Happy Friday! Megan here.

🙏 Gratitude check: I am tremendously thankful for all of you.

Weather check: The kind of weather that's perfect for hanging Christmas lights, if you're – I don't know – my spouse reading this? 😅

This weekend, it's nice and short because I know many of you have the perfect leftover Thanksgiving sandwich ingredients waiting in your fridge. Intern Olivia checked out the importance of shopping small this holiday season. You'll also find a roundup of events, including the Parade of Lights tonight.

And now, news:

COMMUNITY

Why you should shop small this holiday season

Simplified: This weekend is Small Business Saturday, a day to support local businesses and keep your holiday shopping close to home. Here's what to know about the importance of shopping locally.

Why it matters

  • Shopping local keeps money here in Sioux Falls. If you're spending dollars at a small business, that business owner will put those dollars back into the community, according to Jennie Doyen, vice president of member services for the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce.
  • Local businesses rely on the support of the community to stay afloat. Lisa Esser, owner of Papa Woody's Wood Fired Pizza, said that helping keep the lights on at her restaurant also keeps the lights on at home.
  • While larger corporations and big box stores kick off holiday shopping with Black Friday, don't forget the local businesses, which will usually have a comparable option to anything you're finding online, Doyen said.
"Most of the time you're going to be able to find a local provider, a local retailer, maybe restaurant, where you can get that product," Doyen said. "And if you can buy it locally, all the better."

How else can I support local businesses?

Here are some ideas.

EVENTS

Stuff to do: Nov. 25-Dec. 1

  • Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree. Celebrate the lighting of the Washington Pavilion Christmas tree at 5:45 p.m. on Friday. The lights will go on at 6:25 p.m. Details here.
  • Parade for the holidays. Head downtown on Friday at 7:30 p.m. for the annual Parade of Lights to see decorations for the holiday season. Details here.
  • See some wild art. Head to the zoo on Saturday at 5:30p.m. to buy some art, see some animals and enjoy warm winter beverages. Tickets and details here.
  • Shop small on Saturday. Support local businesses by shopping small on Saturday. Take a break at the selfie stations downtown to snap a quick pic. Details here.
  • Hear the wedding bells. The Sioux Empire Wedding Showcase will be at the Sanford PREMIERE Center on Sunday. Check out regional vendors and get ideas for your own big day. Tickets and details here.

THIS AND THAT

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Reach out

What story do you want to see simplified? Falling for something local? Send any news tips, attaboys, missed typos or leftover pumpkin pie to megan@sfsimplified.com.

Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Millennium Recycling, the Great Plains Zoo, Midco, the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance, Selah Space and Silverstar Car Wash. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.