...and Arguably, Always
The Christmas season is a time of joy and commemoration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It's a season when we come together with loved ones to create memories, sing praises, enjoy family traditions and eat delicious food.
For many the holiday season is also a time to show appreciation to one another by giving gifts. Gift-giving can range from stressful to frenzy-inducing fun, depending on your love language. Whichever side you fall on, I urge you to shop small this year.
Why Shop Small?
Earlier this year, my husband got laid off from the job that landed us a move across the country and the purchase of our first house. You never think these things will happen to you until they happen to you. It was the first time in our marriage I worried if we were going to "make it".
We made some drastic lifestyle changes. We cut back. We considered selling our house and living out of a camper van (for more than a few reasons). We considered another move.
Ultimately, we closed our eyes and opened our hands, trusting in God to provide.
By the grace of God, Employment Insurance, this small biz, and the support of our people, we got through that season. But since then, everything has changed. My husband has been considering a career change; picking up a part-time job while going back to school. Then our part-time childcare fell through shortly after the layoff, so I quit my part-time design job and have been pursuing this small biz ever since, to continue working with the flexibility to be a SAHM in this transitional season. This small biz made a huge difference during stressful times.
So I share this with bare-all honesty, shopping small is about more than just finding unique and one-of-a-kind gifts, services or experiences. It's about supporting real people. When you shop small, you're not just buying a special product – you're investing in someone's dream, a livelihood, a family. When you shop small you could be making the difference between food on the table or not; the ability to pay rent and bills, or not.
Where to Shop Small?
There are many places where you can shop small this holiday season. One great option is to explore your own downtown. Take a stroll down the snowy string-lit streets and discover hidden gems, from thrift shops and boutiques to cozy cafés, you'll find something to love.
Another option is to shop directly from the makers. Christmas and holiday markets are wonderful places to connect with small business owners to find unique and handmade gifts. You can also browse online platforms like Zazzle and Etsy, where you can connect with independent artisans from around the world.
And don't forget about your contact list. Many of us have family or friends who have their own businesses. Engage with their social media pages, reach out to them and see what they have to offer. Not only will you be supporting someone you care about, but you'll also be giving a truly meaningful gift.
Make a Difference this Holiday Season
Be intentional with your gift-giving, think ahead for who you will be buying for and plan accordingly throughout the year to avoid last-minute quick buys from big box stores. Resist the urge of flashy sales, whenever you see a huge sale it's proof of how much margin large retailers build in with their everyday prices. If you are in the privileged position to have discretionary income for gifting, please consider shopping small, it could honestly mean a family being fed instead of some old white guy lining his pockets.
So this holiday season, let's come together and make a difference with our dollars. Skip Walmart, abandon your cart on Amazon and forget about Costco*. Let's shop small and show our support for the small businesses that make our communities unique vibrant and thriving. Let's choose gifts that have a human and story and meaning behind them.
Let's shop small.
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*These are, in order, the top 3 largest retailers by revenue in the world, all owned by old, white, men.