3 Small Businesses I Supported in the Tri-Cities, 2 I Can't Wait to Support Online, and 1 Thing

Unless you were hiding under a rock (or still suffering from a massive turkey coma), you know that today was Black Friday, the day that got its name for when businesses are definitely "in the black" as Christmas shoppers rush to stores for discounted gifts. Usually, my attitude towards Black Friday is this:

Or this:

Now, with that said, I definitely don't look down on the people who are into a good deal and plan out their Black Friday routes. I have friends who have mastered getting all of their shopping for Christmas (or even for the whole year!) done in one day, and I admire them for it. I've just never been the type to wake up at the crack of dawn or camp out for the sales. However, when I saw one of my favorite Tri-Cities businesses come up with a deal I didn't want to pass up, I had to go for it!

I started my morning with daily Mass (because that made me feel better about participating in this secular spectacle) and walked to one of my favorite local restaurants, Frost Me Sweet. I knew from their social media that they were doing 12 cupcake coupons for the price of 10. As someone who always has a hankering for a good cupcake and loves celebrating friends' birthdays with a special sweet treat, I thought this was a good deal. I was expecting a line out the door, but I lucked out. I was the first one there!

As I was walking back to my car, I noticed a long line out the door at Tumbleweeds, a popular Mexican restaurant close to my office that my coworkers love. I checked their social media and noticed that they were offering $50 gift cards for $25! What a deal! I have to share, too, that the best part of my Tumbleweeds experience was that the owner, Keith, had advertised that there was a limited supply of gift cards, but after seeing how many people showed up at the store early in the morning, he honored the sale for all of them. If that's not a part of what makes small towns and small businesses so special, I don't know what is!

Finally, I was on my way home when I remembered that another local favorite, Kagen Cofffee and Crepes was giving out bonus cards with the purchase of $25 gift cards. While I was at it, I treated myself to a mini sweet potato cheesecake crepe. I couldn't help myself! I figured I deserved a little something for being brave and participating in Black Friday for the first time in years...even if it was only at three stores.

I guess you can say that I get it now...The rush of a good deal is enough to get even me out to the stores...and plus, I can't wait to give these away!

With that said, you may have noticed that all of the businesses I decided to support on Black Friday are small businesses. With tomorrow being Small Business Saturday, I wanted to share two businesses I'm looking forward to supporting:

I discovered Brick House in the City last year when it was promoted through a Blessed is She blog post. The t-shirts are super soft, and I love the owner, Lauren's passion for designing beautiful, modest and positive products.

Catholic Curio is a small business with some of the most darling products I have ever seen! Look at those cookie cutters...and everyone who knows me well knows that I love pretty stationery...and pretty stationery needs pretty writing utensils. Bonus: I know the owners of this business, and they are sweet as pie! Who doesn't want to support friends?

Last, while it's easy to get caught up in the season of giving and finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your nice list, I hope it stays in your mind that the only thing you can give people that can never be replaced is your time. Presents are nice, but presence is even more important. So, while I'm eager to wrap these gifts and tuck them into stockings, I am even more excited to catch up with loved ones around dinner tables, with a good glass of wine while sharing favorite cookie recipes (that can be made into the shape of happy little nuns). No amount of money in the world can buy us extra time, so let's make sure we spend it wisely with people who matter - not just the cashiers at the mall.