I love online shopping as much as the rest of you. There are times that I feel like I may need an Amazon Prime intervention. Anyone else with me here? As a RI family photographer, I’m often ordering things online for my business (as well as stuff that is just for fun…hello, cat and dog toys.)

That said, there is so much of my shopping, both holiday and year round, that is kept local. In this age of ordering things from our phones in two seconds and having them next day, it’s easy to forget that there are benefits to doing some of that shopping close to home. Read below for four reasons to shop local this Christmas (and the rest of the year, too!)

You’re putting money right back into the community.
When you shop at locally-owned establishments, you’re paying the mortgages and rents of local residents and putting food on their tables (not to mention keeping their businesses open, so that your town is not full of empty storefronts! This is a stark contrast to online shopping, when you often have no idea who your money is going to and you don’t have a personal connection with the proprietor, as you often do locally.
Returns are easier.
Let’s face it, there are always going to be a few gifts that need to be returned or exchanged. It’s SO much easier to just bring something back to a local store than it is to return an online purchase. No need to pack something up in a box, tape it up, print a shipping label, and bring it to the post office or UPS or Fedex drop-off.
Much better customer service.
If you have a question or concern about a product or service at a local establishment, you get to actually talk to a real person. A real person who knows what they are talking about, even. No calling a 1-800 number where you’re just a number at a (possibly overseas) call center. Just actual, friendly help.
It’s better for the environment.
But I have to get in my car and drive to the store, you say. I don’t have to do that with online shopping. How is getting in my car better than not leaving my house? Just think about how your package traveled to you, especially if it was expedited shipping. It likely went on a plane and a bunch of big trucks and traveled quite far. Its carbon footprint is quite a bit more than driving your car nearby. If you live within walking distance of local stores, even better!

If you’ve got Christmas shopping left to do, consider keeping your dollars local.

You’re putting money right back into the community.

Returns are easier.

Much better customer service.

It’s better for the environment.

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