There are so many reasons to love the holidays in the Sioux Falls area.

The Winter Wonderland at Falls Park. The lively Black Friday shopping. The new ice skating ribbon at Jacobson Plaza, or the winter activities at Great Bear.

But our favorite thing about this season is probably watching our community come together to shop and support local.

As a local, community bank, it warms our (very chilly) hearts to see the support of small and local businesses.

So, in that holiday spirit, we asked some of our teammates to share their favorite ways to shop local during the holiday season. Here are their recommendations!

Visit craft shows and local markets

“I plan to buy gifts for my friends and family at vendor holiday craft shows in Sioux Falls,” says Wealth Advisor Kayleigh Tuenge.

Crafts shows and local markets are a wonderful opportunity to support local makers who may not have a storefront.

Plus, you can often find a variety of items such as food, jewelry, décor, home goods, bath and body products, and much more.

One of our favorite markets during the holiday season is the 605 Made Holiday Market, which we proudly sponsor. This year’s will be Saturday, December 6, at Cherapa Place.

A shopping opportunity that’s new this year is the Winter Farmers Market.

Taking place at Mosaic Arts & Events on Saturday mornings, the market offers a variety of familiar vendors throughout the winter months.

Give gift cards from local businesses

Sometimes, the best thing you can give is a gift card.

Even better is a gift card from a local business.

Loan Servicing Specialist Jennifer Christiansen plans to keep her gifting local, she says, “by buying gift cards at the local meat market in Hartford.”

When you need to check someone off your gifting list but just don’t know what to get them, consider a gift card to their favorite local business. Gift cards also make great stocking stuffers.

“I will be buying gift cards for stockings from some local boutiques and coffee shops,” says Mortgage Operations Team Leader Jackie Voeltz.

Eat at local restaurants

Amongst travel, parties, and hosting, the holidays can occasionally feel more chaotic than merry.

For those nights when you’re too tired to cook, perhaps enjoy a meal at a local restaurant instead.

In fact, Treasury Management Team Leader Alex Haverly says his plan to support local is by “eating at locally owned Sioux Falls restaurants.”

If there’s one thing Sioux Falls has in abundance, it’s locally owned restaurants with delicious offerings.

Oh, and don’t forget to treat yourself to local dessert options or coffee shops.

“Coffea has the absolute best holiday drink menu,” says Content Strategist Kara Tesch, “and I need all the caffeine to get through the holiday season.”

Choose small businesses over big-box stores

“This holiday season, I will be shopping local, most likely at the toy store Child’s Play Toys,” says Personal Trust Officer Brooke Dunn. “That’s where I frequent every year in the holiday season. They have the greatest toys, most unique stuff for my kids, and it’s just a happy place.”

Last year, we highlighted Child’s Play Toys owner Nancy Savage and the magic of her local toy store.

With weekly story time, complimentary gift wrapping, personal shopping options, and knowledgeable staff, Nancy’s store is a shining example of the experience locally owned businesses offer compared to big-box stores.

Give the gift of shopping local

We get that everyone’s wallets are tight right now and that national retailers sometimes offer cheaper prices, but the Sioux Falls area is full of entrepreneurs who need our support.

We hope you’ll take to heart the recommendations of our teammates — because when you shop local, it stays local and keeps the holiday cheer in our communities.