Need some gift ideas for the upcoming holidays? With retailers facing a tougher season than ever in the face of the pandemic and capacity restrictions on in-person shopping, local and state leaders are encouraging residents to shop local and support small businesses this season. At a press conference this week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer noted that just a 10 percent shift in retail spending from online/out-of-state vendors to local stores would infuse $1.2 billion into the state economy.

In this week’s Northern Express, sister publication of The Ticker, dozens of creative gift ideas from retailers across northern Michigan are in compiled in the publication’s popular annual Holiday Gift Guide. Ranging from practical to luxurious, handmade to experiental, these curated recommendations - including ideas for her, for him, and for kids - will help you find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list, while also supporting local small businesses.

Check out the 2020 Holiday Gift Guide online, or pick up a free copy of the Northern Express at newsstand locations in 14 counties across northern Michigan.