Shopping Locally with #yegsanta

Shop Local / By
image created by independentwestand.org to promote their American shop-local campaign, via SF's Shift Local
Image created by independentwestand.org to promote their American shop-local campaign, via SF’s Shift Local

Last December, we used the #yegsanta hashtag on Twitter to talk about why shopping at local independently owned businesses is important, and to encourage people to share their local holiday shopping tips with others looking for gift ideas. As Breanna wrote last year,

“It likely comes as no surprise that we at The Local Good are encouraging you to shop local this holiday season! This means: shopping at local, independent Edmonton retailers instead of big-box stores and, wherever possible, buying handmade products by artists, designers, makers and creators here in Edmonton.” 

This year, we want to do it all over again — and take it a bit farther. We encourage you to publicly pledge to shop local for some (or all!) of your gifts, and for a fun twist on the usual shop-local pledge, we invite you to post your Shop Local Selfie on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! Take a photo of yourself with your purchase while shopping with your favourite local business or maker, tag their account, and use the hashtags #yegsanta and #shoplocalselfie. (Bonus points if you have a business logo, storefront or owner in the photo!)

By shopping at a local independently owned business, you’ll be taking advantage of their passion and expertise, helping to sustain the walkable shopping areas where they’re located, keeping three times the money in Edmonton, and helping to make our city more resilient and more unique.

By taking a #shoplocalselfie, you’ll be sharing the local love, helping to spread the word about great local businesses, and looking good doing it.

Everybody wins!

Credit where it’s due: our #shoplocalselfie project was inspired by this campaign in Illinois.

P.S. Check out these great posts that make it easier for you to shop locally in Edmonton this year:

  1. Check out our 2013 #yegsanta Storify of local gift shops and ideas, and our comprehensive 2014 craft fair roundup.
  2. Local bloggers 204 Park have put together an ever-so-stylish all-Edmonton gift guide.
  3. Kristin Zabos posted a timely reminder of why shopping locally and ethically is important for the holidays.