How to Support Local This Holiday Season: Without Spending More
This holiday season, let’s shift the focus from consumption to connection. At March Media, we believe local businesses are the heart and soul of every community. They’re the familiar faces behind the counter, the makers at weekend markets, and the creatives who turn passion into purpose.
As the holidays ramp up, it’s easy to get caught in the noise: sales, countdowns, and endless “buy now” reminders. We get it (we work in marketing, after all!). But we also believe marketing doesn’t have to be loud to be effective. Sometimes the most meaningful moments are the quiet, intentional ones.
Supporting local doesn’t always mean spending more, it’s about slowing down, showing up, and sharing love in simple, authentic ways.
Here are a few ideas to spark inspiration this season.
✨ Leave a Thoughtful Review
A few kind words on Google or Facebook can make a huge difference. Reviews build trust and help new customers discover local gems. If a business made your day a little brighter this year, tell them!
✨ Share on Social
Love a product, service, or experience? Post about it! Tag the business, share a story, or snap a quick photo. Word-of-mouth marketing might be old-school, but it’s still the most powerful in the digital world, a tag is the new testimonial.
✨ Engage with Their Posts
A like, comment, or share takes seconds, but it helps small businesses reach hundreds more people. Every interaction tells the algorithm (and the human behind the screen), “Hey, I see you!”
✨ Shop Small First
Before heading to big-box retailers, check out what’s nearby. Pop into a local boutique, market, or artisan shop, you might just find something better, with a story behind it.
✨ Buy a Gift Card
Gift cards are the unsung heroes of small business support. Perfect for teachers, friends, or your future self, and they help local shops stay steady through slower months.
✨ Visit Local Markets & Events
Show up in person. Chat with makers, sample treats, listen to live music, these are the moments that make the season special. Local events aren’t just about shopping; they’re about connection.
✨ Collaborate, Don’t Compete
If you’re a fellow business owner, consider teaming up with others in your community. Cross-promote on social, create a holiday bundle, or co-host an event. Collaboration builds momentum, and momentum builds community.
✨ Feature Local in Your Content
Give a shout-out to your favorite coffee shop, florist, or photographer in your next post or newsletter. Highlighting local talent adds authenticity to your brand and helps others shine.
✨ Support Local Causes
Many small businesses give back through food drives, fundraisers, or donations. Ask how you can contribute, even in small ways, it all adds up.
✨ Say Thank You
Never underestimate a simple “thank you.” A handwritten note, DM, or friendly message means more than you might think. Small business owners pour their hearts into what they do, and your appreciation keeps them going.
The Power of Showing Up
The holidays are all about connection, and it starts right here, in our own backyards. Whether you’re shopping small, sharing a kind word, or simply showing appreciation, every little action makes a difference.
This season, let’s slow down, lift each other up, and celebrate the people who make our communities feel like home. From all of us at March Media, we’re wishing you a cozy, connected, and sparkly holiday season. 💙✨
“💡 The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
- Coretta Scott King”
✨ Our Local Love Picks of the Month
At March Media, we’re big believers in showing up for the people and places that make Vancouver feel like home. This holiday season, we wanted to shine a little light on a few local businesses we love, brands that inspire creativity, connection, and care in everything they do.
Here are three of our favorite local businesses this month:
✨ Madison Gift Co
The art of gifting, elevated. Madison Gift Co. creates beautifully customized gifts that feel both luxurious and personal. From thoughtfully chosen products to stunning packaging, everything they make tells a story, one that celebrates connection and appreciation. A perfect reminder that gifting can be meaningful and memorable.
👉 madisongiftco.com
✨ Wild Jasmine Natural Apothecary
Rooted right here in BC, Wild Jasmine crafts small-batch, farm-to-skin products with care and intention. Using botanicals from local farms and ingredients sourced through ethical partnerships, each creation reflects a deep respect for nature and community. It’s slow beauty at its finest, and we love that.
👉 wildjasmine.ca
✨ Cowdog Coffee
If you know, you know. Cowdog Coffee is one of those local spots that just does it right, from their incredible matcha to the friendly faces behind the counter. It’s the kind of place where great drinks meet great community, and we can’t think of a better way to start (or slow down) your day.
👉 cowdog.coffee
Because when we support local, we’re not just shopping, we’re investing in the heart of our community. 💙✨
✨ Want to help your business connect with your community?
March Media’s mission is to help local brands connect with their community and tell their story online in a way that feels authentic. From social media content to brand photography, and everything in between, we highlight what makes your business stand out, creating a presence that’s meaningful, discoverable, and genuinely connected.
