Holiday shopping might look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it and support local stores and vendors. Whether you’re on the hunt for a gift for that special someone, or locally-grown produce for your next Instant Pot meal, check out these four cost-effective tips for shopping local.

Buy Handmade

When shopping locally, you’ll often find more handmade items than not. While some handmade items can come at a cost, it’s likely because they are much higher quality than something you might buy that is manufactured largely and sold at a big box store. When local shops or markets sell handmade items, they can cut out the middleman (a larger retail giant) and sell to you, the buyer, for less. Favorite handmade items to purchase include furniture, beanies or hats, lotions, candles, and jarred goods like honey or jam.

Visit a Farmers Market

Not only can you save a pretty penny by shopping at a farmers market, you can also enjoy the fresh tastes that come out of your own local farms.Take advantage of that farm-to-table freshness, and reap the benefits of quality produce at an affordable price — often way less expensive than you can find at a grocery store. Bon appétit. Check out the Brunswick Farmers Market on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week for your local Georgia goodness.

Discounts & Coupons

Before making a big purchase, check out your local shopping ads for special discounts. Seek out coupon books or local magazines — many include ads that offer a coupon or “mention xyz” for a discount.

Ask & You Shall Receive

Small business owners take great pride in their store, and their relationship with their customers. If you’re really wanting to purchase from a small shop but can’t justify the price, it doesn’t hurt to ask for a discount. Oftentimes, small shops would be happy to honor a discount in return of a happy customer.

While in-store shopping might not be as common this year, sometimes it is the best way to get the big picture while shopping, and really see and touch your options. Here’s to a healthy and happy shopping season, and one that’s good on your wallet and supports the local economy, thanks to these four cost-effective tips for shopping local. Check out the Odyssey Lake blog for more lifestyle tips and updates on local events.