Support Local this Season: Ward 9 Local Holiday Giving Guide
As the holiday season approaches, the 2024 Support Local Holiday campaign is in full swing, encouraging Calgarians to shop locally and support their community. Now in its sixth year, the campaign reaffirms The City’s commitment to fostering vibrant neighborhoods and thriving local businesses.
Calgary is home to over 51,000 small businesses, accounting for more than 95% of Calgary’s economic growth. In 2023 alone, business license applications increased by 14% year-over-year, demonstrating the strength and expansion of our local business community. When you shop locally, you’re not just making a purchase, you’re also creating jobs, fueling innovation, keeping money flowing in our local communities, and ensuring Calgary’s neighborhoods continue to be vibrant and unique.
Supporting local doesn’t only mean shopping. You can champion your favorite businesses by sharing positive reviews online, recommending them to friends, or subscribing to their mailing lists. These small efforts can make a big difference in their success and visibility.
Ward 9 Local Holiday Giving Guide
Ward 9 boasts SO many of the absolute best local businesses and organizations in our city. As the holiday season approaches, we’ve compiled a list of gift ideas that support local Ward 9 businesses and create happy memories and opportunities for connection in the process.
Purchase passes and plan a date to TELUS Spark (check out their adults-only nights)
Sign up for a workshop at Fuse 33, Plant Shop, or Mud Urban Potters (just to name a few!)
Reserve a spot for you and your favourite pal to experience an Around the World Food Tour on International Ave (2025 dates launching soon!)
Gift a coupon good for coffee and walk around the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Beaverdam Flats, or Elliston Park
Sip your way through Highfield or Inglewood/Ramsay with your own self-guided brewery crawl (hot tip- a bunch of the breweries around town have outdoor fire pits to keep you extra cozy in the winter!)
Snag a gift card to your favourite local restaurant and head out for a delicious meal (Ward 9 has SO MANY great spots to pick from!)
Buy a day pass and visit the animals at the Calgary Zoo - Be sure to stop by and meet the Zoo’s newest Masai giraffe, Amani
Plan an ice skating and hot chocolate date at one of Calgary’s outdoor community rinks (opening soon!)
Purchase tickets for an upcoming event- Block Heater, East Town Get Down, or Global Fest are all great Ward 9 standouts
Check out a movie at the old-timey Burnswest Theatre inside Fort Calgary. (Ticket price includes museum admission and free popcorn)
Support in-depth, independent Calgary journalism by making a donation to The Sprawl or LiveWire
Buy Huggabowl tokens from No Fixed Address and provide a few hot meals for a neighbour in need
Make a donation to a local charity in the recipients honour
Plans for a round of disc golf at the Forest Lawn Disc Golf Course
Reserve a fire pit at one of The City parks and pack a cozy picnic
Pickup a 28-day cheese advent from Say Cheese or sign up for the cheese of the month club from Bridgeland Market
Order a bundle of all five of our Ward 9 maps! They are totally free and make a perfect stocking stuffer!
Join the Calgary Parking Shop Local Winter Contest!
This holiday season, Calgary Parking is sweetening the deal with their “Support Local and Win” promotion. From November to December, they’re giving away six $150 parking credits.
How to participate
Like: The winter parking contest post.
Tag: A local business where you love to shop and share why you appreciate them.
The more love you show for local businesses this winter, the better your chances of winning $150 in free parking credits. Winners can also share some of the free parking credits with friends and family as a gift! Spread the word, shop local and #SupportLocalYYC. Learn more…