Small Business Saturday is coming up on November 25th, and it offers a perfect chance to get out of the house, discover your town’s hidden treasures and give back to your local economy. This celebration of small businesses was created in 2010 by American Express to open minds to the high-quality and unique products small businesses sell and encourage consumers to be conscious of where they buy.

Participation by both businesses and consumers in Small Business Saturday has grown every year, allowing for more opportunities for everyone to get involved. Here are three reasons why Small Business Saturday will be a fulfilling and fun way to spend part of your long Thanksgiving weekend.

You can be a tourist in your hometown.

It can be so easy to get caught up in our daily routines that we rarely take time to enjoy all the fun our communities have to offer. Small Business Saturday gives you a chance to break the routine and uncover all the goodness local businesses create. By exploring your town’s small businesses, you might find your new favorite place to get coffee or buy the coziest sweater you have ever owned.

The cool thing about being a tourist in your own town? When you find a shop you like, you can visit as often as you want—maybe it’ll even become a part of your daily routine.

You’ll build a sense of community.

Small businesses are an expression of the dreams and aspirations of your neighbors. When you become a regular at their shop or restaurant, you open the door for enriching community relationships. Whether you live in a small town or a dense urban area, you can feel more connected to your home by becoming friends with the business owners and the patrons who make your town unique.

Support your local economy.

The value of a thriving small business environment to a community is immeasurable. Small businesses provide product diversity, personalized customer service, local hiring opportunities and much more. And when you spend money at a local business, more of your money stays in your community than if you shopped at a chain store.

Mark your calendar for November 25th and enjoy everything your community has to offer!