DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The holiday gift shopping season is here and in full swing. With strong shopping momentum from Black Friday, Small Business Saturday hopes to carry that energy in the community.

"You'll find that a lot of small business tends to go above and beyond for you. And that is something unique that you don't get to see in the big cooperate industry every day" says Andrea McGee, a small business owner herself. McGee owns T Candles, and was one of the few local shops set up in downtown Decatur at Cass Concepts. 

Each table had unique, personalized gifts laid out for shoppers to see. Everything from colorful baby clothing, to fun candle scents, to special seasonings for your cooking recipes. 

Small Business Saturday started back in 2010, introduced by American Express as a way to encourage consumer spending at local, small shops around the holidays. 

"68% of the dollars spent at local businesses go back to other local businesses. So I think we really make a big difference" says Lindsey Kirk, who owns her own business making handmade jewelry from local gems and minerals. 

Small Business Saturday celebrated in downtown Decatur

Jessie Porter, owner of Polyglamily, shares she has been a part of small businesses for over a decade, making personalized stuffed animals through crocheting them with bright colored yarn. 

Porter says it's the community that helps her business thrive. "I love being in Decatur and seeing repeat people tell us, 'I bought your glitter and I loved it' or "My daughter will not take the stuffed animal out of her bed.' That has a lot of value to me."

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