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Gift-giving season is upon us — that time each year when we all search for the perfect present to make our loved ones’ holidays a little brighter. If you haven’t found something to put a bow on yet, there’s a great case to be made for shopping small and locally.

Just like at big-box stores, you can find great deals during the holidays at small, local businesses, and your purchase will probably be more meaningful. Small Business Saturday is on Nov. 30 this year, and local businesses are sure to have deals galore.

Being a trusted partner to so many local businesses means we at Ascend have seen the good that comes from community members shopping locally, especially during the holiday season. Here are just three of the many benefits you can expect from shopping locally this year:

Fostering a Better Community

The obvious benefit of shopping at small, local businesses is the money you spend stays in your community. Local businesses are vital parts of small communities like the ones Ascend serves in Middle Tennessee, and when you support those businesses, they’re able to turn around and invest that revenue back into your community by adding jobs or giving back to local causes.

Also, local businesses are usually owned by local people, and buying from them helps to foster a better sense of community where everyone supports each other. Those small business owners care about their products and clientele on a personal level, leading to better service and a higher quality of goods.

Buy Unique Gifts Made with Better Quality

Small businesses often sell one-of-a-kind gifts you won’t find anywhere else, and they may even use locally sourced goods in their products. That means if you buy from them, you could double-dip in your local support.

Not only do local businesses sell unique items, but small business owners are usually experts in their craft who truly care about the products they’re selling and the people they’re selling to. If you have a question or concern about their products, you’ll know exactly who to contact and have confidence they have expert knowledge about the items you’re inquiring about.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

If you buy locally, your goods don’t have to be shipped across the country or internationally, helping to lower your carbon footprint and saving you money on shipping costs. It’s truly a win-win-win scenario — you not only boost your local economy by buying things made by your fellow community members, but you’ll also save money while helping the environment.

At Ascend, we strongly believe that helping local businesses succeed has a positive impact on the communities we serve. These businesses are a vital piece of the community, providing not only jobs and revenue, but also a sense of togetherness where business owners and their employees can achieve their goals and dreams.

Ascend has a dedicated team of business banking experts who understand the local market and a mission to help local business owners find the right solutions for their company so they can achieve financial success. We’re proud to offer competitive savings and checking accounts, high-interest business money market and certificate accounts that have great guaranteed return rates, and other services like credit card and payroll processing.

As you’re picking out your holiday gifts this year, remember to shop small if you can. There are real benefits not only for you and your wallet but also for your neighbors. It’s an easy way to spread holiday cheer in your community.

Before you stop by your favorite local retailer this holiday season, give yourself a little more peace of mind while you shop by utilizing the Card Control feature in Ascend digital banking. You can easily set up spending limits that alert you when you’ve exceeded a certain amount, disable or enable your card if it’s misplaced or left at a store, and stay on top of your finances from anywhere, anytime with the Ascend app. Not a member yet? Visit ascend.org to apply online or stop by one of our 28 Middle Tennessee locations.

Barbara Sims is an Ascend Manchester Branch Manager. Ascend is federally insured by the NCUA.