hard enough you are sure to find one in your local area. Wineries are also multiplying but mostly in regional areas. If you live in the city, I am sure you could find a beautiful region to go for a weekend and support some local business there as well. Christmas is a great time to do some taste testing of a new summer cocktail (or winter hot toddy, depending on where you live).

13. TAG A LOCAL BUSINESS ON SOCIAL

Provide your friends with local gift ideas by posting your purchases on social. This will help promote local businesses and provide some inspo for your followers.

14. LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW

Once the Christmas rush is over and you have some time to relax, go and leave a positive review on Google for all the businesses you shopped from over Christmas. Make a note of the positive experiences you had and explain why a person should shop there. Let them know you appreciate their hard work and long hours.

15. COMMENT, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE AND SHARE

A way to support business without having to spend any money is to show your support on social media. Engage with their business posts and comment when you can. Share their posts to your newsfeed to show others you like this business. Also subscribe to their loyalty club if they have one.

16. BUY SOME MERCH

Gift ideas that support local business – Merch! Not all businesses have merchandise, but if they do, take a look at what they have to offer. This will support them in multiple ways and could be a great way to gift something unique. If you think that gifting merchandise could seem a bit tacky, take a closer look. Local nurseries may have locally made and branded pots, local brewers may offer branded clothing, wineries may have glasses, and cafes may have branded coffee. There is some fabulous merchandise available that is sure to make someone very happy to receive it.

A few ideas for Christmas shopping that will help you provide much needed support for local business and just might get you some unique and memorable gifts along the way.