Why shopping local is the best for the holidays

• Customers can find plenty of deals on Nov. 26 at shops in Norton Commons in Prospect
• Work The Metal is offering first 50 customers on Small Business Saturday gift cards to use in the store

While national retail chains are stocking the shelves for the annual day-after-Thanksgiving shopping bonanza known as Black Friday, local shops have their sights set on the weekend. Small Business Saturday falls this year on Nov. 26.

"Saturday has become a bigger shopping day for us than Black Friday, and has been, consistently, over the last three or four years," said Jack Mathis, co-owner of Work The Metal, a lifestyle store at 1201 Story Ave., in The Butchertown Market.

Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday encourages consumers to support their local economy.

Spending your holiday dollars in the shop down the street provides jobs for people who live in the area and supports local vendors.

"It keeps your money close by and I really think people in Louisville and Southern Indiana understand the importance of doing that," Mathis said.

When consumers choose to spend their holiday budget in stores owned by locals, it also means that area businesses can contribute each year to the community through volunteering, in-kind contributions and cash donations.

Shopping locally offers some great opportunities for consumers, too. If you prefer to find unique and one-of-a-kind items to give as gifts, small shops can't be beat. Sales, giveaways, free gift wrapping and the convenience of extended business hours are some of the incentives shoppers enjoy when they keep their dollars close to home.

Small businesses throughout the community use the day as a way to connect with customers and it's worth checking social media to see what type of specials your favorite shops will offer.

Stroll through the shops in Norton Commons in Prospect on Nov. 26 and shoppers will find deals like 20 percent off all jewelry at Cale & Cole. 7 Southern Giraffes, a boutique that carries apparel for women and young children, is taking 15 percent off all items in the store and offering door prizes.

Another boutique, Something Blue, will take 20 percent off your entire purchase during Small Business Saturday. And all that shopping is sure to work up your appetite. Stop by the Tea Station Bistro to take $5 off your purchase of $30 or more.

Back downtown at Work The Metal, the first 50 customers on Small Business Saturday will receive gift cards to use in the store, which can range in price from $5-$50. Mimosas and Krispy Kreme doughnuts will also be served and other giveaways will be featured throughout the day.

"It feels like the holiday season on Small Business Saturday, " Mathis said. "People come into the store in a great mood and they enjoy a doughnut and a drink, maybe win a door prize, and they know they are supporting local businesses."

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or (502) 582-4336.

FIVE HOLIDAY SPENDING TIPS

Before you head out the door to do any shopping this holiday seasons, Rachel Cruze, personal finance expert and New York Times best-selling author of "Love Your Life, Not Theirs," offers five holiday spending tips to help you make a plan as you head into the hustle and bustle of the season. 

1. Make a plan for your money

This seems simple, but it’s so important. Without a budget, it’s easy to hop around from shop to shop at the mall, spending $10 here and $20 there. Before you know it, you’ve spent a few hundred dollars. With a budget, you’re creating a plan for your money before you spend it. Simply write down the total amount of money you want to spend and how much you plan to spend on each person. 

2. Pay with cash

Using cash will help you stay on track with your budget and prevent you from overspending. Once you’ve created your budget, cash out the total amount you plan to spend on gifts and keep it in an envelope or clip specifically for Christmas. Once the money is gone, stop spending. Don’t make bad decisions that you end up regretting come January.

3. Don’t spend yourself broke

Just because a pair of shoes is on sale doesn’t mean you have to buy them. Should you look for good deals? Absolutely. Should you pay attention to discounts? Of course. But you don’t need to stretch your budget just because something is “on sale.” Don’t let Christmas sales turn into a reason to justify overspending and using credit cards.

4. Give a little … until you can give a lot 

Giving is the most fun you can have with your money, especially during the Christmas season when it’s easy to find opportunities to give. Look for organizations that allow you to “adopt” a family or another child and provide gifts for them. Christmas is the perfect time to provide help and hope for those who need it most.

5. Relax

Seriously, just relax. Remember, this is just stuff. Perspective is your friend. If you don’t get that computer, television or game console, it’s not the end of the world. Don’t get so caught up in shopping and finding a deal that you lose sight of why you’re shopping and giving gifts in the first place.