'Tis the season!

President Barack Obama** got a jump-start on his holiday gift list this year when he and his daughters, Sasha, 11, and Malia, 14, stopped by One More Page Books in Arlington, Va., as part of "Small Business Saturday" on Nov. 24.

The brief excursion was part of the Commander-in-Chief's efforts to encourage Americans to frequent neighborhood businesses as an alternative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales by national chains and corporations.

"From the mom-and-pop storefront shops that anchor Main Street to the high-tech startups that keep America on the cutting edge, small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our nation's promise," the POTUS said in a statement Friday.

"These businesses create two out of every three new jobs in America, helping spur economic development in communities across our country and giving millions of families and individuals the opportunity to achieve the American dream," he added. "Through events such as Small Business Saturday, we keep our local economies strong and help maintain an American economy that can compete and win in the 21st century."

Obama and his girls stayed in the bookstore for just over 30 minutes, according to a release from the White House. While there, they purchased 15 children's books, which will be given as gifts to family this year for Christmas. The President knew exactly what he wanted when he walked in -- he came equipped with a list on his BlackBerry.

"Preparation," he told shop owner Eileen McGervey. "That's how I shop."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: President Barack Obama Takes Sasha and Malia Christmas Shopping in Virginia