Tips to Find Local Holiday Shopping Deals for Your Home

The holiday season is approaching, and you may already be planning to find local deals on things you need for your home.

Instead of heading straight to your browser to shop online at big-box stores, consider shopping at small businesses for your holiday needs. Not only will you help support local retailers, but you may also find something unique through smaller vendors that will stand out. From accent items to larger fixtures, you can feel good about discovering new finds while supporting local shops.

Ready to set off to find the closest vendor that sells holiday-themed items? Before you do, consider these tips to make your search for the perfect touches smooth and budget-friendly.

Your first step when shopping for the holidays should be to make a list of what you already have, and what you need, so you don't spend unnecessarily. When it comes to furniture for your space, start by unpacking any items from storage. Then, go through them and identify any items that need replacing or upgrading. You should also be mindful of any gaps that you'd like to fill.

Create a list of the furniture or items you'd like to purchase from this evaluation, and write down how much you'd like to spend on each item. If you're shopping locally for others this season, make sure to add those items to that list. This list will help you stay focused and avoid overspending.

For example, you may find that some of the holiday furniture or items you use on the exterior of your home need to be replaced. Items like wreaths, holiday-themed benches or chairs, and outdoor lighting tend to have a shorter life span due to snow, ice and rain. You may also feel it's time to replace items that are dated and no longer on trend. Consider keeping these pieces for the future, however, because they may come back in style. If you are planning to let any items or furniture go, donate them to a local charity to give them new life in a new home.

After you've finalized your shopping list, research which local retailers carry the furniture and items you're looking for. Searching online or using social media is often a great place to start. Finally, consider shopping on Small Business Saturday, which in 2024 falls on November 30. This day is in place to promote small businesses, many of which offer one-day promotions or discounts to encourage deal seekers to shop local and save money.

If you want to shop locally this holiday season, you have multiple options. For in-person shopping, you can visit local retailers and browse at your leisure, on your schedule. A second option to shop locally is to attend a local holiday market. Holiday markets are organized events that typically draw dozens or even hundreds of vendors, depending on the event. They may be outdoors or in a large indoor venue, and there may be an entry fee. Holiday markets provide an excellent way to visit many vendors in a single trip, and you're still likely to find unusual or unique items (like wreaths that are hand-made from real pine bows) that have your neighbors asking where you got them.

If visiting a crowded market isn't your thing, you may be more comfortable browsing small businesses online. If you already know the name of the local business you want to support, you can head to their website directly. If you don't know where to look, Etsy is a great place to start. This website offers a diverse selection of holiday items and furniture, all created by artisans. You can find local businesses by filtering by location to include your state or even your city.

Many small business proprietors are also the creators of the goods, so if you want something custom or made-to-order, a local business may have the product you're looking for. Personalized furniture can make an amazing holiday gift, and even become a family heirloom that is passed down for years to come.

In addition to personalized products, small businesses may offer more personalized attention and a high degree of customer service. This can help guide you toward holiday furniture that meets your budget or your needs, and can make for an enjoyable experience as well.

Shopping locally for your home for the holidays is an excellent way to make your festive season memorable. There are many ways to shop locally, from a drive around your neighborhood to a holiday market to a targeted online search.

Whichever path sounds right for you, you can stick to a budget by evaluating your existing holiday items, deciding in advance precisely what needs to be replaced or added, and making a list of what you intend to buy.

Happy shopping!