Small-Business Saturday

Is the upcoming American mania to shop (Black Friday, Black Thursday, Online Monday) freaking you out?

photo: Jacques Zammit

Would you rather just stay home and eat leftover pumpkin pie? I don't blame you.

photo: SanFranAnnie

Instead of pushing your way through crazed crowds at the mall, here's a small, sane idea:

It's called "Small Business Saturday," and it's happening all across the U.S. the Saturday after Thanksgiving. American Express is behind it, but don't let that corporate giant keep you from supporting your local little stores.

On November 26, shop (for yourself or somebody on your gift list) at one or two local, independent stores. Support the businesses in your community that make it special to you.

If you do this little thing, you'll be joining a nationwide movement in its second year.

Our little mom-and-pop stores, with their unique local feel, are what make our communities unique and wonderful.

photo: Leo Reynolds

So, go buy a pack of batteries at the local little hardware store. Drop in for a cup of cocoa or java at that hole-in-the-wall coffee joint that is decidedly NOT You-Know-Whobucks. Buy a book for a deserving person from that cute gift shop you've been meaning to check out.

Photo: Randy Pertiet

You and I, and all of us together in this lovely land, could make this holiday season merry for our small merchants, who are the backbone of our economy.

As it says on the Small Business Saturday web page, "When we all shop small, it will be huge."