IDAHO, USA — For many small businesses across Idaho, the holiday season is not just about spreading holiday cheer — it is about survival.
At Lee's Candies in Boise, owner Katie Fernandez said December alone accounts for roughly one-third of their annual revenue.
"If we didn't have a good Christmas, it would be a real struggle getting through the rest of the year," she said.
Mixed Greens, a gift store in downtown Boise, echoed a similar sentiment. Store manager Mary Butler said 25% to 40% of annual business comes in just two months.
"The two weeks before Christmas, it's crazy time," Butler said.
These businesses reflect a broader pattern across the Gem State, where small businesses make up 99% of all businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Data also shows nationally, seven out of 10 small businesses report the holiday season as crucial for their overall profit
U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, who leads the "Support Local Gems All Season Long" initiative, now in its fifth year, emphasized the economic impact of shopping locally.
"When you spend money at a small business, it's assured that your money is going to stay in your own local community," Risch said. "If you talk to people, they say, 'oh, yeah, we love our small businesses.' If you love them, support them."
While Fernandez admits shopping online can be more convenient, she said there is nothing more special than supporting a local business.
"I would just encourage anybody to remember how much love and heart goes into something that a small business does," Fernandez said. "When you give something from a local company ... it's [a] much more thoughtful, creative and meaningful gift for most people."