Why Shopping Small Matters This Holiday Season
As the holiday season begins and gift lists start taking shape, there’s a growing call to support small businesses, both locally and online. But why does it matter? The reasons are deeper and more impactful than many people realize.
When we shop locally, we help strengthen our own communities. A small business owner’s profits usually cycle straight back into the local economy; supporting jobs, schools, services, and the character of the neighborhoods we value. By contrast, profits from large corporations often flow to shareholders and executive pay, widening the economic gap and offering little long-term benefit to the people who live in the community.
Small businesses also bring personality and originality to our local areas. They offer diverse, handcrafted, and one-of-a-kind items that you simply can’t find at big chain stores. Shopping small gives you the chance to share gifts with real meaning, pieces made with care, creativity, and heart.
Because small businesses are rooted in their communities, they often contribute more to local nonprofits, support other independent makers, and prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Many artisans put an enormous amount of intention into sourcing materials responsibly and creating work that supports the well-being of both our local and global ecosystems.
And on a personal level? Your purchase genuinely matters. When you buy from a small business owner, you’re helping keep the lights on, food on the table, and kids clothed. It’s meaningful in a way that far surpasses a generic online cart.
Shopping small doesn’t have to be limited to what’s in your town, either. Many makers don’t have the resources for a physical storefront, and the only way they can share their work is through an online shop. Supporting them is just as impactful, and often leads you to treasures you’d never find otherwise.
A Heartfelt Way to Give
As you step into this season of giving, I invite you to keep small businesses at the top of your list, both the ones in your neighborhood and the makers sharing their work online. That’s exactly what I’m doing this year.
And if you’re looking for meaningful, heartfelt gifts - pieces that carry story, hope, and a touch of the natural world - my artwork is created with that intention. Each piece is designed to bring beauty, connection, and a sense of calm into the lives of those who receive it.
You can explore my available work, including giftable small mixed-media original artworks, in my online shop here.
May your holiday season be filled with connection, creativity, and the joy of giving with purpose.
