The holiday season is just around the corner! This year, I’ve made the decision to do all of my Christmas shopping from small businesses, and I’d like to share why I’m making that choice with you.
1. When you shop small, you’re supporting an actual person.
Small businesses are a labor of love. They’re typically built on an idea that the owner cares deeply about, but the love does not discount the labor. Especially for brands that are just starting out, these companies are run by very small teams or sometimes just a single person. That means when you make a purchase, it’s going to a person so excited about serving you this product that they’ve put in the work to create their own business. Purchases from a small business directly affect the creator, and speaking as a small business owner, every show of support means the world.
2. The gifts are unique.
Doing your holiday shopping from a small business, you won’t run the risk of getting them something they already have. Many small businesses also offer custom options like special paintings from your photographs, engraved jewelry, or personalized home decor to name a few. When you pick out an item that’s been handcrafted or sourced by an independent business owner, you’re getting a gift thats unique to give and reflects the unique skills that the creator has to offer. Which leads me to my next point…
3. You’re buying from an expert.
When you shop small, you’re supporting someone following their passion. Whatever product they make is something they’ve studied, practiced, and put countless hours into creating. You can find all kinds of businesses that specialize in a specific type of product—fine arts, ceramics, wood working, leather, stationary, the possibilities are endless—so you know that whatever range of products they’ve chosen to sell is something they feel strongly about.
4. You’re supporting a company that cares about YOU
Small businesses are designed to serve a unique customer base and deliver to them exactly what they’re looking for. From their marketing, to their products and packaging, small business owners work hard to create products and services that will benefit the exact type of person who will be drawn to their products, and there’s nothing better than buying from a business where it feels like they’re creating products just for you.
5. Human connection and local support is more important than ever this year.
I won’t even get into all of the ways that this year has been more difficult than most, but the cancellation of art shows and fairs, decline of financial stability, and an uncertain future has made things especially difficult for small businesses this year. This year I’ve committed to growing and investing myself in my art business, and I feel so inspired seeing other people building their own businesses and maintaining success during such a wild and unprecedented time. I love supporting small businesses because it makes me feel connected to another person—someone who’s following their dream and putting out their unique creative voice into the world. There’s nothing I love more than seeing small businesses succeed. It shows me what is possible if you work hard and create a product you believe in, and I’m so endlessly inspired by small business owners.
This list could go on and on, but those are the 5 main reasons why I made the choice to support small businesses with my holiday shopping for this year. When you support a small business, you’re making someone’s day and showing them that you value their craft. You’re calling attention to the voices of independent creators and choosing to celebrate what they do that no one else can.
I hope you will join me in supporting the independent makers of the world this year with your holiday shopping and beyond the holiday season as well.
If you would like to support my small business this year, I have a selection of original paintings for sale that would make great gifts that you can shop here, art prints of Paris, London, and New York City you can shop here, as well as notecards and Christmas cards you can shop here. The last day to order prints for Christmas is Monday December 7th since they are made to order, and the last day to order available originals or notecards is Monday December 14th.
