6 Reasons to Support San Diego this Holiday Season

San Diego’s local businesses are the pride of our community. Now more than ever, they need our support, so make it a goal to buy local as you shop for gifts. Here are six reasons to remember your favorite local companies this holiday season.

1. Many gifts won’t be given in person, so it’s doubly important they feel personal. Celebrations have looked different this year and the holidays are no exception. Once again, my family has scrapped traditions that simply won’t work in a pandemic. Namely, overburdening my mother’s sofas with far too many bodies while passing an endless procession of cookies, presents and cocoa—all while laughing heartily enough to fall into each other. Since we’ll be trading our large, close-knit gatherings for small, virtual ones, I’m counting on meaningful, local gifts to make this tradition feel special.

2.Human interaction is so important. Shopping locally provides an excellent opportunity for brief, physically distanced conversations—exactly the type that are relatively safe right now. Embrace the power of these small connections! During a recent shopping trip, my son met a friendly retail associate who helped him find justthe-right-thing. She complimented his favorite shirt and listened to his stories. He smiled the whole way home.

3. Our favorite businesses need our support. There is no guarantee that the shops in your neighborhood will survive the current crisis. While the city’s Small Business Relief Fund has managed to assist an impressive 2,000 San Diego businesses during the pandemic, an additional 8,000 have applied for grants that may never come. Spending locally has never been more important. Small businesses are often the first to give back to the communities they serve, sponsoring youth sports and donating to school fundraisers. Let’s not forget them in their time of need.

Don’t forget local restaurants! Support restaurant owners by purchasing gift certificates as gifts or having a meal delivered to friends and loved ones in the month of December.

4. It’s easier than ever to buy local. The pandemic has motivated local businesses to adapt. Many have embraced faster, safer and more convenient shopping options to meet the needs of busy customers. You might be surprised to find your favorite shop now offers online ordering with local delivery or curbside pickup. Take a look!

5. Local gifts have local character. The products and services available in our beloved neighborhoods are often an expression of who we are as a community. A local gift can be a symbol of solidarity when given to someone who lives nearby. When gifted to someone far away, these items serve as a lovely reminder of the memories they’ve made here in the past.

6. It’s better for the environment. When we buy products close to home, they don’t require as much packaging as items shipped from far away. In addition, local purchases require less fuel and fewer transportation emissions to reach our homes. Shopping local is good for our communities and good for the earth!

Ready to start shopping? Check out San Diego’s Holiday Gift Guide that supports local businesses. www.sandiegofamily.com/magazines

Anne Malinoski is an award-winning writer who lives in Santee with her husband and two boys.