Supporting Local This Holiday Season: Teaching Kids the Financial Literacy Behind Buying Close to Home

The holidays are a busy time for families and a big time for spending. It’s also the perfect moment to teach kids an important part of financial literacy that often gets overlooked: the impact of buying locally.

While the holidays tend to spotlight big-box stores, overnight shipping, and endless sales, choosing to support local businesses provides opportunities to discuss money, value, and community impact.

These lessons aren’t just about being kind to your neighbourhood (though that matters too). They help kids understand how every dollar has power, and how spending choices shape the world around them.

💡 Why “Buy Local” Belongs in Financial Literacy

When kids learn about buying locally, they start to understand core financial concepts such as:

1. The Local Money Cycle

Explain how money spent at a small business tends to stay in the community by paying local workers, supporting local suppliers, and helping local communities thrive.

Kids learn that where money goes is just as important as what it buys.

2. Value vs. Price

A locally made ornament might cost more than a mass-produced one, but it teaches:

• Better craftsmanship

• More sustainable materials

• Longer product life

• A story behind the item

Financial literacy isn’t about finding the cheapest item. It’s about understanding what you’re really paying for.

3. Quality Over Quantity

Many local shops focus on durability and uniqueness. One meaningful, well-made gift helps kids learn:

• How to evaluate quality

• How to choose items that last

• Why fewer, better gifts save money long-term

This reinforces intentional spending, one of the core pillars in money-aware consumers.

4. Opportunity Cost

If your child has a limited holiday budget, ask:

“Do you want three small toys from a big store, or one special item from a local maker?”

This teaches trade-offs and how decisions impact overall value.

5. Supporting Community Jobs

Children often don’t realize how many people in their own community rely on local shoppers:

• Bakers

• Artists

• Kid-friendly activity centres

• Fitness, dance & tutoring studios

• Seasonal pop-up shops

• Bookstores

Buying local becomes a lesson in economic awareness.

🌟 Easy Kid-Friendly Ways to Support Local (Without Overspending)

Supporting local doesn’t need to mean spending more. Here are simple activities kids can participate in.

1. Visit a Holiday Market

Let kids browse handmade items, talk to makers, and choose one gift. This builds:

• Communication skills

• Understanding of how things are made

• Appreciation for small businesses

  
  

2. Give the Gift of Local Experiences

These often cost less than material presents and add more value:

• Skating passes

• Local museum visits

• Pottery or art classes

• Kids’ cooking workshops

• Storytime passes at local bookstores

• Dance, gymnastics, or music trial classes

Kids learn that spending on experiences can be more memorable than buying more “stuff.”

3. Make a “Local Gift Basket” Together

Support several local businesses at once by bundling:

• Hot cocoa mix from a local café

• Handmade soap

• Local honey

• A bookmark or stationery from a local shop

Children can help choose the items and learn how small amounts add up.

4. Let Kids Choose a Local Store to Support

Give them a small budget (or let them use part of their allowance) and let them decide:

• Which shop to support

• Who the gift is for

• Why they chose it

Decision-making is foundational to financial literacy.

5. Support Local Without Spending Money

Some of the most powerful lessons don’t cost anything:

• Write reviews for local businesses

• Share their posts on social media

• Make thank-you cards for local shop owners

• Attend free community events

Kids learn that contribution doesn’t always require money.

Helping Kids See the Bigger Picture

Once kids understand the impact of buying local, they start to notice:

• Which businesses are part of their everyday life

• The effort behind handmade goods

• The difference between mass-produced and thoughtfully made

• How their choices influence their community

This awareness helps them grow into smart, conscious consumers, a core goal of financial literacy.

❤️ Final Thoughts

Buying locally isn’t about being perfect or avoiding larger stores altogether. It’s about being thoughtful. When we teach kids how their spending choices support the people around them, we give them something bigger than a gift under the tree, we give them a chance to make a difference.

These small decisions help kids build strong money values, community awareness, and a deep understanding of what it means to invest in the world around them.

And that’s a financial lesson that lasts far beyond the holidays.

Important Disclosure & Disclaimer

© Financial Kid Academy 2025

Educational Only - Not Financial Advice: The information shared by Financial Kid Academy, including all articles, blog posts, recommendations, and social media content, is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered financial, investment, legal, or formal educational advice. The opinions expressed reflect the author’s personal views and experiences. Account types, investor protections, and tax rules differ by country/province/state.

Privacy Notice: We will never request personal or financial information beyond basic contact details collected voluntarily for our newsletter or community updates.

Affiliate Disclosure: Our recommendations in this article include amazon affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. These commissions help us continue creating free educational content for families.

Independence Statement: Financial Kid Academy is not affiliated with any specific product, app, financial institution, or program mentioned.

Every family’s financial situation is unique, and we encourage readers to conduct independent research and choose what best fits their own needs.