If you plan to buy gifts for any upcoming holidays, consider purchasing from small businesses. This is especially relevant for Small Business Saturday in November but also applies to any gift-giving occasion year-round. It may seem convenient and cheap to purchase from larger chains as we often do, but diverting at least some of our spending toward small businesses makes a huge impact on those businesses – and, ultimately, the economy. When we invest in hardworking people whose living depends on selling their wares, we support their existence and the continuation of a healthy middle class and availability of higher-quality, locally-made products. Ultimately, what goes around comes around: buying small business gifts supports actual people and families. This gives them more income to better their lives and fuel their own local economy, instead of feeding a corporation where profits are diverted in less impactful ways.
Why We Should Support Small Businesses
A small business owner’s livelihood depends on customer satisfaction and positive reviews. There is a much higher incentive to provide quality products that don’t malfunction or get damaged during shipping. Buying cheaper products from corporations isn’t subject to such scrutiny. Corporations deal with customer complaints all the time because they can afford to risk customer satisfaction on producing large quantities of cheaply made items (and with cheap labor). Small business owners put more integrity into their work because they can’t afford to have unhappy customers leaving bad reviews. So even though you spend a little more, you are more likely to have an item that is well made and with quality materials. Plus, you can worry less about toxins used in the manufacturing process. Hand-sewn face masks from a small business owner, for instance, don’t have a strange chemical smell present in cheaper masks from a larger company overseas.
A Guide to Buying Small Business Gifts
I’m all about gifts that are both functional and attractive so that it’s neither a frumpy-looking tool nor an overabundant trifle. Beautiful things that serve no purpose need to be beautiful enough to actually bring you joy when you see it, in order to warrant being dusted/dusted around without serving a function. That being said, there are plenty of gorgeous gifts that fit that bill as well as many functional things that are also attractive. Below is a list of some ideas for small business gifts you can purchase from an array of Etsy vendors. Get your shopping list handy!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means I may earn commission if you click through the link and finalize a qualifying purchase. This does not affect the price in any way.
Small Business Gifts for Young Kids
1. Pikler Triangle
A Pikler triangle is an excellent indoor climbing toy that my boys continue to enjoy for years. You won’t find cheaply made children’s climbing equipment due to strict safety standards, so the nice thing about Pikler triangles is you typically can’t go wrong with quality. Some people prefer an unpainted light wood colour, which especially accents a Scandi-style home and typically costs a little less, but I love the ones with rainbow rungs for that happy colour pop.
2. Stacking Rainbow
A wooden rainbow stacking toy is a simple but satisfying and interactive stacking toy for children and babies. Little ones can create multiple arrangements and learn how curved objects balance and stack. The wooden pieces fit together in the shape of a rainbow but can be stacked upside-down, sideways, and fanned out. A rainbow can become a tunnel or a curving line of pieces placed on their sides. Open-ended play is ideal for children to develop confidence in their ideas and exploration. The rainbow pieces are smooth, sturdy and non-toxic. And in addition to stimulating creative play, this nesting rainbow is also visually appealing to display in the home. Ours is happily displayed on the living room bookshelf!
3. Fidget Toys
Fidget toys are quite popular among kids of all ages (and adults), and for good reason. They are fun to handle and manipulate to release tension, or just for fun. If you know any kids whose hands always want to be doing something, this would be a great gift for them!
You can go a step above and give small business gifts that are a little less common and way more interesting, though. This 3D-printed gear ball provides endless fascination and is just as fun for adults as it is for kids. I bought one for my son (but honestly it’s the adults who end up loving it more)! Its smooth texture and beautiful colouration never gets old.
4. Fidget Toy Advent Calendar
Even more exciting: a fidget toy advent calendar! Let a child open each day’s special toy for a fun new surprise that lasts several weeks. While chocolate advent calendars are wonderful too, this is a perfect sugar-alternative! And, frankly, this would also be a fun gift for an adult.
5. Magnetic Fishing Game
A magnetic fishing game is a great gift for kids who enjoy manipulating objects and especially magnets. Bonus points if they love fish! My toddler enjoys a similar magnetic woodpecker toy (Amazon affiliate link from the Top Bright store) that he received as a gift. Anything with magnetic tools to manipulate toys is fun for kids!
Small Business Gifts for Adults, Including Men
While most people prefer lists that divide gifts by gender (understandably), I’ve found that many gifts are suitable for both men and women. There tends to be a much greater selection, however, of gifts geared toward women. And while it is true that both men and women can enjoy things that are traditionally geared toward one sex or the other, the next section covers gifts that are traditionally for women while this one includes a few that may be geared more toward men but which are suitable for anyone.
1. Docking Station
This docking station is an attractive and functional gift. There is a designated spot for a mobile phone, wallet, keys, pen, watch, sunglasses, or whatever items are usually stashed in a pocket. And there is the option to customize! This gift is especially helpful to keep organized and to keep from misplacing important belongings (you know, like car keys).
2. Game Against Office
Game Against Office is a fun gift for anyone who loves the American TV show The Office. While it isn’t for everyone (you have to have at least seen the series), it’s a perfect gift for someone who enjoys that show!
