Some of the big box stores are opening at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving this year for even earlier Black Friday deals. While many may fall over each other fighting for the hottest new game, there’s an alternative.

Let’s shop local this Small Business Saturday. The second day after Thanksgiving, which marks the third annual event, is a great time to show our thankfulness for local mom and pop shops.

And there could be some good things in it for the customers as well.

From now until Dec. 13, Fuquay-Varina merchants are taking part in the Cash for Christmas event. Customers can register at any of the 40 participating businesses each time they shop in the historic downtown area. A winner will be chosen on Dec. 13 and will receive a $500 gift certificate in Downtown Dollars.

The independently owned and operated businesses are the lifeblood of our community. How many memories have been created at the Rusty Bucket in Apex or Hudson’s Hardware in Garner?

Whether we decide to buy the perfect holiday dress at Swoon Boutique in Holly Springs or need to find the perfect bouquet of flowers for a dinner party at Petals & Hearts Florist in Cleveland, we need to keep it local this year.

And if everyone decides to shop at small businesses in our community, it could have a major impact.

Other communities already are getting the idea.

Many towns are following the 3/50 project. Find the three businesses in your community that make it the place you call home. Stop in and spend $50 monthly. Can you imagine how much money that would generate close to home if everyone took part in the project?

The project started in 2009 with a blog post by Cinda Baxter. And it’s made a big change in many areas.

What if we incited that kind of change?

Think about it. If we spend money locally, rather than driving out of town to a mall or shopping online, we’re putting money back into the town where we live. With taxes and employee salaries alone, money is going back to the people in our own community.

That would provide one very merry holiday season and even more to give thanks for this year.

Find out more about the 3/50 Project at www.the350project.net/home.html.