Shop Local This Holiday Season

By Jaclyn Youhana Garver

American Express launched Small Business Saturday after seeing small businesses hurting in the 2010 recession, and it has been recognized nationally for nearly as long: In 2011, the U.S. Senate unanimously voted to support the day.

Of course, you don’t need to shop small only on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Giving back to the community throughout the holiday season can “create jobs, boost the economy, and invigorate (our) neighborhoods,” according to Greater Fort Wayne Inc.

Here are just a few of our favorite small businesses, complete with a gift suggestion or two.

Shop: Opal & Ruby

• Kristin Packnett, a managing part ner at Opal & Ruby in Fort Wayne, said that gourmet foods make excellent gifts for party hosts and families. Its Finding Home Farms’ Pancake and Waffle Mix is especially perfect for anyone who loves to entertain—or who loves breakfast 24/7.

• Ornaments can make sweet, sentimental gifts, especially if they’re personalized. Packnett sug gested Opal & Ruby’s Coton Colors ornaments, which come with free personalization. Pick one up for teachers, grandparents, hair dresses or babysitters.

• The Coton Colors Happy Everything Platter comes with one attachment— others are sold separately, for when you’re looking for a future gift idea—to make the platter appropriate for nearly any season or holiday.

Shop: DeBrand Fine Chocolates

• The Classic Collection at DeBrand is its most popular gift, said Audree Beere, DeBrand’s business operations manager. It’s a collection of a dozen DeBrand caramels, fruit creams and traditional favorites like gourmet PBJ and maple nut cream. “It’s the ideal gift for the person who creates quality and tradition,” she said.