Why shop small?
With holiday shopping looming in the minds of many, and bracing ourselves for delays in the USPS, I’m sharing my holiday gift guide a bit early this year! There are many great, well-documented reasons to shop small, particularly in our current socio-economic climate. Often, small business owners are personally invested. We’re passionate about our product (especially when it’s made by hand!), and want you to have a positive experience as a customer. We build relationships, both with customers and fellow business-owners. We share referrals, we collaborate, we connect. We are generative. We invest money in our communities… not in billionaire space projects.
To put it simply: your dollars make an impact.
Here are a few of my favorite small and local businesses…
Homegoods, apparel, jewelry, & more in the cutest little island shop!
Our neighbors in downtown Cape Vincent have the best puzzles— & so much more!
Addie Best (pictured) & the Pickety Witch
I absolutely love the unique prints & artwork we have in our home!
Garland City Beer Works (pictured) & Ithaca Beer Co.
Growlers & gift certificates are always welcome…
Blondie Bakes (pictured), Bread Alone Bakery, & Ithaca Bakery
Who doesn’t love delicious baked goods?
Haymakers Coffee Co., Peaks, & Gato Diablo Coffee
Because no day is complete without coffee.
There are few places in the world as magical as a bookstore. Some of my favorites include…
Add an inscription! I often write a little message to the recipient on the first page, and love finding inscriptions in old books. In fact, one of my most cherished books is one that was signed as it was passed down generations in my family!
Headland Homestead
A small scale, environmentally conscious hemp farm, producing my favorite CBD salve.
The Double Extracted Reishi Tincture was a household fav last winter!
Ethically-sourced witchy goods, indie tarot, & more…
HF Photography & Megan Putney Photography
Capture the holiday magic with a photo session…
Tarot readings make excellent gifts for the witches in your life!
Plan a stay at this super-cozy Upstate NY B&B!
Thrift it!
Shop sustainably — shop second hand & thrift shops! But just like with big chains vs. small businesses, I try to be concious of how I direct my dollars. I love shopping at my local thrift shop — it’s volunteer run & proceeds benefit the local food pantry!
Make it yourself! Maybe it’s the heavy Cancer placements in my birth chart, but I love handmade gifts— lumpy scarves, the jam you made, whatever. If it’s from the heart, that’s the greatest.
And finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share my own family’s business, and the home of HWB! Growing up with parents who are indie makers and SBO’s, I got a “behind the scenes” look at what it really takes to run your own shop, and I am so thankful for their shared experience and support!
And that’s one of the most important thing about shopping small— your purchases make an impact on real people in your communities. So please join me in shopping small this holiday season — and beyond!
Want to get the word out about a small business that you love?
Drop their info in the comments!
Shop Hedge Witch Botanicals
Handcrafted apothecary & magical miscellanies for the modern witch, established 2018.
