Looking for a perfect Valentine's Day gift that you can purchase from an Omaha-based business? Make sure to check out the amazing offerings of local stores this season!

This Valentine’s Day, why not show your love and support for small businesses in the Omaha area? There are plenty of locally owned shops that have put together great products and services to help you celebrate in style.

From heart-shaped donuts to cookie kits to high-end candles, here are some of the best ways to show your special someone how much they mean to you this Valentine’s Day.

"Valentine's Day is a great opportunity for consumers to show their love for both their special someone and for local small businesses," says Joseph Kenney of 316 Strategy Group. "By choosing to support locally owned businesses instead of franchises and big box stores, consumers can help boost the local Omaha economy and enjoy unique gift options that can't be found anywhere else."

According to Kenney, studies have shown that for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays in the local community compared to only $14 when spent at a national chain. "Consumers have the power to make a real impact on the Omaha community by choosing to support local businesses," he adds.

Valentine's Day is one of the biggest holidays for spending, with the National Retail Federation estimating that Americans will spend an average of $196.31 on gifts, flowers, dining, and other holiday expenses this year. By choosing to shop at small businesses in the Omaha area, consumers can show their love and support for local entrepreneurs while finding unique and thoughtful gifts for their loved ones.

The Cookie Company

Tired of giving flowers? The Cookie Company offers long-stemmed chocolate chip cookie roses! this year - perfect for expressing your love and satisfying that special someone’s sweet tooth! Each bouquet is available as a full dozen or half dozen, complete with long stems in a cookie rose box that makes them easy to transport or give as a gift.

Square Donut

Square Donut has some truly unique offerings this year: they have created a special Valentine's donut! Their 24k heart donuts are sure to win the "something special" award! Real 24k edible gold flakes adorn this heart-shaped donut filled with your choice of filling (call for options), topped in their delicious chocolate ganache with a beautiful champagne drizzle. There is a vegan option available, too. These are available as pre-order/pre-pay only from February 1-14.

Master's Hand

Master’s Hand in Tekamah offers something for everyone this Valentine’s Day. You are cordially invited to a Valentine's American High Tea Party for made-from-scratch delicacies, complete with a fanciest hat award! Guys–if that isn’t your “cup of tea” (pun intended), check out Manday Monday! Men receive a bottomless bowl of soup or chili…no “sweetie” is required. We can’t forget to mention they're amazing Cookie Kits. Each option comes with their delicious homemade sugar cookies, a surprise container of frosting (simply mix to reveal the color!), and, of course, sprinkles. Great for kids and adults alike–especially fun as a family event or a team builder at work!

Clout Coffee

Clout Coffee is another great option for those looking for something special this Valentine's Day. They pair carefully selected coffee beans with fresh barrels for a rum-whisky-rye barrel-aged experience. What makes for a great Valentine’s gift for the coffee lover in your life is their selection of samplers and bundles. Choose a bundle with a coffee mug or to-go tumbler, too!

The search for the perfect Valentine's gift for the bourbon lover in your life is over, you’re welcome. Give the gift of our bourbon barrel-aged coffee beans for the perfect balance of work and playtime. This whole bean bourbon gift bottle is perfect for the special someone in your life! Or even treat yourself a little, you deserve it.

Bianchi Candles

Bianchi Candles has some really stunning candles perfect for creating an intimate atmosphere on Valentine's Day…or any day! Owner Nic Bianchi began his entrepreneurial adventure on his 12th birthday with a candle-making birthday gift. Now, he has several candle options from Yes You Candles for motivating that special someone to luxury candles and reed diffusers for that perfect household ambiance. All Bianchi Candles come packaged in beautiful glass jars that make them ideal for gifting or decorating any room in your home!

The Simple Man Store

The Simple Man Store is a great place to shop for the man in your life this Valentine's Day. They specialize in unique gifts and accessories like barware, wallets and accessories, desk decor, and more. They also carry a wide variety of apparel including flannel shirts, jeans, hats, and t-shirts you won't find anywhere else in Omaha. They have plenty of unique Valentine’s Day gift ideas for that hard-to-buy-for fella in your life.

This Valentine's Day, it's a perfect opportunity to show your love for your special someone and for local small businesses in Omaha.

The locally owned shops around Omaha offer fantastic products and services that make this holiday extra special and unique. By choosing to support these businesses, you're not only getting creative and unique gift ideas, but you're also helping to strengthen the local economy.

This Valentine's Day, Joseph Kenney from the 316 Strategy Group encourages us to “choose locally owned Omaha businesses” instead of big box stores and franchises. Shopping small is an investment in our future - it helps to uplift local entrepreneurs and strengthens the Omaha community. So make a conscious effort this February 14th to shop at your area’s family-owned stores, building a brighter tomorrow for all!