The season of giving has finally arrived! Even though Christmas shopping will most definitely look a little bit different this year, everyone is still eager to deliver amazing Christmas presents. Rather than bustling around crowded malls and retail stores, consumers should turn to alternative methods to find the perfect holiday gifts for their loved ones this year. That is why we should consider shopping at local and small businesses this Christmas. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, small businesses have been hit extremely hard due to the economic depression and government mandates. According to a statement, nearly 40 percent of these businesses were forced to shut down within the first few months of the COVID-19 outbreak (Steven Hamilton, From Survival to Revival: How to Help Small Businesses through the COVID-19 Crisis). Today, small business owners face major uncertainty as they struggle to maintain their services, while larger and more well-known competitors are thriving. With that, it is important to support these small businesses this holiday season as a way to give back to your community during the season of giving and, in some cases, as a convenient way to buy your Christmas presents.

In Yorba Linda, there are several small, local businesses to purchase from that you can help support this holiday season. Just down the street from Yorba Linda High School is the YLS Bakery & Cafe, where you can choose from a large variety of breakfast foods such as burritos, smoothies, bagels, and more. Kendall Cook (12) claims that she loves going out for breakfast at the YLS Bakery & Cafe and says that “the breakfast burritos are the best!” For dinner, head on over to the Apola Greek Grill in the Yorba Linda Town Center. This newly built greek restaurant is the best place to eat the most authentic greek gyro in the comfort of your own community. Also, if you are craving something sweet, pick up some dessert from The Cookie Element, which is located in the Yorba Linda Station Plaza. The Cookie Element sells almost any baked goodie from customizable cookies, to cake pops, to macaroons, and cookie cakes. This winter break, consider stopping by at these locations. Gift cards from YLS Bakery & Cafe or Apola Greek Grill would make great holiday gifts for anyone who has an appetite, or buy some cookies from The Cookie Element as a present for someone with a sweet tooth!

If you are looking to shop small businesses to find the best holiday gifts for friends and family in retail, online shopping is the way to go. Aside from being unique and adorable, small businesses usually focus more on sustainability and good quality customer service. Therefore, by shopping through small businesses, you are being treated with the most respect, all while causing less damage to the environment. Also, shopping online is an easier and more convenient way to put yourself at less risk during the pandemic.

As small businesses continue to struggle, we should let the holiday spirit motivate us to help support these independent services and give back to our community by buying from smaller managements that are local. So, this Christmas, shop small!