It doesn’t matter if the weather outside is frightful or if you’re sitting in front of a delightful fire, this time of year reminds us of the importance of being a little nicer and spending more time with loved ones.

Though beautiful, the holiday season can also bring about feelings of stress, loneliness, isolation, grief, and sadness. But did you know it can also be a time for miracles and endless opportunities to instill wonder in one another?

It’s as simple as smiling at someone without expecting anything in return. It’s offering to help someone with a shopping cart full of groceries, inviting a friend to the family dinner, volunteering at a local non-profit, and shopping locally.

When you buy locally, you help create jobs for your friends and neighbors, contribute to improved public infrastructure, and invest in your community socially and economically. It also allows you to meet new people and learn things you didn’t know about your town.

By shopping locally, you also reduce your carbon footprint, receive better customer service, and cut your holiday shopping time by half or more, allowing you to spend more time with family.

Whether it’s stocking stuffers, a gift certificate, a piece of furniture, a donation in memory of someone, a newspaper subscription, or a place to unite with friends and family, there’s always a business in your town that offers it.

Local businesses help bring communities together. They are the bread and butter of our economy. Regardless of which holiday you celebrate, let’s work on not losing that sense of wonder we experience during the holiday season. How about shopping locally – not only once per year, but always?

Happy Shopping! Happy Holidays!