It’s finally here! That season of festivity and celebration is finally here—Christmas. During this time of year, everyone is busy. We’ll be busy cleaning our homes, we’ll
be busy working and we’ll also be busy with shopping for gifts, food and decor. Where do we go shopping for these products? Who are we shopping from? How do we shop, especially when there’s an ongoing pandemic amidst us? My answer to you is to shop local and small. You’re probably asking, “But, why Marissa?” Well, for
starters—when we shop local and from smaller businesses we are not only supporting that said business but we are also supporting our very own with their dreams and passion.

When we support local businesses, we are also supporting the sustainable economic development of our communities and country as a whole. I’ve been stressing for years on how we unnecessarily import mass-produced products similar to those that our very own Guyanese products right here at home. Many will argue that locally produced products and small businesses might be more expensive than larger entities. That may be true but the experiences may vary. Smaller businesses
tend to add personal touches to their products. I’ve been seeing the determination of smaller businesses on social media with the way they include personalized gift wrapping, festive handwritten notes and even customisable Christmas gift sets when you purchase from them. They tend to get a bit more personal. Smaller businesses even take the time to get to know you and understand exactly what you personally want in gifts for your loved ones.

Now, I am not saying to stop supporting larger entities as a whole. No! What I’m simply saying is that you should at least consider shopping small and local once and far, especially during this holiday season because we often disregard their services and products. We often equate small and local with “lower-end” services and products. The word “local” in itself is misinterpreted by many for the “Guyanese knock off version” of an imported product. We should feel a sense of patriotism
and Guyanese pride when we buy from our own—not embarrassment and disgust. When you support smaller and local businesses you are—encouraging the Guyanese entrepreneurs to flourish, to live beyond stereotypes and to live out their dreams.

If you’re shopping for Christmas decor; there are local craft businesses that will cover your needs. If you’re shopping for beauty and skincare products; visit the small beauty stores around the corner or even shop locally made beauty/ skincare lines. If you need Christmas goodies to eat, there are tons of local cake and food shops around. With that said, I challenge you all this holiday to buy at least one Christmas gift for yourself or someone from a local gift shop/store and share your experience with that product/ service online. Help our smaller business prosper in any way you can—it is the festive season after all.