Perham Chamber Releases $100K Discounted Holiday Dollars to Boost Local Shopping
The Perham Area Chamber began selling $100,000 in discounted Holiday Dollars on Nov. 3, allowing shoppers to buy $100 in local certificates for $80 to use at 32 participating businesses through Dec. 24. The program aims to drive holiday spending into local shops and restaurants while limiting purchases to $500 per household and requiring in-person pickup at the Chamber office.
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The Perham Area Chamber launched a holiday incentive on Nov. 3, putting $100,000 worth of discounted Holiday Dollars on sale to encourage residents to spend locally this season. Shoppers can purchase $100 in certificates for $80, with a household limit of $500 in face value, and use them at 32 participating local businesses through Dec. 24.
Under the program, each $100 certificate effectively delivers a 20 percent discount to shoppers while directing spending to local merchants. The Chamber credits sponsoring businesses for covering the discount arrangement. The certificates must be purchased in person at the Chamber office, 185 E. Main St., and are not valid at gas stations, convenience stores, or grocery stores. Certificates must be fully used by Dec. 24, and the program stipulates no refunds or change will be given.
From an economic perspective, the program represents a targeted nudge to capture holiday dollars within the county. The math is straightforward: $100,000 in face-value certificates equals 1,000 $100 certificates available for purchase. With a five-certificate maximum per household, a family can buy up to $500 in certificates for $400 out of pocket, and if every household purchased that maximum, up to 200 households would be able to take full advantage. If spending were evenly distributed among the 32 participating businesses, the certificates would translate to an average of about $3,125 in face-value sales per business, though actual patterns will vary by merchant type and customer preferences.
For local retailers and service providers, the Holiday Dollars can boost traffic and sales during a critical period when a large share of annual revenue is earned. For shoppers, the program offers a clear discount on purchases at participating downtown and community businesses, potentially stretching holiday budgets. The exclusions—gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores—signal that the program is designed to channel spending toward shops, restaurants and specialty services rather than everyday essentials.
There are practical implications for residents: because certificates must be bought in person, shoppers without reliable transportation or those with limited mobility may face barriers to participation. The "no refunds or change" rule also means consumers should plan purchases so remaining certificate balances are used efficiently. The Dec. 24 deadline concentrates the benefit into the pre-Christmas shopping window, which could accelerate sales earlier in December.
By deploying $100,000 of community-focused purchasing power, the Perham Area Chamber seeks to retain more consumer spending locally and support small businesses during the holidays. How widely the certificates are purchased and how spending is distributed among participating merchants will determine the program’s ultimate effect on Otter Tail County’s holiday economy.
