Shopping small for the holidays – a creative and simple way to give a gift that was made with love and care.

Shopping small businesses at any point in the year is a great way to support real people who are trying to build a community and build up their passion, but during the holidays people are struggling more than ever to support themselves, and shopping small can be very important.

Many small business owners are also working other jobs like being a nurse or teacher. We see nurses throughout our lives and teachers almost every single day, and we only see the good parts. But they aren’t always happy about their job. They are starting small businesses for joy in their life, to create art and products and not have to be stressed about them, or for some extra money when times get tough.

A small business isn’t always a side job though. For many people, it’s a full-time job. Many students here at Verrado and in other areas of the world are running their businesses after school and on the weekends. It’s a way for teens to make money and also have fun with their lives outside of school.

A family member, Daniel Bolich, says this about running his business during the holidays. “Running a business during the holidays is so exciting, stressful, and yet nerve-racking all at the same time. It can be very slow at some points, but the Thanksgiving and holiday season is always the busiest. At the end of the day, it all comes down to making it work and hoping people love it and appreciate it just as much as I do.”

Starting a business isn’t easy. It takes time, money, and support. But there are also so many benefits like creativity, flexibility, and the satisfaction of creating something people want and love. Some ideas to think about when starting a business are how popular the item is right now, and will it still be popular in six months, whether it is something I like or is it something to make money, and fully understanding the ins and outs of everything.

It’s so important to understand everything that goes into a small business and how it affects the owners. The holidays are the most stressful, and important, yet also the best time of the year. Right now is the best time to shop for small businesses and help them out.

If you are looking for things like clothing, jewelry, hats, purses, and home decor, outlets like Etsy, Poshmark, Depop and social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok will have what you’re looking for in one search.

Finding locally sourced gifts for people helps the environment and your community so much, and during the holiday season, people are more likely to purchase gifts from Amazon or Target because of their fast shipping and because of how much they have already shopped there. This puts a pause on small business owners expanding their resources and community and it also affects their income and sales.

When buying something from a store like Target or Amazon, you’re buying a gift you probably didn’t spend time looking for, or it’s a gift you think they will like. When shopping with a small business, the possibilities are endless. You can get items in any color, design, pattern, or shape, and add personalization details like their name or an important date.

Shopping small is a very personal experience for you and who you are getting a gift for. But it’s also a personal experience for the owner. Knowing that you chose to purchase and support their business rather than a huge corporation is so meaningful for every small business owner.

This holiday season, try to reconsider your store options. There is a whole new world out there where you can get anything, from clothing to home decor, from someone who is passionate and has your best interests.