As folks gear up for the holidays and buy gifts, small business owners are collectively hoping they remember two crucial words as they draw up their lists: "buy local."

It’s not only important to those businesses but communities, too.

"The holiday season is the most critical time of the year for small businesses, accounting for up to half of annual sales for 60% of owners,” said Smita Wadhawan, chief marketing officer at Constant Contact, a marketing company that also surveys small businesses.

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