After this year and all of the small, local businesses which have had to close, we owe it to them to make an effort to shop small this Christmas. I saw an Instagram post which read that 'the big stores don't do a little 'jig' when they make a sale. Make someone 'jig' this year.", and I thought that was the absolute sweetest thing! Below is a list of all the small stores which I have supported throughout this year. I hope that they will inspire you to join me in supporting small businesses when you're purchasing your Christmas gifts this year.
Small Businesses in Reading
Starting with a small business which is local to me, I started getting my nails done at Amy Nails Reading last Summer, and haven't gone anywhere else since. I have dedicated posts on the gorgeous designs that I have asked for here, but my most recent set have been my favourite so here is a photo of those.
If you're local to Reading and you want to get a Christmas set from an incredibly talented and friendly family, please make an appointment here.
If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll remember that I threw an isolation birthday for Stephen and I bought some gorgeous goodies from some small businesses to help him have some delicious treats. I bought this stunning cake from Time for Tea Vintage, and this lovely afternoon tea spread from Cocolico Patisserie. Please do look into them if you're after any delicious Christmas desserts for you and your family this year.
Non-Local Small Business Favourites
Coconut Lane - I've shopped from Coconut Lane for phone cases for about two years now, and they're always super cute, and good quality. They cater cases for a lot of different phone models so there's something for everyone. I've switched between these two year this. The lightning bolt case matches the tattoo on my wrist, and was made in collaboration with one of my favourite Youtubers Molly, from the channel 'BeautySpectrum'. They also make stationary and other cases/skins for iPads, etc, so definitely check them out if you're shopping for someone who is also obsessed with pretty phone cases.
EEJewellery (will be changing their name to Lucent Studios from tomorrow!) - I've been absolutely obsessed with this jewellery brand since 2015 when my fiancé bought me a piece of their jewellery as an anniversary present. Their cosmic vibe is exactly up my street so they would be the perfect place to look if you know someone who is into constellations. They also create gorgeous homeware and stationary bits so they're definitely worth checking out. I have so much from here, but recently their lightning and cloud mismatched earrings have been my favourite.
Lisa Angel - I discovered this jewellery brand when one of my best friends, Jade, bought me a personalised zodiac constellation disc necklace from here. She also very kindly had my name personalised on to it in cursive, which I absolutely love. Over the Summer, I bought these gorgeous face earrings from there as well, and they're so unusually sweet. I love them. A great place to go for personalised jewellery.
Junk Jewels - I actually found this company through a Facebook ad which caught my eye. I've purchased SO much from them this year, from their stunning rainbow hoop earrings to their 'you are magic' disc pendant necklace. I get everything in rose gold, but they also offer silver and gold in most pieces. I'm so obsessed. The jewellery is absolutely stunning, super well priced, and is so lovingly made. Super fast shipping too!
Creative Feel Designs - Alina is the gorgeous calligrapher who I learnt Brush Calligraphy from earlier in the year during the first lockdown, when I sent away for her course workbook. She also makes temporary tattoos, this gorgeous 'kindness is everything' brush lettered tshirt, and has recently starting selling handmixed ink pots in a variety of colours. If you know someone who wants to take up calligraphy, Alina is 100% the right person to go to. I've learnt so much from her. She is so kind and welcoming and I'm grateful to have come away from this year with a new skill that I love so much.
Cherelle and Cheryl Candles - I have an entire blog post on this black owned candle company run by twin sisters, but I still love the candle I bought from them a few months ago, and would still grateful welcome more as gifts. Their candles have incredible scents which last forever, and they're entirely soy, vegan and cruelty free which is amazing.
YR Studio - A much more recent candle find for me has been YR studio, but I am already so in love with them. I bought their 'Pumpkin Spice' candle for Halloween, and have since fallen in love with the year-round 'Cosy and Warm' scent which is chocolate and vanilla cookies scented. Heaven. We've also bought their 'Cosy Christmas' (Gingerbread) and 'Winter Wonderland' (Cranberry, Cinnamon and Orange) scents for the festive season, and we're so excited to burn them as soon as it hits December.
Mallys Crafts - My lovely friend and bridesmaid, Beth, actually introduced me to Mallys Crafts when she was shopping for her own wedding supplies, and I'm so grateful that she did because we bought the most gorgeous personalised welcome sign for our wedding, and this stunning rose gold ring box from them. I'm in love with it, and it makes me so excited to get married, (less than 6 months to go!), now that I'm seeing all of our wedding goodies arriving. One to keep in mind if you know anyone who has recently gotten engaged.
wearefamali - I found this brand on TikTok when one of their videos for their 'Spotify Glass Art' appeared on my for you page, and I instantly knew that it was what I wanted to get for Stephen for our 5 year anniversary. It was a while until he could open it, as he was in hospital on our anniversary, but he loves it as much as I do, now. I can't believe that the Spotify scan feature actually works - it's the COOLEST thing. I asked for the spotify code to link to what will be our first dance at our wedding, and it's probably the most sentimental gift I've ever bought for anyone. Definitely a fantastic small business to purchase gifts from.
The following are brands that I found on either Etsy or Notonthehighstreet (a fantastic website for gift hunting, as all of the brands on there are small businesses, and often, they offer personalisation on their items which is perfect for gifts!)
PenelopeTom - I bought Stephen's cufflinks for our wedding day from this brand and we love them. Another great idea if you're buying for a couple.
LiteraryEmporium - I've loved this brand for ages as I bought a few of their quote postcards for my classroom when I first became an English teacher, so they're fantastic for decoration. They also do fantastic pin badges, like this one, which my incredible maid of honour gifted to me when I was having a bit of a hard time in my personal life. Again, these make absolutely stunning gifts.
OutandAboutOfficial and GoldenxHour on Etsy - If you know me in real life, and you've wondered where I've been purchasing my face masks from, they've all been from one of these two small businesses. If face masks are here to stay and you want to gift a new one to either yourself or someone else, the masks from OutandAbout make me feel that little bit safer since they're gorgeous, as well as anti-microbial. I have a metallic pink silk mask from GoldenxHour and it's so stunning - adds to your outfit instead of taking away from it, and the silk is super comfortable against your face. I'm fortunately not someone who has been experiencing maskne, but if you know someone who is, I've heard that silk masks help to prevent that.
Four of my nearest and dearest also have small businesses, and I will link those below too!
So that's my comprehensive list of small businesses which I've loved this year, (some for many years!). I hope that it inspires you to join me in shopping small!
Happy almost December!
Comentarios