There’s no denying it, southwest Michigan. Winter is here. The silver lining? So is the holiday season.

I am one of those curmudgeon-y Michigan residents that curses herself this time every year for choosing to live in an area that experiences the fluffy white stuff that turns so quickly from a beautiful blanket of white to a treacherous sheet of slippery danger.

However much I detest snow, I am no Scrooge. Like most, I love the camaraderie and fellowship that comes with the holiday season. I love that so many feel compelled to give unto others this time of year, and I love the sparkly lights, holiday sweets and family gatherings.

I also love to shop, so this time of year is perfect for me.

As the rest of you begin the bargain hunt to find the best price for the best gifts for your loved ones, I encourage you to shop your locally owned merchants. Prices may be a bit higher than you find in department stores, and you will more than likely have to leave the house (unlike when shopping on Amazon — which I admit, is awfully convenient!), but shopping local pays dividends.

Here’s what happens when you shop local:

1. You create local jobs — Locally owned brick and mortar businesses employ local people, often at a higher wage than department stores. Taxes from local businesses also pay for more firemen, teachers, police officers and other service professionals.

2. You embrace what makes your community unique — Most medium- to large-size cities have national businesses, but how many towns can say they have a Yarn on Front, Veni’s Sweet Shop or Flowers by Anna?

3. More money will be kept in your local economy — On average, for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $68 stays in the community, whereas for every $100 spent at a national chain, just $43 stays in the community.

4. Local businesses can give back to local efforts — Sure, national businesses host toy drives and fundraisers this time of year, but what names are on the back of soccer jerseys as thanks for sponsoring a team? Who hosted your chili for the annual chili crawl, or donated to the local scholarship pageant? Nine times out of 10, the answer is a locally owned business. Without customer support, these businesses do not have the resources to make these donations.

5. You make your community a destination — More often than not, local business owners tell me that the bulk of their customers do not live in the city where their business is. Let’s show those out-of-towners what a great place we live in by frequenting the businesses in our hometowns!

I could add at least another 10 points to this list, but you get the idea.

I’m not asking you to buy every Christmas present at a local business this year in lieu of shopping at chains and online shops (although that would be great!). I’m simply asking you to add these shops to your list.

This shopper loves to see the personality of local entrepreneurs shine in their businesses, and I know you will, too!