Five Ways to Keep Your Holiday Spending Local
The holiday rush makes it tempting to hit “buy now” and call it a day. But when you shop local, every gift carries something you can’t find online — a story, a connection and a piece of Arizona’s character.
“For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, about $73 stays in Arizona — compared to just $43 when you buy from national chains. ”
Regardless of what’s under the wrapping paper, a gift bought locally is truly one that keeps on giving. Because when you spend your money with local businesses, you’re investing in your community — helping your neighbors earn a living, supporting local supply chains and keeping Arizona’s economy strong.
That’s money recirculating through local paychecks, schools and services, helping build a thriving future for our state.
Buying local keeps money circulating in Arizona and strengthens communities from Bisbee to Flagstaff. Here are five easy ways to make your holiday shopping meaningful, memorable and 100% Arizona.
1. Shop Independent Retailers
Skip the big-box routine and hit your neighborhood shops. Instead of ordering from a major online retailer, browse your local bookstore, boutique or gallery — you’ll often find one-of-a-kind Arizona-made treasures you can’t get anywhere else. Holiday markets across the state are packed with local makers and artists offering unique, gift-ready finds.
2. Gift Local Food and Drink
Everyone has that friend or teacher who loves a good foodie gift. This year, fill your baskets with Arizona-grown flavor: artisan sourdough from Proof Bread, hand-rolled tamales from Tucson Tamale, or a six-pack from Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. With so many local producers to choose from, your gifts can taste as good as the good they do.
3. Invest in Experiences Instead of Things
They might be harder to wrap, but local experiences make unforgettable gifts. Treat someone to a day in the desert with passes to the Desert Botanical Garden, a bird-watching trip in Patagonia, or a zip-lining adventure at Out of Africa in Camp Verde. Every ticket supports local jobs and helps keep Arizona’s attractions thriving.
4. Give Local Gift Cards
It’s simple and powerful — a gift for them, a vote for the businesses you want to see thrive. Whether it’s a coffee shop, restaurant or local boutique, gift cards spread the love to the people and places that make your community special.
5. Shop Rural and Tribal Artisans
Arizona’s story is written across both its cities and its rural and tribal communities. Choosing gifts from Indigenous and rural makers helps sustain cultural traditions, support small producers and strengthen under-resourced economies. Look for holiday markets featuring tribal artists or stop by local shops showcasing their work — every purchase helps communities across Arizona grow stronger.
Shopping locally isn’t just about where you spend your money — it’s about who benefits from it. It’s an act of economic self-determination, a way for Arizonans to shape their own future.
This holiday season, let your dollars tell a story that stays home.
Explore the Local First Business Directory to find local shops, makers and experiences near you.
