Shop Small Gift Guide 2021
Hey! So it's that time of the year again when gift buying kicks into gear. Do you have a plan yet for your gifting? If not, you are in the right place, take a look at the unique shops below that will make it fun to shop small this year.
Why Shop Small?
Although many of us may head to familiar ground to buy our gifts or fall for the convenience of one of the large retailers that dominate the online market there are excellent alternatives to the big guys, that will help support small sole-proprietors, makers, and creative and innovative entrepreneurs.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the amount of small businesses online has grown exponentially. That has turned shopping online - while at the same time supporting a small business - the easiest it has ever been.
Shopping from a small business provides many benefits. They are job creators, even more so than large corporations, and pump money back into their communities. Their products are often unique and personalized and, their customer service tends to be warm and caring. Best of all, you will have a direct positive impact on the lives of these small business owners and their families when you buy something from their shops.
These are some of my picks for the "Shop Small Biz Gift Guide" for 2021. Most of these lovely gals are people I met while growing my small shop, Summer Indigo, online. They have one thing in common: Being unique and talented individuals, that have brought their ideas and passions to fruition through hard work and dedication.
Enjoy checking them out, and happy "Shopping Small" to all!
Home Decor & Dining:
Darrellene Designs
Enjoy a lovely selection of French-inspired kitchen and home decor by heading over to Darrellene's country chic shop. It is full of her and her family's handpainted creations. If you have friends who love France, French cheeses, and handpainted motifs, this is the perfect shop to go gift hunting.
Check out what Darellene has to say about her art-based business:
"Darrellene Designs creates art to encourage and make you smile. All of our art is painted by Darrellene, Tommy, and Delaney and then printed as a giclee on wood to create art, lazy Susans, coasters, and Inspirational boards. We also have a line of pillows, mugs, and Christmas Aprons."
Click to shop Darrellene Designs
A Southern Sideboard
Continuing with the Kitchen and Dining theme we find "A Southern Sideboard" where gorgeous Teak wood charcuterie boards and other serve-ware are featured. You will find great prices and beautiful gifts to give to your gourmet friends or use at your parties and celebrations.
Owner Mandy Ferguson has this to share:
"A Souther Sideboard offers creative solutions for casual entertaining. Our sustainable wooden charcuterie boards and carefully curated accessories help take the guesswork out of your next gathering so you can relax and enjoy the moment."
Click to shop A Southern Sideboard
Holiday Specific Gifts
Keepsack Co
Put a personalized stamp on reusable Santa or book bags. These are great for gift giving or to place under the tree for the kids to find on Christmas Day. They are a plus for the environment, especially if you are tired of seeing gift wrap and packaging getting thrown away year after year. Why not splurge on these beautiful made-just-for-you alternatives?
The cliff notes description of this innovative and eco-friendly biz, by owner and designer Emily Galey:
"Custom Christmas Santa sacks and gift bags made of heirloom - quality linen to be (re)used and loved and enjoyed for a lifetime."
Shop Keep Sack Co
Mah Melanin
If you are looking for Black Santa gift wrap, Santa sacks & cozy blankets, look no further than Mah Melanin, where Ken the Black Santa and his elves show up in an array of options. Totes, apparel and more also make an appearance in this New Orleans based store that also offers non-seasonal items.
What Ardean says about her shop:
"Mah Melanin offers unique and quality products reflecting Melanated cultures, because we believe that all cultures are beautiful and should be represented as so."
Click to shop Mah Melanin
Kids & Educational
Little Bean's Toy Chest
Charming and adorable felt-based quiet books are the inspiration behind Hai Anh's creative ideas. Here you will find gifts for kids of all ages, filled with fun activities and educational concepts.
Hai Anh explains her vision:
"Little Bean's Toy Chest offers creative and inspiring fabric activity books for toddlers and preschoolers. The hand-crafted books include cute designs and many fun activities to help the little ones with important developmental skills while keeping them happily engaged, away from the screen. Through creative themes and empowering messages, Little Bean's Toy Chest's quiet books also support parents in raising curious world explorers, leaders, artists, and change-makers, who are confident and capable in every tiny step of their growth journey."
Click to shop Little Bean's Toy Chest
TimTimTom - Bilingual Personalized Books for Kids
"The perfect gift for a bilingual child or child learning a second language in school. Personalize the book with your child's name, look, and one or two languages. Happy reading and cuddling up."
Click to shop TimTimTom
One-stop gift shopping
Designs by Dij
Owner Khadijah started this business creating 3D structural greeting cards and has now expanded her line to include purposeful umbrellas, backpacks, and a whole lot more. You will find a full line of African American art & merchandise lovingly created by "Dij" in her unique and vibrant style.
Khadijah describes her shop and brand:
"A stationery and gifts brand that creates bold, unique, and beautiful art that unapologetically celebrates black life."
Click to shop Designs by Dij
Haperson Hill
If you'd like to suport good causes and make this year's gift shopping easy on yourself and find everything in one place, Haperson Hill may be just the ticket for you. Gorgeous apparel, beautiful home decor, and eclectic options for gifts - large and small, all picked from socially responsible companies. She also carries a lovely selection of Holiday Inspired merch, such as advent calendars and, ornaments to name a few.
Owner Tami explains her vision:
"We make shopping easy and guilt-free with specially curated collections of women’s apparel, home goods, and gifts for everyone from companies contributing to social good!"
Click to shop Haperson Hill
Body Care
Who doesn't love getting nice smelling goodies as a gift? At the 517 Trading Co you can get made-for-you giftboxes that include handmade soaps, candles and bath bombs. Perfect for almost anyone on your list and you can choose from differnt sizes or just order a la carte!
In maker Karen's own words:
"We create handmade bath, beauty and home products that made with natural and organic ingredients, free of chemicals and/or detergents. It is very important to us that our products contain ingredients that work in harmony not only with your skin but also with the environment."
Click to shop 517 Trading Co.
Jewelry
Summer Indigo
Well, yes, that would be my little shop conveniently located right here on this site! :)
If the gift of a unique and quality gemstone piece is what you are searching for, look no further. I have created a few new collections just for the holidays, such as the Zen Shakti Collection inspired by Yoga, Mediation and Chakras,
I have some lovely Freshwater Pearl pieces for that oh-so-special gift.
You will also find some gorgeous Gemstone rings and earrings, set in silver and gold vermeil.
As always, you will find a ever changing curated collection of colorful creations from Tibet & Nepal for that Boho look.
And remember, you can always reach out to request something specific and custom made just for that special person.
I hope you enjoyed this little guide, let me know in the comments!
Christine
