Gift-giving season has arrived and what better time to support small businesses? Whether you like to bulk up people’s stockings or prefer to stick to virtual gifts and gift cards (hey, no judgment), check out our gift guide below. Here are 13 small businesses to consider patronizing this holiday season—and beyond.
For the new parent: Latched Mama
Reasons to support this business: Melissa Wirt, the founder of Latched Mama, understands how isolating motherhood can be. She has dedicated herself to creating stylish-yet-functional products and established an online community and network for mothers.
Potential gifts: The Snuggle-Up Nursing Sweatshirt, The Everyday Nursing Hoodie, The V-Neck Daily Nursing Tee
For the sweet tooth: Doughp
Reasons to support this business: Besides making absolutely delicious cookie dough, Doughp is also committed to breaking the stigma around mental health and addiction recovery. Sugar mixed with a mission…what more could you ask for?
Potential gifts (all limited edition): Santa’s Doughp: Festive Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Naughty & Nice: Pretzels, Toffee & Chocolate Cookie Dough, Holiday Oatmeal Raisin: Spiced Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough
For the spicy food aficionado: Tia Lupita Foods
Reasons to support this business: When founder Hector Saldívar moved to California, his mother would ship him bottles of her special homemade hot sauce all the way from Mexico. Now he runs a whole store with hot sauces, chips, and other foods to share her flavors with the world and honor her memory. If that isn’t a beautiful origin story, then what is?
Potential gifts: Salsa Macha Variety Pack, Tia Lupita Hot Sauce, Cactus Tortilla Chips – Hot Sauce Flavor
For the crafter: Jenny Lemons
Reasons to support this business: “Colorful goods for crafty people” is the Jenny Lemons slogan. And they live it: This boutique and DIY art school has brightly painted walls and has been described by Gusto employee Jess C. as “a portal of sunshine.” If you’re looking to unleash your inner artist, this is the place for you. Bonus: They love to carry work from local artisans.
Potential gifts: Cactus Friends Embroidery Kit, Introduction to Watercolor Craft Kit, Fake Cake Craft Kit
For the flower lover: Fresh Sends
Reasons to support this business: Especially if you’re in a cold, wintry place this holiday, there’s nothing like a bouquet of fresh seasonal blooms and floral-scented gifts to kill the winter blues.
Potential gifts: The Send, The Fresh Set
For the earth lover: Public
Reasons to support this business: You can finally complete your New Years’ Resolution to “live a low-waste life.”
Potential gifts: Like a Boss: Full Strength Natural Deodorant, Vegan Coconut Shea Face + Body Soap Bar, Biodegradable Dental Floss Picks
For the dancer (or the parent with dancing kids): Sweet Yield Studio
Reasons to support this business: At Sweet Yield Dance Studio, both kids and adults have a space to express their creativity through the power of movement. While the dance studio may be located in Oklahoma, Sweet Yield offers an online membership for parents to give their kids so they can take a stab at a plié or two from the comfort of their home.
Potential gifts: Magic Membership (fully online), Adult Dancer Sweatshirt, Sweet Yield Gift Cards
For the green thumb: Modern Sprout
Reasons to support this business: Have you ever tried growing a plant on your own? How about cilantro? Whether you’re looking to add an extra condiment to your cooking or just want a shrub to keep you company, Modern Sprout will make it easy for you.
Potential gifts: Winter Bulb Kit, Tiny Terracotta Holiday Kits, Self-Watering Herb Kits
For the homebody: Karacotta
Reasons to support this business: Handcrafted, modern, and useful: The perfect trifecta for ceramics. Getting one of Karacotta’s ceramic mugs may be the easiest way to spruce up a boring morning coffee routine or your occasional afternoon beverage.
Potential gifts: Mermaid Jewelry Dishes, Ceramic Mugs, Tahoe Coasters
For the pal whose love language is “quality time”: Avital Tours
Reasons to support this business: Gift-giving can be overrated. Why not show your love and care through shared memories instead? Avital Tours can give you memorable food and drink experiences from the comfort of your home. If you’re in San Francisco, New York, or Los Angeles, consider looking into their in-person food tours and happy hours.
Potential gifts: Virtual Mixology Class, Virtual Cooking Class, Virtual Water Tasting (yes, that’s a thing)
For the fashion-forward friend: Sotela
Reasons to support this business: Finding clothes that fit you shouldn’t be so hard. Sotela was founded on the principle of providing inclusive clothing for bodies of all types and sizes. Bonus: They maintain a sustainable supply system and ship their clothing in 100% recycled materials.
Potential gifts: Jumpsuits, The Playa Top, Zero Waste Scrunchie Scarf
For the chef: Oaktown Spice Shop
Reasons to support this business: Let’s face it: Everyone’s homemade casserole this holiday season could use a little more seasoning.
Potential gifts: Spicy Cocoa Gift Box, Golden State Turmeric Duo, Elderflower Tonic Water Kit
For the makeup artist: The Lip Bar
Reasons to support this business: Founder Melissa Butler was fed up with the beauty industry’s “one-shade-fits-most” products. So, she channeled her frustration into action, whipping up vibrant vegan lipstick in her Brooklyn kitchen. Today, The Lip Bar is in more than 1,000 stores nationwide, including Target and Walmart.
Potential gifts: The Easy Beauty Bundle, The D Girl Collection, Everyday Eye Bundle
