While it ebbs and flows from year to year, on average Canadians shell out about $1,500 during the holiday season.
Sadly, a growing portion of our holiday (and everyday) spending is going to big boxes and cross-border online retailers. A new report from Vancity finds that in Metro Vancouver alone, up to $1.6 billion in retail sales will be diverted from bricks-and-mortar stores to online shops this year.
Most of those online dollars are going to U.S. online retail giants. While local businesses in B.C. re-circulate $0.45 of every dollar into the local economy, foreign online retailers with no local infrastructure re-circulate only $0.01 on each dollar.
What if we bucked that non-local, online trend and spent more of our holiday dollars locally, redirecting it towards the independent businesses that make our communities interesting and resilient?
On Monday, The Tyee launched its third annual Buy Local contest in partnership with Vancity Credit Union and Loco BC.
It's a sweet way to cheer the local businesses that you love, and be entered into a contest for one of 10 prizes worth almost $4,000 total. More on that below.
To enter, all you have to do is write an online holiday greeting to your favourite local business.
Got more than one favourite? Don't stress. You can write up to five cards highlighting five different businesses.
When you're done writing your card, you can easily share it on Facebook or Twitter, or email it to a friend.
Enter now! It only takes a minute to write a quick card to your favourite local business (or social enterprise, co-op, you get the drift).
Two easy ways to enter: online or Instagram
Alternately, if you're the kind of person who always has their smartphone at the ready, you can enter the contest through Instagram.
Just tag your photo and brief message with #BCBuyLocal AND #TyeeContest, and we'll register your entry.
Don't forget to tag your favourite business's Instagram handle, so they see the love!
This year's amazing prizes
Did we mention the prizes? Hoo, boy!
A $500 Vancity Visa gift card. This Vancity local card can be used anywhere that accepts Visa electronically. But of course, being the enlightened person that you are, you'll surely use it at locally owned businesses, right?
A Whistler getaway for two. This incredible $1,000 Whistler getaway for two includes one night in a deluxe studio at the Summit Lodge, two Ziptrek Eagle Tour tickets, vouchers for two 90-minute floats at West Coast Float, and a vibrant health retreat certificate for the Green Moustache/Richer Health.
A $1,000 Burnaby Heights shopping spree. Experience the many local merchants of Burnaby Heights, like Adele-Rae Florist, Cioffi's Meat Market & Deli, Glenburn Soda Fountain and more.
A $500 Granville Island shopping spree. Tis the season for gift-giving and maybe some gift-getting. Is your wish list ready? You could win a $500 shopping spree to spend on unique, artisan-made products at Granville Island.
A $300 Red Cat Records vinyl prize. Work your way to vinyl aficionado with this Red Cat Records prize: a new Audio-Technica turntable, a $100 gift certificate, Red Cat T-shirt and carbon fibre brush.
A Tofino getaway for two. Enjoy two nights on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, courtesy of Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and Middle Beach Lodge.
Luxurious holiday gift box. The Viva Health organic skin care holiday gift box includes full sizes of Amaze Exfoliating Gel (60 ml), Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum (15 ml) and Amaze Cream (60 ml), and is valued at $139.99.
$100 gift basket. A white and a red B.C. wine from Artisan Wine Shop (as well as a few other food related goodies), candy and chocolates from Olde World Confections, tea from Blue Teapot and spices from Pepperpot.
Thymes Frasier Fir gift basket. From LaLa's, locally owned, operated and loved in both Deep Cove and on Vancouver's Commercial Drive: a collection of Thymes Frasier Fir local candles and scents.
Luxurious edible gift basket. From SPUD, a luxurious basket filled with delectable local, organic and award-winning nibbles and sweets, plus a $50 SPUD gift certificate.
This is not a writing contest
We aren't picking winners based on writing quality. So don't be intimidated! You can make your card anonymous, if you wish.
Even if you write two simple, sincere sentences, your chances are as good as those who compose a sonnet to their local butcher.
Also, think big about what constitutes a "business."
It doesn't have to be where you get your groceries, your clothes, your dinner out, your holiday gifts -- though we want to hear about those, too.
With the holiday season approaching, think of the places that make the season special for you.
Maybe it's a winter farmers market where you stock up on special local food items that transform a special gathering. Or an annual craft fair you'd never dream of missing.
Maybe it's a destination spot where you spend quality time with your loved ones every year. Or a theatre company whose productions are a part of your holiday ritual.
The sky's the limit -- now get writing!
Contest ends midnight Monday, Dec. 14, 2015.
Have fun! And in advance, have a happy Buy Local Week (Nov. 30–Dec. 6), and a great holiday season, from The Tyee.
Keep scrolling to see some of the cards we've pulled from businesses that got more than two entries in the first week for inspiration.
Or go here to browse through all the cards so far. We've got three years of cards to browse through!
Read more: Local Economy
This article is part of a Tyee Presents initiative. Tyee Presents is the special sponsored content section within The Tyee where we highlight contests, events and other initiatives that are either put on by us or by our select partners. The Tyee does not and cannot vouch for or endorse products advertised on The Tyee. We choose our partners carefully and consciously, to fit with The Tyee’s reputation as B.C.’s Home for News, Culture and Solutions. Learn more about Tyee Presents here.
Tyee Commenting Guidelines
Comments that violate guidelines risk being deleted, and violations may result in a temporary or permanent user ban. Maintain the spirit of good conversation to stay in the discussion.
*Please note The Tyee is not a forum for spreading misinformation about COVID-19, denying its existence or minimizing its risk to public health.
Do:
Do not: