Yahoo Finance How to Support Small Business Owners on a Budget
This holiday season, it's really easy to hit up Walmart and Target and knock out every single gift on your list in one go.
However, we're increasingly becoming a society that craves "one of a kind" and unique gifting experiences. While I'm all for literally gifting experiences, doing some or all of your shopping at small businesses or websites like Etsy can be a rewarding experience for both you and the small business.
Are you interested in putting some money into the hands of small business owners now but still have a tight budget? Check out these 10 items under $10 that you can purchase on Etsy that will brighten anyone's holiday. (To find the stores, just go to Etsy.com and type the store name into the search bar.)
Bubble and Geek: Everyone's got that one friend who is super into pop culture and really on top of their TV viewing. This store has the baubles for them. From wax melts to scented roll on fragrances to (my personal favorite) lip balms in scents and flavors that reference Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones and more, Bubble and Geek really does have every geek in your life covered.
2Marys: Is there a dapper gentleman in your life who could stand to spice up his wardrobe a little? 2Marys has a wide variety of fun bow ties. You can pick up a music note bow tie for your favorite music teacher or an under the sea scene for your favorite marine biologist and those are just two of many options.
GeorgiaTeaberry: For less than $10, you can find a nifty pendant for most of the ladies in your life, although you will have an especially wide selection of options for bookworms and women of faith. That being said, there are also a wide variety of song lyrics and clever ways to personalize the pendants.
Earthgrowncrayons: For the kids on your list, check out these adorable collections of eco-friendly crayons. Do you know a little one who is super into dinosaurs? Frogs? Whales? These handmade soy candles are created from earth minerals and organic ingredients and are entirely non-toxic.
PassionWoody: Everyone has one gypsy wanderer in their life and one thing every gypsy wanderer is on the lookout for is a way to distinguish their suitcase. Sure, you can tie a piece of ribbon on the handle, but a much cooler option is to find a unique baggage tag. PassionWoody has a wide variety of wooden baggage tags, along with quite a few other carved wood items under $10.
When you buy from Walmart, Sam Walton doesn't notice. When you buy a unique lip balm with a fun pop culture twist from Bubble & Geek, she does. Mom and pop shops also tend to minimize waste, so don't have to worry as much about shipping. They often also serve as a more direct link between the production of the goods and getting them to you.
In my experience, the customer service aspect is usually so much better, too. Not to knock some big box store employees, because certainly plenty are terrific, but when you're in a clothing store where most of the clothes were made by the proprietor, she's going to be happy to have a knowledgeable conversation about what will look best on you. A local furniture maker will be able to take into account the types of wood you love and the durability you're looking for better than a part-time Ikea worker.
Small businesses also offer coupons and deals to their customers. Many places have loyalty cards, but the most common way to score deals with smaller shops is to sign up for their mailing lists. This is the main way online businesses and even brick and mortar mom and pop stores keep their customers in the loop about inventory changes, deals and clearances.
The Etsy handbook encourages sellers to promote their coupon codes on Facebook and Twitter, so those are often the first places you'll find them. Sellers are also encouraged to include discount codes for future purchases in their packaging. Finally, be sure to scan the seller's actual Etsy site, which are common places to find coupon codes include in the shop announcement area, banner and profile.
So as the holiday season winds to a close and you're in the thick of the last-minute shopping hustle and bustle, don't forget about all the small local stores and the great internet resources like Etsy to help out small business owners while also putting a unique spin on your gift giving. Don't forget, local doesn't always mean more expensive!
Mel Bondar blogs at brokeGIRLrich, where she explores topics including how not to totally panic over adulthood, working in the arts and retirement strategies that don't involve living in a cardboard box under an overpass.
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