Shopping Small This December
That’s right, it’s time for my annual Shop Small speech! Except this year, instead of stopping at “please do so,” I’m going to go a little bit farther and give you a few tips about HOW to do so. Because hey, I get it – I’m not Amazon. I can’t beat the convenience. But I still believe in the benefits of shopping smaller than the Bezos empire.
Just to reiterate the “why,” I’d like to share a bit of my own story.
I toyed with the idea of a creative business off and on for many years, but I didn’t really take the leap until June 2020. The pandemic was in full swing, my older daughter was starting school in the fall, and overall my life was going through some really big changes at that time. So, I decided to trust myself and give it a go.
It’s definitely been a rollercoaster since then, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t exhilarating! There is always so much to be thinking about and figuring out and doing – puzzles beyond the mental count of how many Bluey episodes we’ve watched and the estimations of how many snack times until the next nap that come with stay-at-home motherhood. Birds & Blossoms has been my little dose of freedom that I sneak into the cracks of my days doing school runs and grocery shopping and so on.
As a bonus, my girls get to watch me chase this dream, and the older one already talks about how she’s going to be an artist for a living just like mom. I love that I get to show them an alternative route to life compared to the stereotypical office job I had in my 20s. I also get to spend more time with them because I’m the boss! And I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend time with these hams?
So that’s my why. I run this business for my girls and my family, but also for me. It’s my little intellectual and creative escape.
And there’s a bright side for you as the shopper, too – I know personally, I am so excited for each and every purchase that comes through that I go above and beyond packing every order. When you buy from a small business, you’re likely going to receive a handwritten thank-you note and perhaps even a small gift you weren’t expecting. Small businesses give you that exceptional, personalized customer service that’s missing from the national corporations.
“But Hannah,” you might ask, “how can one efficiently shop small? I love the idea, but I don’t have time to go door to door downtown for everybody’s presents!”
Hey, I get it! Trust me, I really do. But I’ve found a few ways to make it a little easier, so I thought I’d share these tips with you too.
Follow your favorite small businesses on social media
Whenever I see a cute shop or a fun brand on Instagram, I give them a follow on their social accounts. Pretty much all of us are online in some form or another, so while we may not offer that sweet, sweet free same day shipping, we can still get things right to your doorstep – no extra errands required! Following social media accounts is a low-key way to keep in touch with small businesses and get alerts when they run sales or specials.
2. Look for gift guides that feature small businesses
I’ve noticed a growing trend to support small businesses by including their offerings in gift guides that takes a lot of the burden of sifting through sites off of your shoulders. Looking for gifts for your mom? Your brother? Your aunt who loves sci-fi? There’s a gift guide out there for whatever target market you need!
A great place to start is the Made By Her gift guide – each purchase supports a female artisan (including myself), and every item is handcrafted. Not a drop shipper in sight!
3. Do a gift shopping-themed date night
My husband and I like this one! We haven’t been able to wrangle it every year, but some years it works out. We get a sitter, go out for a relaxed dinner, and then tackle our gift lists by wandering in and out of the shops in downtown Ann Arbor. Sometimes you’ve just gotta go after two birds with one stone.
So there you have it! Those are my top three ideas for how to make shopping small actually manageable during one of the busiest times of year. Which one do you think will work the best for you? Do you have any other tips I missed? Give me a shout and let me know!