Small businesses are vying for your holiday shopping dollars.

Erik Chalhoub here, still having not thought about holiday shopping yet. It’s OK, I have about a month to figure it out, and I will use all of that time.

I’ve been getting inspired while writing our annual shopping guide section, which made its debut for the season in the most recent edition of the Weekly and continues through Dec. 18. I’m also eyeing one or two of the highlighted items for myself.

While putting together these weekly stories and photos, I’ve been casually chatting with the business owners to get a sense of how they’re doing as the holiday shopping season is about to hit a high gear.

The consensus: It’s busy. And that’s a good thing.

To get a sense of the economy as a whole, it seems that it depends on who you talk to. Some say things are great, others, not so much.

But one thing is for certain: Shopping at a small, local business benefits us all in the long run—a study by Civic Economics shows that roughly 48 percent of each purchase at a local business recirculates back into the community, in the form of payroll, profits spent locally by owners and other means. Shopping at a large online retailer, meanwhile, mostly helps a billionaire purchase their next mega-yacht.

Small Business Saturday is Nov. 29. Even though it was coined by a large credit card company designed to get you to use your credit card, it sparked a movement to discover small businesses in your community.

Since 2010, American Express estimates the day has generated more than $210 billion in sales across the country. A 2025 study of 500 small business owners across the country found that 20 percent of their annual revenue comes from Small Business Saturday.

Shopping may be the idea for Small Business Saturday. But many businesses have paired it with other events and activities.

The Holiday Tree for Peace Lighting Ceremony in downtown Salinas takes place at 5pm on Nov. 29. Throughout the day there will be various sales happening at downtown businesses.

Businesses in New and Old Monterey are also getting into the season with various promotions over the weekend.

However you tackle your shopping list this season, remember that where you fulfill it is just as important.