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As the holidays approach, foreign factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods. Black Friday delivered the kind of consumerist mania that it usually does, and those who love the holiday season partly because of the excuse to go shopping are taking advantage of the opportunity to purchase all sorts of odds and ends for loved ones or even for themselves at increasingly low prices. But what is the true cost in terms of the American economy? While we know how easy it is to head to any number of Big Box stores located all over the U.S. and spend money on items that may or may not have been produced in America, we urge you to consider a different approach this year. Instead of falling back on convenience, how about supporting locally owned businesses, where you know that the items you purchase support your community in a more personal way.

This past Saturday marked the second annual “Small Business Saturday,” a day that is dedicated to supporting small/locally owned businesses all over the country. It is meant to counter the hysteria of Black Friday by providing members of cities both big and small with an awareness of small businesses that need their support during this busy holiday season. While “Small Business Saturday” may officially be over, there is still plenty of time to take advantage of the opportunity to reach out to your community and "shop small" in order to make a big impact. Here are some suggestions for gifts this season, and some small businesses in the Atlanta area that will provide you with an opportunity to give to your loved ones as well as give back to your community:

Hair care/beauty products (a great gift for those who may want to indulge a little, but normally avoid these kinds of purchases due to a strict budget)
• Helmet Hairworx – With 5 locations in the Atlanta area, no matter what neighborhood you live in, you’ll be able to take advantage of their talented stylists and products. http://helmethairworx.com/

Car detailing/car wash (I love giving this gift to my little brother, because it’s something I know he’ll both want and need)
• Eco Auto Clean – A great place to take your car for personalized, professional service that is also environmentally friendly. http://ecoautocleanatl.com/

Cleaning services (after hosting our extended family for a few days, I know my mom and dad would prefer put their feet up and relax, rather than clean the house)
• Eco Friendly Maid Service – Another environmentally friendly local business that services the Atlanta area, bringing you top quality cleaning services. http://www.ecofriendlymaidservice.com/

Lawn-care (no matter who you buy this for, it’s perfect for the homeowner in your life who never quite has time to get out in the yard as much as they would like)
• Blay’z Turf Pro – An Atlanta-based lawn care service that has been serving up quality lawn care since 2002. http://blayzturfpro.com/

Gift certificate for some rounds of golf at a local golf club (speaks for itself, but I find this to be the perfect gift for friends, co-workers, and family members alike)
• Sugar Creek Golf Course – A Dekalb County Parks and Recreation facility that provides lessons, private events, corporate events, and golf camps for all ages. http://sugarcreekga.com/

Arts, crafts, and clothing (I have a hard time shopping for others without walking away with something for myself when I buy local artwork, jewelry, and clothing. I always love giving these kinds of gifts to my friends because no matter how small the item, the hand-made quality adds a touch of personality and love that you just don’t get from products purchased at chain stores.)
• The Beehive Collective – A boutique that is run by independent, local designers that sells products from clothing to soap to jewelry and so much more. Definitely worth a visit! http://www.thebeehiveatl.com/

These are just a few options for shopping small this holiday season. Even if it takes a little extra time, supporting local businesses is more important than ever this year. The Proven Method reserves the right to remove all content we find inappropriate or offensive.