I’m back with the second in the 2020 Holiday Gift Guide series and this one is perhaps the most important…the one that supports small businesses. It goes without saying how difficult 2020 has been for small businesses and independent retailers. So many have struggled. Many have had to shut things down significantly or altogether.
As a reminder, I tend to curate these gift guides based on products we may already own, products I have my eye on, products that others share, and products from brands I’m already a fan of. There will be some inevitable cross-over so be sure to check out all the guides as I continue to share them. And as always, I’m covering a variety of price points for everyone’s budgets!
Some of these items may sell out quickly (but could restock) thanks to increased ordering and many retailers offering Black Friday pricing throughout the whole month of November. You’re best ordering as early as possible this year due to inconsistent shipping times. I’ve found there’s no rhyme or reason to what’s on schedule and what isn’t in Covid times. Even items from the same company have been on different timelines.
Lastly I want to share something I saw on Instagram which I found so lovely…while supporting these small businesses with dollars is preferable, there are other free ways you can help support (leave reviews, follow and engage on social media etc.)! Check out Lauren McPhillips post for more.
01. Farmhouse Pottery will never not be a good idea. I have and love many of their pieces and this bread board and bow would be welcome by anyone.
02. I was recently introduced to Wild Lavender and generously gifted some mugs from their shop, including these swirl glaze mugs handmade by independent artisans. Use code STARRFREE for free shipping on your order.
03. The owner of Oleamea is an Instagram follower of mine and was kind enough to send me some olive oil to try awhile back. I’m hooked! There’s so much to love about the company, beyond that the oils are delicious. It’s a family affair (her parents produce the olive oil in Turkey and help support local farmers), everything comes in the most beautiful packaging, AND they donate a percentage of all sales via The Conscious Kid, an organization working to promote positive racial identity development in kids. Right now you can get 20% off your Oleamea order with code BELIEVE.
04. Speaking of olive oil, how beautiful is this gold cruet from Abode Shoppe? Practical and decorative. Abode is a local shop beautifully curated by designer Gina Baran and is FULL of great home and lifestyle items in a variety of price points.
05. Janessa Leoné offers elevated and timeless accessories. From sustainable wool hats such as the Tia to leather bags and knit hoods, this is an easy brand to support.
06. Letterfolk started off selling letterboards and has since grown their inventory to offer a variety of products, including this customizable tile mat! I love that you can switch up tile colors and greeting.
07. The Loftie clock popped up on my Instagram feed and needless to say, I was intrigued. I’ve since learned that it was created to promote healthier sleep and overall wellness by ditching our phones at night. Loftie is a combo clock/white noise machine/nightlight/speaker and more. Available for pre-order with shipping in January.
08. Hoppe Shoppe is one of my favorite online shops and I’ve gone gaga over this simple incense holder by Notary Ceramics. Available in two colors, it’s both functional and beautiful as decor. 20% off everything through December 1 with code SHOPSMALL.
09. Ok so I couldn’t do a small business guide without including something from Campfire Pottery, a husband-and-wife run studio in Maine. All items are handmade and heirloom quality (their espresso cups are my favorite). The catch? Everything is currently sold out but there is a restock happening this Friday the 27th! And you can always give a gift card.
10. Give the gift of hand washing! Ha, it’s so 2020 right? But seriously, clean beauty shop Follain has some of the best soap and lotion around. The soap is refillable and both are non-toxic and gentle enough for any skin type (or the washing of hands 20x a day).
11. Oh Elsie Green, how I love thee. They’re a family-run California company focused on sustainability and (mostly vintage) curated goods from around the world (our gorgeous bread board? From Elsie Green.). Also from this shop are French gigogne glasses that we use for wine and coffee alike.
12. Bloomist is another go-to small business of mine, a brand whose goal is to bring more nature into more homes, doing so with a global community of artisans and environmentally responsible partners. Gift the chef in your life this twine stand with cutter and everyone wins. Use code PRESENTS25 for 25% off your order of $125 or more.
13. Who would’ve thought a year ago we’d today be picking out which mask to wear with our outfit. For winter I’m really feeling the rich velvet of this handmade mask by Angela Frost and the color is both versatile and special.
14. 2020: the year of loungewear. It’s hands down what I’ve spent most of my clothing money on this year! MATE is an LA based brand offering cozy clothes sustainably made with non-toxic, natural and organic materials. Their classic raglan sweatshirt and classic terry sweatpants are what I’ll be living in this winter. 30% off sale going on right now.
15. Cozy season means allllll the blankets and what’s more seasonally appropriate than this oversized buffalo check blanket? Weston Table is a truly lovely shop in my hometown of Weston, Mass that sells everything from kitchen goods to stuffed animals. Sure I chose one thing to showcase here but do yourself a favor and spend time on their site (or pop in if you’re local). You will find endless items to gift your loved ones (or yourself)!
16. While I wear essentially the same rings, necklaces and earrings every day, I love stacking different bracelets. I love this adjustable LOVE bracelet which is handmade in Kenya by women of the Maasai community for Jayson Home. Wear it with a delicate semi-precious bracelet.
17. Everyone needs a balsam scented candle for the holiday season and the chic packaging of this one from Brooklyn Candle Studio makes it a perfect choice.
18. Earlier this year I gifted myself with this handmade gorgeous ring from Aquarian Thoughts (a Black-owned business). It features a natural raw Herkimer diamond and you can select the metal you’d like and orientation of the diamond. I wear it on my middle finger by itself but it would look so beautiful stacked! Especially because it’s surprisingly affordable.
19. I introduced Estelle Colored Glass in this post spotlighting Black-owned businesses and their handmade glassware makes for great gifts, especially this set of 6 blush colored stemless glasses (also available in other colors).
20. 100% cashmere. Aids in sleep. Who wouldn’t want this Super Diva eye mask from Lingua Franca? 20% of each piece sold will be donated to the ACLU Women's Rights Project.
21. I share my love for Caraway cookware often on Insta and they are in the midst of a rare sale right now! Up to 20% off their non-toxic, mineral-based, non-stick cookware and essentials. You can go with a full set or mix + match colors and types.
22. Jenni Kayne is your go-to for minimalistic, beautiful and well-made clothing and accessories and these suede slippers have been on my wish list for ages.
23. I started taking CBD daily a couple years ago and can’t speak enough to its benefits and how it helps with various issues of mine (ranging from migraine related vertigo to neck + back pain). I recently switched to Equilibria after hearing positive reviews and I feel even better than before (it’s full-spectrum). While it’s geared towards women, men can take it too! The best part is that they have dosage specialists who will guide you on what products and dosages to take. Use code REFEMILY-9872 to get $20 off your first order.
Did you catch our first guide?
emily
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Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase a product I've linked to, I may receive a small commission at NO additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the brands I support!
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