When you choose a gift, we know you like to go the extra yard to find something that suits the recipient that feels special, bespoke, or unique. We believe there's nothing more special than a gift that goes beyond its recipient, and supporting small businesses does just that.
This year has put us in the renewed mindset of the importance of shopping small. After in-store foot traffic stalled during the pandemic and ongoing economic downturn, many are still struggling, and their livelihoods depend on their businesses staying afloat. While we may not be able to visit our favorite boutiques, many have pivoted to selling their wares online too as a way to reach a broader audience.
Small businesses (usually classified as a business with less than 500 employees) need our help more than ever. This time of year especially, when you're going out of your way to find the best holiday gift, is the perfect chance to purchase from independent makers, creatives, innovators, and shops. Shopping small helps individuals, communities, and supports one's craft or entrepreneurial dreams.
While Small Business Saturday has come and gone, you can still shop your favorite small businesses. We scoured the internet, social media, and friends and family for some of the very best gifts that you could give this year, and we still feel like we've only just scratched the surface.
Below, some of the products and small businesses, we think you should be supporting this season, that you will truly fall in love with.
A mask chain is this must-have accessory of the season
Buy: Dear Soho Tortoise Shell Face Mask Chain | Was $21, now $14.70 at Etsy
Dear Soho is an Etsy shop that specializes in fun tortoiseshell jewelry and accessories, but what the fashionista in your life really needs is a tortoiseshell face mask chain that will keep her mask secure, and she'll look amazing in the process. View Deal
A puzzle that becomes wall decor
Buy: The Eve by Ana Hard 800-piece Jigsaw Puzzle | Currently $49 at Jiggy
Sure, there are lots of puzzles out there, but very few have gotten us as excited as the artistic illustrations seen at Jiggy, a female-founded company that highlights the work of female artists to create the most beautiful and giftable puzzles we've ever seen. Once you complete the 800-piece "The Eve" puzzle from Spanish creative designer Ana Hard, the set comes with everything needed to glue it together so your handiwork can be displayed right away.
For the perfect wine and cheese night
Compact Swivel Cheese & Tapas Board | $80 at Uncommon Goods
There's no better combination than wine and cheese. With elaborate cheese boards continuing to be the food trend of late, make sure you have the perfect tray on hand to arrange a cheese-filled masterpiece This cheese and tapas bamboo board conveniently condenses into a half-moon shape when not in use and includes all the necessary cutlery and serving pieces. View Deal
A hanging chair she'll want to spend all winter in
LUCIA Macrame Crochet Hammock Chair + 2 Pillows Set | Currently $179.99 at Limbo Exports
A hanging chair just as unique as the person receiving it. This macrame crochet hammock chair is sure to become the focal point of the room. It's made of 100 percent cotton canvas by fair-trade artisans in El Salvador. It comes with two pillow covers, but 26-inch inserts are needed to make it the plush chair pictured. We imagine this hanging hammock hung near a picturesque window for cozying up to daydream, sip tea, or get lost in a good book. View Deal
Raise a glass to supporting a black-owned business
Estelle Colored Wine Stemware, Mixed Set of 6 | $175 at Estelle Colored Glass | $175 at West Elm
There's no doubt that 2020 required lots of wine. Raise a glass for getting through the year with these colorful colored handblown stemmed wine glasses from Estelle Colored Glass that give a nod to another era. It's an homage to the owner's grandmother Estelle, whom she described as a "jewel of a person that instilled in me an appreciation of the pastime of treasure hunting for beautiful finds." View Deal
The must-have fitness accessory
Bala Bangles Wearable Weights | $49 at Uncommon Goods | $49 at Urban Outfitters
For those chilly morning walks or for adding extra resistance to a pilates workout, these one pound Bala Bangles are both stylish and effective for reaching fitness goals. Bala Bangles can be worn on either wrists or ankles, and are made with recycled steel bars coated in soft silicone. View Deal
A sustainable stocking stuffer
Reusable Wooden Cutlery Compact Set | Currently $16.95 at Due Best
