Yes, it is the season to give. We need to start making arrangements for our gifts, and we’re already in full-on mad-shopping mode! But nothing compares to the satisfaction of supporting a small business.
Finding the trendiest present is great, but we are always drawn to those that are produced by local businesses. Small companies are struggling more than ever as a result of the pandemic’s ongoing effects. To emphasize the value of shopping locally this holiday season, we’ve gathered our top picks from small business owners with big talents.
A Tasty Tea Box
Brooklyn Tea, a little teahouse in Bed-Stuy, is dedicated to offering premium, organic teas that are both delicious and excellent for you. In its online store, customers can purchase both traditional mixes like chamomile and lemongrass tea, as well as unique concoctions like Belgian chocolate rooibos and the highly popular Kyoto cherry, rose sencha tea. If you’re having difficulties choosing one of the nearly 90 tea blends that Brooklyn Tea offers, we advise trying the tea boxes that include an assortment.
Female Business Empowerment Mug
An empowering message on a serving of coffee that is “filled with confidence and determination” and serves to remind your female entrepreneur of her purpose. In addition to being motivating, this dishwasher-safe ceramic mug is a fabulously entertaining and encouraging addition to any girl boss’ workspace. If it so happened that you have financial difficulties and cannot buy a gift, you can learn how to borrow money from cash app and please your loved ones with a wonderful gift.
T-Shirts by The Bee and The Fox with a Retro Design
A woman-owned company called The Bee & The Fox is dedicated to producing environmentally friendly t-shirts and home items while encouraging constructive social change. Our guiding principle is to never turn down a garment with a vintage design. We especially enjoy this pick flowers not battles shirt and this Tough as a Mother Sweatshirt, but The Bee and The Fox has a ton of styles you’ll appreciate.
Even Keel Expedition Soap Set
Ho, who shares studio space with En Tsao but established the Even Keel brand of small-batch soaps, endorses them. “When I’m stuck for ideas, this is my go-to present,” she adds. It’s not just useful; it’s also breathtakingly gorgeous, almost like a piece of art.
The activated charcoal, Moroccan red clay, coconut, and olive oils, as well as other natural components, are used to create the marbling in the soaps. Why not make the process more beautiful as we all wash our hands much more frequently these days? Additionally, the soaps are TSA-friendly for when it’s time to travel once more.
Wooj Biodegradable Wavy Lamp Made of Corn
This biodegradable wavy lamp, which we found on the sustainable marketplace site Goldune, is made of plastic that is 3-D printed from maize. It also happens that a small business needs help and the government supports it, with the help of SSBCI, and gives loans for development.
Because it is manufactured to order (for sustainability reasons), ordering before the first few weeks of December is advised for Christmas delivery; if not, there is a 4-5 week wait time.
With a carefully selected marketplace of home goods, décor, and personal care products that are all created sustainably, Goldune was founded late last year with the goal of making sustainability more approachable and enjoyable.
Hudson Valley Trio Set by Mr. P
Over the past several summers I’ve spent visiting Upstate New York, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Martin and Karen, the founders of Mr. P’s Placecards, and their lifestyle company is full of lovely goods. My absolute favorite Lemon Curd is included in this collection, along with two of their other top sellers. It is truly such a wonderful gift for the favorite host or hostess in your life, and it not only made Oprah’s list of favorite things this year – for good reason!
Amaaya Jewelry
Amaaya Jewelry is a first-generation Indian-owned jewelry company with headquarters in Chicago that was founded to provide one-of-a-kind designs at competitive prices that would help you stand out from the crowd. Because the founder of the business thinks that “you’re unique and the jewelry you wear should be too,” they just debuted a Diwali jewelry line.
Pants by SheFly GoThere and Kula Cloth
Being a woman in the woods is difficult, especially when it’s time to heed nature’s call. These two goods, which were created by and for women, include cute, simple-to-clean clothing and hiking trousers with anatomically correct zippers for a suitable wilderness experience.
Three percent of respondents to a survey on small businesses in the US conducted in October 2022 said that low sales were the biggest issue for small businesses.
Custom-Crafted Footwear Produced by Hand
The final item reflects Adelante Shoes’ emphasis on sustainability, personalization, and economic growth in Guatemala (where the shoemakers are based). When I discovered the brand at a street fair, I was able to quickly personalize the front, back, pull tab, elastic, stitching, and sole since the business manufactures shoes to order rather than just selling what is in stock. Although they are more expensive than the typical Chelsea boot, these boots are ideal if you want a high-quality pair of shoes and don’t mind maintaining them.
Wine Tumblers by MiiR
The founder of MiiR was a childhood friend of one of my best friends, and I adore their products, including the wine tumblers I received as a gift. Perfect for bringing to the park or swimming pool or for neighborhood walks with your friends. They also produce wonderful water bottles for children and other items that make wonderful gifts.
Conclusion
This Christmas season, you can make three people happy at once by supporting small businesses: you, the small company owner, and the recipient of your present.
There are numerous ways to save and receive rewards on small-business purchases, but some customers choose to steer clear of smaller retailers since big-box stores might sometimes be cheaper.