Small Business Saturday is one of the best ideas that ever came out of Big Business.  

Conceived and promoted by American Express in the depths of this recession, it was first observed in 2010, on the the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Fitting between Black Friday, and Cyber-Monday, it’s a clarion call for consumers to support local, often independant stores for their holiday shopping.

I think it’s been such a success because, at the heart of it, each of us has probably several links to the local businesses, and the people that run them: people we know who’ve gone out of their way to help their customers, and support the community as a whole.  The shopkeeper who sponsors the Little League team…who chaperones class trips….who hires your kids for their first job. It’s not just the kind thing to support them, it’s the smart thing to do, as their success is the success of the community, spiritually as well as financially.

As a life-long Westchester County resident, and a small business owner who offers local and personalized service, Small Business Saturday resonates with me deeply, on many levels. In years past The Refreshed Home has  highlighted individual businesses, but this year is  starting early, and widening its support of Small Business Saturday.

In the days to come Giving the Gift series will  share gift ideas you may not have thought of, gifts that will delight, and will last beyond “the” day: Experiences and items, memberships and adventures, with links to the Westchester County small businesses and organizations to can get you started.

Please check back for the series>>even share it!>> and consider visiting at least a few of these merchants, and see what they’re about. *BONUS* all are appropriate year-round, for any type of occasion you’re ISO a different and thoughtful gift idea!