In this upcoming season of giving (and giving thanks!) and spending, I would be remiss to not share more about favorite small businesses that you can support during the holiday season – many of them with special, beautiful holiday collections and heirloom or personalized gifts! I wanted to share more about several favorite small businesses who would love, love, love your support, and many of them are owned and run by dear friends of mine in the creative industry. I know JUST how much your support and purchases would mean to them, this year more than ever! At the bottom of this post, I also share a myriad of (free or inexpensive!) ways that you can support small businesses both now and in the future. I cannot stress just how important it is to support small businesses, the talented, brave, hard working, incredible people who own and/or run them, and the missions and hearts behind these businesses!
There are so many incredible small businesses that I adore, and I think it’s so vital to support them — both in how you steward and spend your money and in so many other ways, too. Supporting and encouraging fellow creatives, women-empowered businesses, local makers and doers, and smaller shops is so important, and I know many of these ladies and gents firsthand… which means I know the heart, hustle, attention, and love that is poured into each and every customer, sale, and item that is created. As a fellow small business owner, I know exactly how exhilarating, rewarding, and encouraging it is when someone chooses to invest in me — and I hope we can all do the same, especially this year!
Here are a few of my favorite shops that have some amazing holiday collections and truly beautiful gifts, and be sure to check them out as you do some holiday shopping!
Lindsay Letters (holiday collection launches 10/29)
Ivy + Linen Design (holiday collection and Christmas cards launched)
Mason Dixon Designs (holiday collection launches 11/1)
Simply Jessica Marie (holiday collection launched)
Oatmeal Lace (holiday collection and personalized ornaments & stockings launched)
All She Wrote Notes (holiday collection launched)
Em Paper Co. (holiday collection launches 10/29)
Longest Time Design (holiday collection closes 11/2)
Jordan Emmitt (ornaments launched)
And, as always, there are so many equally important and vital ways to support small businesses (and friends who own or work for small businesses) without having to spend a penny! I repeat, all of these are free (!) and most can be done without having to move from the couch!
- tell your friend or a small business owner that you are proud of them and that they’re doing a great job
- like or follow their business pages
- comment on their posts
- share their posts (social media or blog)
- save their posts
- refer or share the business with a friend (or a dozen!) who think they made love those products or services (personal referrals are far and away the most common way for me to book weddings, and it absolutely means the world!)
- if you’ve bought a product or used their services, write a review on as many platforms as you can
- tag friends in a post or forward it to them
- give them a shout out or compliment them
- ask them how their business is going or if there is anything you might be able to do for them
Simple, right?! I cannot stress just how much it means to myself and to each and every business owner I know when our businesses are supported! I’m pretty darn positive every one of us does a happy dance every.single.time someone books with us or purchases something of ours. It truly means everything to see our businesses, our work and creativity, our livelihood, and our dreams supported! A million heartfelt thanks in advance, and happy (almost!) holiday season!
Raleigh Wedding Planner 
I LOVE that you did this! I’m so excited to shop small this year! 🙂
Aw good! I’m so, so glad — and it was a blast to put together!