With Christmas less than three weeks away, patrons in the Foothills may be looking for that perfect, unique gift for a loved one.

Jayme Hall, Executive Director for the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce, says shopping locally can have many advantages.

"Shopping local around the holiday season, I think, is a wonderful thing. I would encourage everybody to do it, and I say this every year, people will be so surprised to find out some of the products, items, services, gift cards, things like that, that you can just get locally," he said.

Hall adds if there's something specific on your list that may be hard to find, local business owners are more than willing to help locate it, and it's still early enough to order it if necessary.

Hall has some simple tips to help Okotoks residents shop local for Christmas.

"More businesses are really starting to utilize search engine optimization. So, if you're looking for a product or service in Okotoks, googling it and putting Okotoks behind it, you'll find it. I think you'll be really surprised," he said.

He adds shopping in local businesses benefits everyone, and local stores have many gift ideas that are unique to their establishment.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email abouchard@goldenwestradio.com