3. Romance Tokens
I like the idea of gifts that promote ‘together-ness’. Games (such as the one listed above) help to do that since they require multiple players communicating with each other in a fun and new way. These romance tokens aren’t necessarily a game but are a fun way to facilitate romantic activities with a partner, especially when brains are fried and no one’s feeling too creative any given day. Sometimes the power of suggestion is enough to stimulate a fresh turn of events.
4. Personalized Photo Jigsaw Puzzle
Another together-gift is a personalized family photo jigsaw puzzle. It’s thoughtful and can be very meaningful if you know your recipient well and which sorts of people/animals/places would bring them the most joy. Assembling jigsaw puzzles brings people together and is a simple but relaxing activity that also fosters easy conversation. And, when completed, you could opt to frame it and hang it on the wall (make sure to pick a good photo)!
You do need to be careful about personalized photo gifts, though. My sister and I always laugh about how parents love to gift these things but somehow choose the worst photos of us. Careful that the photo you use is flattering enough that your recipient feels confident to have on display (rather than hide and lovingly snicker about)!
5. Socks with a Message
These funny socks are customizable to include whatever snarky remark you think the recipient would enjoy. Current text options include ‘If you can read this, bring me a glass of wine’ and other such comments. It’s a fun way to send a message while kicking up your feet to relax!
6. Inspirational Mug
For someone who appreciates Christian encouragement, this inspirational mug reads uplifting Bible verses in response to various negative feelings or beliefs. It’s a wonderful gift to provide a reminder of encouragement while sipping a hot beverage.
7. Glass Teapot
For someone who enjoys tea, this glass teapot is a must have. Many decorative teapots are gorgeous but contain alarming levels of lead. A safely made glass pot eliminates that health risk and is still an attractive vessel for crafting the perfect cuppa.
8. Personalized Moon Lamp
A personalized photo moon lamp is a beautiful and creative gift for anyone. It provides a pleasant, soft glow in the evening when lights are dim (or off) while illuminating a dreamy photo of loved ones.
9. Moonstone Sphere
For someone who simply loves beautiful decor, this stunning moonstone crystal sphere is an elegant gift would look nice in any home. It comes in various sizes for any space.
10. Salt Lamps
Lamps are a classic and practical gift because everybody can benefit from more ambient light. Salt lamps are especially nice because they emit a gorgeous glow. A color-changing salt lamp provides an alternating rainbow of gorgeous colors (I bought a sphere-shaped one for my son’s room and we love it). And a salt lamp with a dimmer switch is ideal for a bedroom where you want to reduce the brightness as you wind down. Another great thing about salt lamps is that they are small enough to give as a gift without the recipient having to worry about rearranging furniture to find a place for it.
11. Mason Jar Lamp
A fun lamp that would suit someone who loves unique decor is this fillable mason jar lamp. You can put any type of decor inside the mason jar so that the lamp doubles as a decorative piece and a light source. Fill it with shells, Christmas trinkets, pretty pebbles, colorful gumballs, colorful crinkle paper, or whatever you wish!
12. Scalloped Lamp
These unique vintage style scalloped lamps are gorgeous and classy and would especially suit any home with midcentury modern decor. For someone with good taste who appreciates nice things, these lamps are small enough to easily gift without the recipient needing to re-arrange current decor in order to fit it somewhere.
13. Cat Lamp
If you know anyone who loves cats, then you know how easy it is to shop for them. All you have to do is get them cat things. Cat socks, cat scrubs, or cat lamps, in this case. This cat lamp is a gem for any true cat lover. Far from being simply a cutesy ‘cat lady’ decoration, its unique and elegant shape and classy appearance would suit any home (especially one with a cat)!
Small Business Gifts for Women
1. Funny Sister Mug
This silly sister mug is funny enough to give any sister a laugh while sipping her morning coffee. And sometimes, more than coffee, what we really need every morning is a good laugh!
2. Cat Petting T-Shirt
Back to cats (because there are just too many fun cat-themed gift options!), this funny cat petting guide T-shirt is something all cat lovers will recognize and appreciate. The categorized cat body segments and their ‘pet-ability’ are quite accurate!
3. Home Spa Gift
While a home spa kit may not be the most personalized gift, it is still a pleasant and absolutely appropriate gift for someone who appreciates pampering their self. This one includes many refreshing and wholesome options for soap scents and for lip balm flavours.
4. Iridescent Rose
Many people love to receive fresh flowers, but how many have ever received an iridescent rose? This simple but beautiful rose is a stunning decoration to display anywhere.
5. Jewelry
Jewelry is one of the most personal gifts, as everyone’s tastes vary. You can find plenty of gorgeous, handmade jewelry from thousands of talented artisans on Etsy. Here are a few pretty finds to jumpstart your search for any jewelry lover:
Princess Jasmine earrings (because everybody knows her bling was the best)
Engraved ‘One Ring’ glow-in-the-dark silver hoop earrings
And finally, the last gift in this list is one that’s very specific to someone with pierced ears who loves Lord of the Rings, but the right fan with go crazy over these earrings that are glow-in-the-dark replicas of ‘the one ring’! They’re perfect for a Lord of the Rings themed party but are also subtle enough to wear anywhere.
The Takeaway: Meaningful Gift-Giving Supports Everyone
Gift-giving can be tricky but it is possible to give a good gift when you spend a little time considering your options. I am sure this small business gifts guide hardly covers everybody on your list, but hopefully there are at least a few gems that would make great gifts for someone you know! Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a relaxing weekend, and shop with a level head!