Black Friday is upon us.  But here’s what you need to know to save this weekend around Decatur.  (Decatur area businesses – you are welcome to advertise their deals this weekend in the comments section below.)

Amex – Small Business Saturday – Up to $30 Credit on Your Credit Card

Get up to $30 back from American Express when you spend at local stores.  OK, so here’s how this works.

• Register your qualifying AMEX card at their website HERE.
• Check their map for participating shops and restaurants.  Here’s a selection of shops participating in downtown Decatur
  • Little Shop of Stories
  • Eddie’s Attic
  • Vivid Boutique
  • Homegrown
  • Squash Blossom
  • Sq/Ft
  • Unlimited PCS
  • Collage Gift
  • Select Soles
  • Kimball House
  • Harbour Bar
  • Sapori di Napoli
  • Jeni’s Ice Cream
• Spend at least $10 at up to 3 participating shops on November 29th and get a $10 credit on your Amex statement for each purchase.

That’s it!

Decatur – Small Business Weekend Festivities, Giveaways and Santa!

The City of Decatur also has gotten in the Small Business Saturday game the last few years and this year they’re expanding the offerings across the whole weekend.  S

Saturday and Sunday, Decatur is hosting a variety of festivities on Decatur Square including “live music, giveaways, free gift wrapping for city of Decatur shop purchases, and a special Saturday Santa appearance (Santa will be in the event tent on the Square from 3-5pm. Visits are FREE, bring your own camera to take pictures.)” according to the Decatur Minute.

Spend $200 in Decatur and Get $20 Restaurant Gift Card

The Decatur Minute also reminds us of this promotion they’ve been running all month.

“Spend $200 at any Decatur shop during the month of November, bring your receipts to the Decatur Visitors Center and receive a $20 gift card from a local restaurant. You don’t have to spend $200 all in one place, just make sure you keep all of your receipts from any store located in City of Decatur any day of the week (not just Thursdays!). Bring your receipts to the Visitor’s Center at 113 Clairemont Ave. and you’ll have your choice of gift cards from one of Decatur’s restaurants. Limited to 3 cards per person while supplies last. We will be taking receipts on Nov. 29th and 30th at the event tent on the Square.”

OK, so tomorrow is the 3rd annual official “Small Business Saturday”, created by American Express back in 2010 to give small businesses the exposure at the height of the holiday shopping season.  Here’s what you need to know to make the most of it (read: get the most free/discounted stuff while supporting local businesses)

If you have an American Express card, GO HERE right now and register your card.  Then when you spend $25 or more at a local business around Decatur or elsewhere tomorrow (and tomorrow ONLY), you will receive a $25 credit on your Amex statement some time in the next 8 weeks.

(You may want to steer clear of using Amex’s “Find out where to shop” map.  It’s still got “El Tesoro” as a “Buy Local” option, along with some other shops that have never existed!)

And don’t forget, the City of Decatur has gotten on the Small Business Saturday bandwagon this year too, with events on Decatur Square and in Harmony park tomorrow.   Also, the city is offering shoppers a $20 gift card to a local Decatur restaurant if you bring in at least $200 in November receipts from Decatur shops to the 2nd floor of city hall.