Last week we celebrated Small Business Saturday, it marked the ninth year of the event in the UK and we are delighted to see how much it has grown each year. Shopping small is such a rewarding experience, as there is value in understanding where things we buy come from and a more personable, and memorable customer service is provided for all.
The last few years have been a trying time for us all, so shopping small and supporting local businesses has become more critical than ever this Christmas. For every £1 spent in a small business flows back to the local community, positively contributing to employment and regional development. With that being said we have put together some Christmas gift inspiration from a variety of small businesses, including some of our lovely products for all the wonderful types of women in your life.
Loungewear Fan
Christmas is the one time of year that is acceptable for us to live in loungewear and not feel guilty when doing it. Ensure your loved ones are looking their best when they are lounging on the sofa watching their favourite Christmas movie.
That's where these cosy pyjamas from Nightire come in, offering an array of patterns Nighttire's luxurious loungewear sets are made from premium bamboo fabric. Not only do they look blooming fantastic they are also breathable due to the fabric's temperature regulating properties. We are big fans of their festive loungewear set!
Keen Crafter
The person who is always keeping busy with DIY projects and probably have an "idea list" as long as their arm. But no matter how many artistic activities they may have on the go, there's always room for more.Look no further than our stunning DIY wreaths, each kit includes quality dried flowers and wheat growing on our Shropshire farm, a wire frame to build on, plus wire to hold everything in place. They are available in a stunning range of colours and it's a gift that can be cherished for years to come.
Hostess with the Mostess
Lives for hosting parties, cooking up a storm, serving the best of wines and setting the most perfect tablescapes.They can impress with a rustic tableware setting by incorporating these stunning hand-printed napkin sets from Lottie Day at their next dinner party. Handmade in the UK on natural cotton, Lottie designs and screen-prints all her napkin sets and we love the fact that they are all inspired by Lottie's country home in Norfolk. They are the perfect Christmas gift that can be used all year round.
Feeling extra generous? Gift our Woodland Wreath along with the napkin set, it would make a fantastic centrepiece laid flat with a candle inside to create the ultimate tablescaping display.
Style Icon
Constantly on the hut to inject extra style to their wardrobe, you just can't fail with a fantastic scarf for them. Not only are scarfs essential in the struggle to stay toasty during the winter months, but they are incredibly cosy and extremely fashionable when you select the right one.This beautiful soft pashmina scarf from Forest & Co is the ultimate match for the stylish lady in your life. You can even make it extra special by adding a personalised birth flower of your choice and their initials.
Loves Everything Personalised
Gift them something that's unique to them, Tillyanna offer a range of exciting personalised tote bags which are the perfect size for shopping, taking on picnics or any fun family day out! The details are fantastic and each product is lovingly hand printed, pressed and packed by the Tillyanna team in their studio in Wales.
From Denim to canvas, there really is a style for everyone.
Stationary Lover
For the stationary lover in your life look no further than Martha brook, it's the home of delightful stationery that inspires and uplifts! It's such a feel-good lifestyle brand and the story of where it all begin is pretty epic.
Take a look at their stationary bundles, they make for a perfect Christmas gift for her - our favourite is the Personalised Bee Stationary Gift set.
Flower Obsessed
Save them having to spend a fortune on fresh blooms each week by sending them one of our delightful Letterbox Bouquets this Christmas, you can even include a Louise Mulgrew Christmas card with a lovely handwritten festive message.
Our dried flowers are 100% natural and biodegradable, meaning that they are eco-friendly and great for the environment. We carefully dry them here on the Shropshire Petals farm to make them last for months, and sometimes years!
They will arrive with your loved one wrapped in tissue in a box perfectly sized to fit through a standard letterbox, all they have to do is pop them in a pretty vase and cut down the stems at varied heights to make a stunning long lasting dried flower arrangement.
Comfort Is Key for Them
If you're really scratching your head for gift ideas then treat her to a dreamy pair of ONAIE bespoke handmade slippers. Nothing is better than cosying up with a good book, a cup of tea, and soft slippers on your feet.
They offer a wide range of beautiful embroidered slippers, handcrafted making every pair completely unique. The materials used will keep their feet warm in the winter months and cool in summer.
They also have a great sustainability and ethical policy.
Other ways to Support Small
There are so many ways you can continue to support small businesses through out the year:
- Leave them a little review on their website
- Sign up to their newsletter
- Like their posts on social media and share the bits you love!
- Spread the word, tell your friends about them
- Buy a gift card to use later in the year
Interested in finding more small businesses? Pop over to the Small Business Finder to see what's in your area!
