By Jennifer Braddock – Editor
The winter holiday season has been happening for months. Some stores put out the Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas decorations in October.
Time slips away faster than you can type, and the holiday hustle only accelerates. Amid the frenzy of deadlines, there is still one vital investment you can make. You can support our independent artists and local businesses.
When you choose to spend your hard-earned money within your community, you’re not just buying a book or a ticket. You are investing in the heart and soul of the neighborhood.
A Tapestry of Talent
Our local stages are alive with creativity. We see moving performances of community theater productions like our very own Christmas Carol. There are also dazzling local renditions of the Nutcracker. Independent writer book signing events and craft shows are narratives that resonate.
Musicians and dancers deliver performances that stir emotions. These emotions are stirred in ways big-budget productions rarely can. Then there are the unsung local craftspeople and artisans, whose handmade treasures add warmth and authenticity to our daily lives.
The Ripple Effect of Local Spending
Local businesses are more than storefronts; they’re community pillars. Research consistently shows that when you support local businesses, your dollars make a far greater impact. This impact is more significant than when you shop at chain stores or online giants.
For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, a significant part stays within the local economy. Often, this amount is between 60 and 70 percent. This phenomenon, known as the economic multiplier effect, results in more money for local schools. It leads to improved infrastructure and community programs. These programs further enhance our quality of life.
Large chain stores and online retailers often channel profits back to distant corporate headquarters. As a result, only a pitiful percentage of your money is reinvested locally.
By contrast, independent businesses nurture neighborhood talent, stimulate job creation, and foster economic resilience. When you buy a handcrafted ornament, you actively strengthen the community fabric. Enjoying a meal at a local bistro also contributes to this. Additionally, attending an indie art show supports the community.
Why Your Choice Matters
- Cultural Enrichment: Independent artists bring unique perspectives that enrich our cultural landscape. Their innovation and passion add distinctive flavors to our city’s identity.
- Economic Vitality: Keeping money local powers the “multiplier effect.” A significant percentage of your spending is reinvested into community services, local projects, and job creation.
- Community Bonding: Local craft fairs, book signings, or a theater performance create spaces. These events allow neighbors to connect and share ideas. They offer opportunities for the community to celebrate together.
- Sustainable Growth: Supporting local arts ensures your community remains vibrant. It also makes it diverse. This paves the way for sustainable growth that benefits everyone.
Your Call to Action
This year, as the days grow shorter and our schedules busier, take a moment to prioritize your community. Find that cozy local bookstore. Buy tickets for a local theater production. Choose an artisan’s handcrafted gift over mass-produced alternatives. Each small choice contributes to a cycle of community support and shared success.
Let your hard-earned money tell a story of hope, passion, and local pride. Stand with our independent artists and businesses. Together, we can build a richer, more vibrant community that shines even brighter during the holiday season.
Make your move: support local this holiday season and every day thereafter.
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🎨🎭📚 This December, skip the mega-stores and shop where your heart lives—right in your own community. Support local authors, artists, musicians, dancers, craftspeople, and independent bookstores. 🎁 Go to the Nutcracker at the high school. Catch A Christmas Carol at your community theater. Buy a handmade ornament instead of a mass-produced one. Every dollar spent locally is a gift to your entire neighborhood. 💸❤️ #ShopLocal #SupportIndieArtists #BuyLocalArt #IndieAuthors #LocalTheater #HandmadeHolidays #SmallBusinessSeason #CommunityFirst #LocalLove #KeepItLocal #SupportTheArts https://bestchancemedia.org/2025/11/13/keep-the-spirit-alive-support-independent-artists-this-holiday-season-and-beyond/
