As the holiday season approaches, the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to support the heart of our community—our local businesses. This year, the Chamber is proud to introduce the Golden Gift Guide, a curated collection of locally sourced products, services, experiences, and stocking-stuffer ideas designed to make holiday shopping easier, more meaningful, and closer to home.
“Every dollar spent locally has a direct and positive impact on our community,” Melanie Myers, Executive Director for the Chamber, said in a statement. “Shopping local helps sustain the businesses that employ our neighbours, sponsor our events, and make Golden a vibrant place to live.”
Why Shopping Local Matters
Local businesses circulate more money back into the community than large corporate retailers, helping strengthen everything from youth programs to municipal services. Buying local also reduces environmental impact, fosters personal connections, and helps ensure that unique shops and services continue to thrive.
In an economic climate where small businesses continue to navigate rising costs and staffing challenges, community support matters more than ever. Even small choices—like purchasing a gift card, opting for a service over an online order, or simply sharing a local business’s social media post—make a meaningful difference.
Introducing the Golden Gift Guide
To make it easier for residents to shop locally, the Chamber has created the Golden Gift Guide. This digital guide brings together offerings from a wide range of Golden businesses, from handcrafted goods and artisan foods to outdoor experiences, wellness services, and family-friendly gift ideas.
The guide is available online and is shared on the Chamber website as well as a variety of social media channels. Check it out and share with your family and friends!
“We’ve heard from residents that they want to shop local—they just need inspiration,” says Myers. “The Golden Gift Guide does exactly that. It showcases the creativity, talent, and diversity of our business community.”
How Residents Can Participate
The Chamber encourages community members to support the initiative in several ways:
Explore the Golden Gift Guide – check out gift ideas you may not have known existed locally
Share the guide with friends and family
Go local first when planning your holiday purchases—whether gifts, meals, decorations, or experiences.
Engage on social media by liking and sharing posts from local businesses.
Take advantage of seasonal promotions offered by participating stores and service providers.
A Small Action With a Big Impact
Shopping local not only strengthens the local economy but also celebrates the character of Golden. Every purchase is a vote for the kind of community we want to build—a resilient, connected, and thriving place to live and work.
The Chamber extends its thanks to the many businesses that contributed to the 2025 Golden Gift Guide and encourages residents to “think local first” as they prepare for the holiday season.
