Home for the Holidays: How to Shop Local and Strengthen Our Texas Communities

The holidays are a magical time of lights, laughter, and (let’s admit it) a little bit of a shopping frenzy. At The Sales Team, we believe the season’s greatest joy isn’t just in ticking names off your gift list—it’s in lifting up the heartbeat of our towns: our local businesses. 

In Texas, when we support small shops, cafés, artisans, and service providers right here in our own backyards, we’re not just buying things—we’re strengthening our community, investing in neighbors, and preserving the unique flavor of our towns. So this season, let’s make our dollars carry the spirit of generosity all the way home.

 

Small Business Saturday & The Numbers Behind Local Shopping

Small Business Saturday (November 29th) is more than a catchy hashtag or a chance to sleep in after Black Friday—it’s an intentional day (and mindset) to rally around the mom-and-pops that color our streets, sponsor our youth teams, and fill local storefronts with heart. 

So, why does supporting local businesses matter? For one, the numbers speak volumes. According to a recent article, local businesses help keep money local by circulating sales tax revenue into essential services—your police, fire, streets, and trash pickup. Locally owned shops often support community nonprofits, choose local suppliers, and reinvest in hometown projects. 

Beyond infrastructure, shopping local helps preserve the personality of our towns. Chains and online behemoths tend to flatten uniqueness; independent businesses fill our neighborhoods with quirks, stories, and a sense of place. 

 

Here Are 6 Ways to Support Local Businesses:

Shop Local for Gift Cards

One of the easiest ways to support this holiday season is to buy gift cards from local businesses. For shops, salons, cafés, or services (massage, music lessons, whatever your Texas neighborhood has to offer), gift cards guarantee that they’ll see your support even if they don’t redeem it until January or beyond. Plus, gift cards often bring in new customers who may return or spend above the card’s value—that’s extra revenue and foot traffic. 

Also, from a gifting perspective: gift cards are among the most flexible presents out there. They let your friends or relatives choose what they truly want—and often lead them to a new favorite shop they wouldn’t have tried otherwise.

 

Invest in Subscriptions or Memberships from Local Businesses

Subscriptions or membership models are a clever way to provide sustained support. Think of a local yoga studio, a boutique wine club, a farmer’s market “insider” box, or a co-working space. When you subscribe or maintain a membership, you’re giving that business predictable, recurring income—which is gold during a time when cash flow can be tight. Many small businesses rely on that steady baseline revenue to cover rent, inventory, or staff.

Also, even during slower months, members often receive perks (discounts, priority access, special events), which means your investment is often rewarded beyond the base service. And when the holidays roll around, renewing that membership or gifting it to someone else means doubling down on local impact.

 

Order Takeout or Delivery

We all know holiday entertaining and busy schedules can leave less time for cooking. Here’s where ordering takeout or delivery from locally owned restaurants becomes a holiday hero move. When you choose your neighborhood taco truck, family diner, or local barbeque joint instead of a national chain, a much larger proportion of that money goes back to your neighbors (owners, cooks, delivery folks). According to a US study, local eateries return nearly 79% of revenue to the community, while chain restaurants tend to return just over 30%. 

Plus, during peak seasons, local restaurants often struggle to match delivery technology or marketing budgets—but that’s where our combined patronage makes a difference. And don’t forget: when you pick up or order directly (not through a massive 3rd party), more of your money avoids hefty service fees that siphon value away from the local owner.

 

Tip a Little Extra

Here’s a small habit with big impact: tip more generously during the holidays. Whether you’re getting your coffee at a local café, hiring a florist, getting your nails done, or enjoying a delivery, adding just a few extra percentage points can make a meaningful difference. The service industry often lives transaction to transaction; those extra dollars might help an employee cover utilities, groceries, or gas. It’s a way to share the holiday spirit directly with the people who make your experiences more pleasant.

Beyond the financial, a warm note or extra smile can boost morale during busy, stressful months. Kindness counts, especially when margins are thin.

 

Write a Positive Review

One of the most powerful gifts you can give—and it’s (nearly) free—is writing a glowing online review. Whether on Google, Yelp, Facebook, or a local directory, a five-star review with a few kind words helps potential customers discover a business and gives credibility to that business in search rankings. Many shoppers check reviews before committing; your positive experience becomes part of the local reputation-building process.

Bonus points if you share a photo, tag the business on social media, or mention what you loved (customer service, ambiance, quality). That extra exposure helps in ways that ripple far beyond your own purchase.

 

Handcrafted Items and Local Experiences

Finally, one of the most meaningful ways to support local is by buying handcrafted goods or local experiences. Whether that’s a piece of art, a hand-poured candle, custom jewelry, a pottery workshop, or a local concert/theater ticket—these are things only your community can offer. They’re gifts with stories attached, not mass-produced objects.

By choosing handmade and local experiences, your dollars support the creators, artisans, performers, and venue owners in your own region. That helps preserve cultural vitality, keeps creative folks in town, and ensures your region remains a place where unique things happen. Plus, you often get deeper satisfaction delivering a gift tied to a story: “I got this from the studio down the street, made by someone named Maria who grew up two towns over.”

 

This holiday season, let’s make our giving not just about gifting, but about growing. When you opt for shopping local. you aren’t just spending. You’re investing in your community, your neighbors, and the place you call home.

As another local business here in the Midland/Odessa area and Johnson County, The Sales Team Realtors are here to share our knowledge and promote growth around our community. If you want to learn more about the area or start your home search in your dream neighborhood, we’re always here to assist!