Supporting Small Businesses
I for one am glad that Black Friday is behind us. I love a good bargain as much as the next person, but I really don’t like that panic buying frenzy. Personally, I’m more excited about Small Business Saturday on December 5th. It’s a day to celebrate all that small businesses are about and I’m looking forward to discovering some new brands.
Whether it’s a local florist, jewellery maker, or online store, small businesses are everywhere if you know where to look. There are more than 5 million of us in the UK alone! Small businesses are often more ethical, more customer-focused and more committed to quality than the big brands. We also often offer better value for money, as we don’t have shareholders to keep happy, or major TV advertising campaigns to pay for.
If you want to support small businesses when you’re Christmas shopping, here are a few ideas to get you started….
Foodie gifts
Head to your local farmers’ market to pick up some fantastic local produce. A wicker basket chock full of chutneys, biscuits, honey and other preserves is sure to go down a treat.
Activity gifts
You could book your loved one a pampering session at a local spa, a cookery class at a restaurant, or a flying lesson at a local flight school!
Artisan gifts
Why buy a mass produced vase or cushion, when you can get such amazing quality handmade gifts? Check out Folksy, Etsy, and local craft fairs for jewellery, hand knitted accessories, and decorative objects.
Alcoholic gifts
Most vineyards are small businesses, but they often sell their grapes to bigger brands. However, there are several smaller wine producers right here in the UK, that you can buy from direct. Find a vineyard near you at the English Wine Producers website. You could even buy your loved one a tour of a vineyard, or a wine tasting day, along with a couple of bottles to open on Christmas Day.
Beauty gifts
Small natural beauty businesses are far more ethical than most of the high-street beauty brands, and are often better value for money as well. My products are handmade right here in the UK and I check each and every one before it’s sent out.
I take real pride in what I sell – to me, that’s what being a small business is all about. If you’re one of my customers, I’d like to thank you. As a smaller retailer, every single one of my customers really is important to me.
Read more about the benefits of buying from a small business.
To celebrate Small Business Saturday, I’m offering 10% of all orders! Enter discount code ‘SBS’ at checkout.
(Terms & Conditions: Discount code applies to any number of products on the Narynda website. Your 10% off will be calculated at checkout. Offer valid once per person, only on Saturday 5th December 2015. Offer expires midnight 5/12/2015).