I must confess, I’ve been listening to Christmas music since August. Despite my discipline and refrain, I fell in feet first and pretended it was an accident. Who could blame you if Bublé’s Christmas album pops up while you’re streaming? If you’re anything like me, you’ve been planning Christmas gifts for months but sometimes the longer you think about it, the more you get lost in options. Don’t worry, I’ve looked high and low, swam my way out of a sea of options, and narrowed it down to some of my favorites.
This Christmas, shop small and support good people doing good things and giving back to their communities. Join the movement on Small Business Saturday (November 27th, PS. Earn up to 2x’s the points on your AMEX when you shop). In the meantime, be sure to follow these favorites for their upcoming sales!
UBR is dedicated to helping babes and their babes stay trendy, making it a great stop for your fashionable friends. The shop features a handful of brands and offers blankets, clothes, mugs, and more.
- Favorites: Good Vibes Only Tee and I Taco Tacos Tee
- Order Deadline: December 20th
- Discount Code: “AMA15” for 15% off all non-sale items
The pen is mightier than the iPad (sorry Steve). With all of the technology in tablets and laptops, they are still incapable of reproducing the feeling of touching pen to paper. Enter in Zero & Warwick for the artist, writer, reader, and craftsman.
- Favorites: Wooden Handbound Journal and Christmas Journal Ornament
- Order Deadline: December 15th
- Rush Order cutoff ($3 fee): December 18th
- Discount Code: FREESHIPZW for free domestic shipping
I love art festivals but let’s be honest, many items are overpriced and sometimes they’re slightly lacking in originality. Minted is essentially a compilation of all first place winners from all of the art festivals in the world, on one URL. Minted provides a global spread of art from independent artists. Whether you’re looking for art, frames, or an added flare to your photographs, you’ll find it on Minted. PS. These photo flares are the perfect excuse to gift yet another picture to Grandma and Grandpa.
- Favorites: You Me We and Custom Foil Footprints & Handprints
- Order Deadline: December 19th
Many cultures believe that jewelry attracts a divine conscious. A necklace worn is said to generate the “fighting spirit”, and a bracelet emits the “saviour energy of lightness”. Made by Mary harbors a remembrance, allowing people to hold special moments, places, and people close at all times. I honestly can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t want a bar necklace.
- Order Deadline: December 5th
- International Orders: December 3rd
- Favorites: Coordinates Bar Necklace and Mama & Mini Bracelet Duo
There’s a fangirl deep within all of us. For me, Gilmore Girls is one of my favorite pastimes. With the Year in Review around the corner and the “last four words” that my ears are ITCHING to hear, I’m sure your fellow Gilmore (fan)Girls would love all this shop has to offer. From Harry Potter to Parks & Rec, there’s something for everyone.
- Favorites: Where You Lead, I Will Follow and You Make My Heart Go Lumos
- Order Deadline: December 20th
- Gift Wrapping Option $5 for direct-to-recipient shipping
What can be said of the value of a signature? It’s a vow of love, an oath of honesty, a promise, a declaration of independence, the sealing of sincerest thoughts and wishes, and can bind you to terms of the most unpleasant of agreements. It’s also distinct and unique to each person. Caitlyn Minimalist allows one to hold grandma close or serve as a remembrance of wedding vows with their custom signature pieces.
- Favorites: Engraved Signature Disc Bracelet and Children’s Drawing Necklace
- Order Deadline: December 8th
- Discount Code: HAPPYHAPPY for 5% off
Embroidery is regaining a lot of its popularity and heck, look at it, it’s both
classic and gorgeous. The perfect addition to a wall of art or a splash of color to a plain space. Namaste Embroidery is rich in color and is just so pretty to look at.
- Favorites: Floral Wreath Hoop
- Order Deadline: Ready-to-ship- December 16th,
- Custom Requests Deadline- December 5th
- Discount Code: NOSHIP for free shipping
We all know the benefits of buying leather. It’s durable, easy to clean, classic, and just so good looking. RSVP adds even more personality to its pieces with graphic design. If you’re looking to give someone something with a personal and distinctive touch, check out their pet collars, camera straps, flasks, and passport holders (plus some).
- Favorites: World Map Passport Cover and Personalized Dog Collar
- Custom Requests Deadline- December 5th
- International Deadline (for shipping by December 8th)- December 16th,
- Discount Code: RSVPEFFORTLYSSEVENT for 5% off
I’m a sucker for products on a mission. For each blanket that you buy from Forever Home Blankets, another blanket is donated to a pet shelter to provide warmth and comfort to an animal waiting to meet its new family. They’re on a mission to increase pet adoptions and improve each animal’s stay until they’re rescued. Join the movement and snag one for every animal lover (or animal) on your list.
- Favorites: Royal Turquoise and Burgundy Red
- Order Deadline: December 1st
- Free Domestic Shipping
- Discount Code: AMOTHERADVENTURE for 15% off
Everyone loves a good throw pillow. So Vintage Chic offers a wide variety of pillows and tea towels. There’s also the option to personalize them. Perfect gifts for newlyweds, new homes, and the interior decorator at heart.
- Favorites: Be Still & Know and Bless this Mess
- Order Deadline: December 17th
- Market Appearances: December 3rd- Seattle, December 18th- Woodinville, WA Matthews Winery
- Discount Code: AMOTHERADVENTURE for 20% off
Creating some of the most durable and classic looking toys from their family barn (yes, it really is their family’s red barn), Smiling Tree Toys offers some of the sweetest personalized name puzzles, wooden blocks, teethers, and then some. Their educational toys are both fun and functional. Perfect for parents that are tired of stepping on Legos.
- Favorites: Picture Alphabet Blocks and Lacing & Tracing Toy
- Order Deadline: December 15th
I stumbled upon this shop by chance and I am absolutely smitten by it. I’m a sucker for things that help me feel connected to people, provide inspirational reminders, and remind me of special moments. This shop seems to do all of that and has something for EVERYONE, men, women, and children of all ages.
- Favorites: Long Distance Keychain, Friends Forever Puzzle Keychain, and Hooked on You
- Order Deadline: December 15th
- Rush-Order Deadline: December 18th
- Discount Code: ADVENTURE15 for 15% off through December 31st
Real people, real feelings, real life – is what this brand is all about. I am thrilled to see a company dedicated to helping people feel empowered. I’ve always preached “choose happy” from my soapbox and sometimes we need a little reminder. Their products are perfect for any friend living in the real world facing real life. During a time of widespread negativity, their “shine from within” necklace is a simple reminder of our self-worth and our ability to spread a little light where light might be lacking.
- Favorites: Shine from Within Necklace and Be Present Cuff Bracelet
- Order Deadline: In accordance with USPS shipping deadlines
Comment with your favorite small shop below! Happy Shopping!
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