This reusable teak wood cutlery set from DueBest is ideal for anyone looking to cut down on their single-use plastics. It's made by Fair Trade artisans in Bali. Choose from a fork and knife, fork and spoon, or spoon and knife set. View Deal
Wall hangings, upgraded
Sunwoven Wall Hanging - Earth | $210 at West Elm
Erin Barrett of Sunwoven hand weaves these one-of-a-kind wall hangings in her Charleston home with a lap loom using 100% cotton and 100% wool yarn threads. Her work is inspired by the colors found in nature. View Deal
For the friend who's in to the latest in design
Mari Masot: 2 Part Plant Pot | $95 at Mantel
Portland-based shop Mantel stocks some of the most gorgeous ceramic and home decor pieces we've seen lately, with a focus on local artists and bespoke pieces, like these color-blocked wheel-thrown planters by Mari Maso. They look stunning on their own as a sculptural tabletop decor piece or housing one's favorite plants. They've been closed in-store due to the pandemic, but will still ship for $10 flat shipping.View Deal
For the picky coffee aficionado
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle| $149 (plus 20 percent off with code THEBIGDEAL) at Fellow Products |$149 at Amazon
Think of a more distinctive kettle to transform a morning cup of coffee? We sure can't! In fact, this Fellow has received a Red Dot award, one of the highest design honor distinctions. Beyond its striking minimalist looks, the Stagg EKG Electric Kettle perfects pour-over coffee with its precision goose-neck pour spout, variable temperature control, LCD screen, and 60-minute hold mode. View Deal
For a tablescape like no other
Frida Tablecloth | $168 at Pepper Home
Pepper Home creates the most beautiful prints splashed across custom table linens, pillows, curtains, wallpaper, and even fabric sold by the yard. We love how the colors and prints easily coordinate for those who dare to mix and match. This made-to-order Frida Tablecloth is a fierce take on Chinoiserie wallpaper inspired by the wallpaper of the co-owner's childhood home. Each pattern is hand-painted and then transferred using a zero-waste digital printing process. View Deal
Show him you remembered his favorite beer
Vermont Country Cabin Beer Can Candle | $14.95 at Etsy
Imagine his surprise to unwrap a single can of his favorite beer to find out it's a candle! Vermont Country Cabin specializes in candles and soaps housed in a variety of popular beer and soda can in pleasing scents like Apple Cider, White Birch, or Balsam and Berries. Place orders by Dec. 6th for holiday delivery. View Deal
Buy her roses that will last 'til next Christmas
Shadow Box Small Round | $199 at The Only Roses
The Only Roses is a California-based business that specializes in gorgeous everlasting roses that will last up to a year. Each flower is hand-plucked in Ecuador before undergoing a 60-day non-toxic preservation process. The Only Roses' signature offering, the Shadow Box, looks gorgeous tableside or propped against a wall. The small size includes between 11 and 13 roses, and while many color combinations are available, we're partial to the classic red. View Deal
A personalized memento
Chatham Place "What a Difference a Day Makes" Burlap Print | Starting at $24.99 at Etsy
Choose a gift that supports the work of a small business and brings infinite meaning to your household, like this personalized burlap print that displays meaningful dates of your family. View Deal
Try out some tie-dye
Masha Apparel Violet Rainbow Tie Dye Bamboo Socks | $12.50 at Amazon
These hand-dyed tie-dye socks made with bamboo are an instant mood booster. Need we say more? View Deal
Choose Fair-Trade
Banka Mundi Frame - Multicolor 4" X 6" | $34 at Saltbox Sash
Deciding one object to represent fair trade home decor site Saltbox Sash was incredibly difficult, but our eyes couldn't navigate away from this rainbow picture frame, made of bone and wood. Gift it along with a favorite photo so together you can reminisce about that day when... View Deal
Additional resources to find small businesses to support
- Amazon Handmade - Amazon's marketplace that supports creators
- Amazon's Small Business Gift Guide - A holiday round-up of gifts that support small-businesses that sell on Amazon
- American Express Small Business Map - An amazing resource to find small businesses, including restaurants located near you. However, for inclusion, they must accept American Express as payment
- Etsy - The go-to marketplace for anything handmade, handcrafted, personalized, and even vintage
- Uncommon Goods - The ultimate destination for innovative and unique gifts
- West Elm Local - Highlights creatives and designers so you can discover the best in decor, soft goods, furniture, lighting, and more