With just over 20 shopping days to go until Christmas, consumers are being urged to buy local.

Guaranteed Irish is reminding people that every €20 spent in your local community is worth €100 to the Irish economy.

It says many of the small Irish businesses that were thriving last year due to the push to support local, are now struggling to compete with the big international companies.

"It is really important that people continue to support local businesses," said Brid O'Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish.

While people made a great effort to shop local throughout the pandemic, she said that support is waning.

In a bid to make it easier for shoppers to support small Irish companies, Guaranteed Irish has launched a revamped website that aims to drive traffic and sales to genuine Irish makers and producers.

GuaranteedIrishGifts.ie features hundreds of locally based businesses throughout the country, with gift ideas ranging from artisan food and drink, to textiles and homeware.

Speaking on Morning Ireland, Ms O'Connell said that by gifting Irish presents this Christmas, people can play their role in supporting local jobs, local businesses, and real communities across Ireland.

"We are very proud of the site and the members we are showcasing on it - I will do my own shopping here this year - it's easy, there is no commission, it's all together on one site," she said.

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They have also launched a new @GuaranteedIrishOfficial Pinterest page for those who like to find inspiration on social media.

"It is perfect for creating your wish list, and just in time for the festive period," she said.

Whether you're planning to shop in-store or online, Guaranteed Irish is encouraging consumers to look out for businesses that carry the trusted Guaranteed Irish symbol this Christmas

"In supporting businesses that carry the symbol, consumers can be confident that they are supporting trusted locally based businesses," Ms O'Connell said.

Guaranteed Irish support over 2,000 business members, employing 120,000 people across Ireland, generating an annual combined Irish turnover of over €13bn.