We’re sure your holiday shopping is already roaring fully, with just three weeks left till Christmas and both Black Friday and Cyber Monday already behind us.

But we hope you’ll pause in the coming days and ponder ways you can shop local this Christmas.

We know there are deals all over the Web and the big-box stores have all kinds of rewards programs, but there is no question you get more bang for your buck when you shop local.

A study from the American Independent Business Alliance found that $68 of every $100 spent at a local business stays in the city, compared to just $43 spent at a retail chain.

A 2015 story from Entrepreneur magazine found numerous benefits to shopping local, including improved health from buying produce from local farmers, connections with local entrepreneurs, maintaining the unique charm of your community by avoiding cookie-cutter chain outlets, and better and more personalized customer service.

But the biggest benefit of all might be keeping the local economy strong.

Maybe you save a buck buying online, but you improve your chances of having a paycheck to go shopping on next Christmas when you shop local.

So stuff those stockings with Northeast Michigan. Buy from a local farmer. Buy a gift certificate from a local salon, massage parlor, or entertainment outlet. Buy a local craft.

Subscribe to your local paper.

Your future will thank you for it.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)