Shopping Small this Holiday Season

Since becoming a small business owner, I have been prioritizing shopping small. It is so easy to order from Amazon or run to Target for gifts, but these businesses aren’t your neighbors. Jeff Bezos will never sponsor your child’s little league team. This is my second holiday season that I am determined to shop 100% small, and I hope you will join me!

Something that was frustrating to me during my first holiday season was how overwhelmed the poor USPS workers were. I encouraged customers to order by December 15th to receive their order by Christmas. I still had one order sent before this date lost until the second week of January.

I am so excited to use my new retail space this year and be able to accommodate more last minute gift shopping! Candles are the perfect last minute, generic gift. They aren’t something that you remember to order weeks in advance.

Here are some helpful things to remember if you plan on joining me to shop fully small this holiday season:

• If your item needs to ship, order early. Small businesses can’t control the mail, unfortunately, and postal workers are overworked during the holiday season.

• If there is a pick up option, take it! Your local business will thank you.

• Don’t forget gift cards. This is a great last minute option while still keeping your gift small and local. If you have a printer you are likely able to print gift cards for any online businesses on the spot. Don’t forget your neighborhood restaurants for gift cards too!

• If your order comes with a business card, give it to the recipient of the gift. Nothing means more to a small business owner than some help spreading the word about them. This is meaningful to the recipient as well.

• Do you bring wine as hostess gifts? Don’t forget your local wineries, breweries and distilleries. Bonus points if you can buy them from a local liquor store too!