'Tis the season to ring the register and locals are the key to a successful holiday season — even when the world seems turned upside down and there is nothing normal about 2020.

Here are some thoughts on things that you, as business owners, can do to capture local dollars and keep them in our community.

Let's keep in mind what motivates people to shop. Price, selection and quality of products or services are the keys. Yes, some businesses can get away with higher prices but most people shop for price along with quality.

The first thing to focus on is presentation. It's the holidays so make sure your business is festive. Don't let any inclination of a “bah humbug" attitude permeate your business. From staff to window displays to product or service displays, it needs to be festive. Lights, decorations, wreaths, signage and window paintings will all invite people in. If you have the ability to do some inviting window displays, do it. Have your staff wear Santa hats. Arrange to have a Santa — with social distancing included, of course — at your business for pictures.

The key to a successful Christmas shopping season is traffic — and this year, that includes safety — from having hand sanitizer on hand to offering curbside and online shopping options. The more traffic into your business the more your register will ring.

So how do you get people into your business? Specials. Run a daily special and post it to your Facebook page as well as any advertising you are doing. Create schedule of daily specials and have copies on your counter and on your website and social media accounts. If possible, target a loss-leader, something that will draw people in where you break-even on or lose a little on.

Drawings are always good. Find a product or service that people want and offer a drawing. Have a box and entry forms at a counter — or offer it through your Facebook, Twitter and website for folks shopping from the comfort of their computers. Then post the winner on your Facebook business page and in your store window. For example, if you are a spa, offer a pamper package for folks to take advantage of once the pandemic is behind us.

Retail businesses need to show strength of offerings. This is the time of year to pull everything out of the stockroom, create floor displays, offer discounts on older items. Have a bargain bin with items from previous years.

But consumers also have a responsibility to shop local. Here are a few things to consider the next time you log on to Amazon to make a purchase.

Local businesses support local non-profits, from churches to food banks to the animal shelter. Amazon isn't likely to support local organizations. Your hometown businesses have, do, and will continue to do so. This year, more than ever, it is vitally important to shop at home to keep our friends and neighbors in business and around for years to come.

Local businesses support youth organizations such as Little League, soccer, etc. Amazon isn't likely to support local organizations.

Local businesses pay taxes to support the community. Local business owners serve as volunteers in the community, serving on various boards, charitable events, etc.

Local businesses employ local people who also spend their money locally and support the community.

Local businesses take a genuine interest in creating a sense of community.

You're not a business, you say. You're a shopper looking to stretch limited funds as far as you can - challenging even in the best of months much less during the holiday season during a pandemic. Then you'd do no better than to spend your dollars at home. Local stores are far more competitive than many people assume and if they don't have what you're looking for ... they go out of their way to get it.

Have problem? You don't need to dig through endless paperwork or navigate your way through hundreds of websites trying to find who to contact. Nope, buy it at home, and help is just down the road.

So as a consumer, please consider a local business first, for your holiday shopping. As a business remember this, locals will stabilize your yearly revenue when there are no tourists.