Tis the season for buying gifts. We will all be doing our share of gift-buying over the next few weeks. Whether we love shopping or hate it, the gifts need to be bought.
Tons of money will be spent on holiday gifts. Most of it will go to big retailers. They have the clout and supply chain logistics to provide us with the stuff we want at the best prices. (I get it, I shop there too.)
But wouldn’t it be nice to make a difference in someone’s life while at the same time buying gifts? Wouldn’t it be nice to pay once and give twice?
When we purchase gifts from small businesses or organizations that support worthy causes, we are helping others while getting something nice for our money. Won’t you consider giving twice this holiday season by making the extra effort to purchase gifts from local artisans, small businesses, or nonprofits?
Here is a short list of shopping ideas that will allow you to make a difference with your dollars. Give twice!
- Etsy. This large website is sort of like E-Bay for crafters and artists. If you’ve never browsed Etsy, give it a try. For additional online art sites, check out this link.
- Local Christmas or craft bazaars. Churches, libraries and other local groups often host these. Check your local paper or events website. You never know when you’ll stumble on that perfect gift for Uncle Tim.
- Support local small businesses. Look up your local business directory and find at least one shop worth visiting. Extra points if you’ve never been there before.
- Discover local artists. In addition to searching the web or the good old phone book, you can visit local art galleries, which often feature local artists. Coffee shops and cafes sometimes feature local artworks for sale, too. (In addition to the pieces at the shop, you can track down the artist and see what they have for sale.)
- Nonprofits and Fair Trade. Your gift-giving dollars can support artisans in other parts of the world through organizations like Ten Thousand Villages, Serrv, Fair Trade Winds, Uncommon Goods, Society B and The Little Market. For many more options, google “fair trade” plus the type of item you want.
