Best Buy is selling 99” plasma televisions for $500. Heck, Wal-Mart is selling Blu-ray players for -$14.99. Or so it seems. And what’s to stop you from doing all your holiday shopping at the big chains? We’re in a down economy and ever dollar saved helps, right? Actually, you may not be saving as much money as you think by throwing money at the mega-giants. One of the best ways to help your economy is to buy local. When you buy at Wal-Mart do you think those profits disburse right back out into your local economy? Nope, they jet over to Arkansas where suits decide how they’re best distributed among the plebeians. On the other hand, buying local keeps that money flowing around your town, revitalizing your area and eventually even helping you and your freelance writing business. (Because that’s what the holiday season is all about, right? :p)

Buy from stores that still use THIS cash register.

Seriously though, an article in Time Magazine cited a study that found that twice as much money spent at local businesses stays in the community when compared to money spent at chains.

I know what you’re thinking. Have I seen the prices at that boutique downtown? But actually, price differences fall to the wayside when you look at the big picture. Spending money in the local economy leads to local employment, which leads to more enterprise, which leads to a thriving local economy. Also, lower transportation costs are greener. See those big Wal-Mart 18-wheelers on the road all the time? Buy local and you’ll see them less and less. Plus, there’s no substitute for the relationships you build with merchants when buying local. Who knows? Those guys will probably need freelance writing services sometime or another.

In a nutshell, if you buy from a local business, chances are that they put that money right back into the local economy. They may need to purchase new supplies from a local vendor, purchase brochures from a local printer, purchase a website from a local web designer, etc. And the merchant and her employees take the money they’ve earned straight out into your local economy. As Time Magazine said, money is like blood. It needs to circulate to keep the body (i.e. the local economy) healthy.

In the spirit of the season, here are 10 ideas for buying local:

1.) Gift Certificate to a Locally Owned Restaurant – In this economy, going out to eat is a luxury. And so when people do get a little extra cash they often stick with what they know (i.e. chain restaurants) so they can be sure they’ll get bang for their buck. Buy your friends gift certificates to locally owned restaurants and get them out of their dining shells!

2.) Jewelry from a Local Artisan – Google your location +”jewelry maker” or head out to an arts and crafts fair to find these folks. They often sell their wares in local boutiques, as well. Locally made jewelry will often be unique, too! Don’t confine yourself to jewelry. Nip into an art gallery the next time you’re downtown and find out who your local painters, sculptors and woodworkers are, too.

3.) A Cleaning or Personal Organizing Service – Who couldn’t use a good deep cleaning in their house or a new organizational system for a room or two? Contact a local cleaning or organizing business and find out if they offer pre-paid services or gift certificates. Plus, low-income women – one of the groups hardest hit by layoffs – are starting businesses like these in droves. You could do a lot of good here – for your giftee and a local vendor.

4.) Locally Produced Food – Jams, jellies, salsas, sausages, cupcakes, beer, etc. Somewhere in your town somebody is brewing up something tasty right this second. Google, or head to a farmer’s market (sadly, usually closed during winter) or a locally owned restaurant. They can often put you in touch with the best local food vendors. And believe me – once you go local food, you never go back. (Whole Foods is another place to pinpoint who your local food vendors are, but try to buy straight from the source rather than through the mega-chain.)

5.) A Book by a Local Author – Now that more and more people are self-publishing, authors are becoming their own marketers and sellers. Even major publishing houses are slashing marketing budgets, meaning that there may be some great books by local authors that you’ve never heard of. It doesn’t help that newspapers are firing their book reviewers and small, local bookstores are going out of business. To find local authors, visit bookstores and ask for the “Local Author” section, visit book festivals or street festivals, or attend readings at indie bookstores. In my state, we have the Georgia Author of the Year Awards where many local authors are honored. Your state may very well have something similar. Sites like GoodReads.com and BookArmy.com also commonly have forums dedicated to local and regional authors.

6.) Music from a Local Artist – Sure it’s sometimes hard to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes from local music, but there are a lot of great musicians out there that are just waiting for their big break. Until then, they’re selling CD’s after their shows or out of the hatchback of their Chevettes. Visit local music blogs, ask a scenester friend, or better yet, head out to local shows yourself to find the most giftable local music.

7.) Local Web Hosting – It seems like everybody is in the web hosting game these days. Instead of putting more money in GoDaddy or 1and1’s pocket, check out a local host. Web hosting is a bit of a geeky gift, but I’m sure there are people on your list that will appreciate it.

8.) Membership to an Arts Organization – Stella Adler said, “Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.” Sadly, arts funding is one of the first things to get slashed during a recession, and even private funders are giving fewer donations and grants to the arts these days. (Thanks, Bear, Sachs, Madoff and cronies.) If you want to keep the arts alive in your community, you need to patronize them. Buy an art lover a season pass to a local playhouse, or a membership to a locally-owned gallery or museum. Do it for your soul.

9.) Local Plant Life – You can’t get much more local than a tree species that has been growing in your area for thousands of years. Native plants adapted to your area for a reason, and when you plant them, they will need less watering and high-maintenance care than that snazzy Asian shrub that wilts every time you talk to it. Head to a local nursery and ask employees there what local species the gardener on your list will enjoy.

10.) A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Subscription – With community supported agriculture, you buy a “share” in a farmer’s crop. If the crop goes well, you get a basket of fresh fruits, veggies and other agricultural products produced on the farm every week during the growing season. The only downsides are that you see these for sale more often in the spring time and that CSA subscriptions usually start at $600+. (On the other hand, your recipient’s produce needs would be all taken care of for the entire summer.)

Do you have anything to add to this list? Please let me know in the comments. Happy shopping!