As shops start to reopen and the public begin Christmas shopping, spending local is more important than ever.
Whether you're looking for a unique gift, or want to know the story behind the present you buy, shopping with independent retailers can be a great way of helping those struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A personal touch can also ensure you get exactly the right gift for your loved one.
Linzi Rooney, the founder of independent retailer Born and Bred - which sells unique local art, gifts and accessories - spoke to BelfastLive about the importance of buying local in 2020..
She said: "Obviously from our point of view, buying local is always going to be very important.
"Why would you not support your local producers, your local suppliers and your local retailers?
"On a wider scale, it's important that money made in Northern Ireland is spent here, as that helps our economy and makes a bigger impact on our community and our country."
Christmas is a busy period for Born and Bred, and Linzi stresses that spending local also helps suppliers, artists and creators from throughout Northern Ireland.
She added: "It's not just me that they're supporting. We have over 100 makers and producers that we sell here in the shop, and we obviously employ people here in our shop.
"So by shopping local, you're supporting a number of different people."
Linzi believes that by buying local, people are also able to learn the story behind what they're purchasing.
She said: "At the end of the day, when you go to one of the big retailers, there's no story to the products.
"But when you're buying locally, if you're buying one of our prints, let's say, then you're supporting artists in places Newcastle or elsewhere, who're making art in their home studios.
"It's not just an empty product. It's all about trying to bridge that gap between who makes something and who buys it.
"It is significant to see these shops open. The landscape of the high steet is changing and, given a normal year, it's shops like ours that provide the interesting features of Belfast.
"If you don't have shops like mine, then Belfast just looks like any other high street in the UK.
"And what's attractive about that? We should be celebrating these original shops and the boost they give to the city."
Having reopened just a few days ago, Linzi was heartened to be able to assist customers in store and give them that personal touch that comes with being a local trader.
She said: "It's brilliant. I love having a shop and it is so nice for people to be able to come in and browse.
"It is a different experience doing things online - and obviously I'm glad we have that ability - but I love being able to have a customer in and be able to chat to them and what they're looking for and what they need.
"Building a relationship with customers is always going to be important."
