Culturally, I think most of us have been trying to be more ethical with our purchases the last few years. And a lot of us have been turning to small businesses to do so. Especially with the pandemic going on, it’s never been more important to support independent small businesses and keep them going throughout this chaos.
So to kick off my flurry of Christmas gifting posts, I wanted to start with a mammoth list of small businesses I think you should check out and shop with this Christmas. Most of these guys don’t have huge marketing budgets so they rely on word of mouth and social shares to get new customers. So I’ve tried my best to include all of the fabulous brands I’ve either shopped at or you guys have told me about when I asked you for recommendations on Instagram.
All of these brands are ones I think are fab and I have added quite a few of their products to my Christmas wish list this year! Oh and they’re split by product type to make it easier to find brands you’ll love. Hope you like them!
Fabulous Online Small Businesses To Shop This Christmas
Fashion & Accessories
Olive & Frank – A very cool, insta-fabulous, fashion brand focusing on colourful, feel-good clothes. And all at tidy High Street prices. I currently have this cute tee on my wish list and think this Tomboy jacket is just so cool.
By Megan Crosby – For something a bit out-of-the-ordinary, (think over-the-top, kitschy, colourful prints), this brand is the one to check out. And the best bit is that it’s all environmentally friendly. All clothes are handmade to order to avoid waste, and use sustainable fabrics and eco-friendly dyes. Oh and because it’s custom it’s modifiable! Dreamy.
Mutha Hood – Home of the Strong Girls Club tees you’ve probably seen knocking about on insta (including mine), Mutha Hood is full of gems. They stock lots of different categories – kidswear, toys, books, accessories – but I love them for their big sweatshirts (eyeing up this rainbow one right now).
Sasha Jane Lingerie – Based in Bristol, this lingerie brand has some luxury items for your wishlist. I wish I was cool enough to wear fancy pants, but to be honest I’m eyeing up their merino wool pom pom slippers!
Rock on Ruby – After slogan tees with a bit of sass? These guys are for you. There’s a lot to look at on their website, but I’m a fan of this “MUM PWR” tee and the personalised year sweats.
Sugar Hill Brighton – Ok they’re one of the bigger independent brands, but I’m newly obsessed with this company. They make fun and colourful, but still-stylish, clothes, including printed jumpsuits and lovely knitwear pieces. (I’d quite like this Tiger jumper and this planets jumpsuit, K thanks bye.)
About November – If you’re looking for some everyday hoop earrings, these guys do some lovely ones, and at really reasonable prices. Loving the fig wave hoops.
The Enthusiast – A lovely little burst of poisitivity, this mini-brand is all about being, you guessed it, enthusiastic! They only have a few products but I think these sweatshirts are pretty cool.
Homeware
Eleanor Bowmer – One of my absolute fave small businesses is Eleanor Bowmer. It’s a one-stop shop for beautiful, colourful prints, gorgeous wallpapers and pretty kitchen bits and bobs. I’ve bought a lot from this brand but I’m currently eyeing up this appropriate-for-lockdown mug.
Sunday Living – Ahh the homewares brand of the Insta gals, this is your go-to for bamboo trays and woven baskets. This face vase is also a winner.
Max Made Me Do It – Ngl I included this one purely because of their gorrrrrrrgeous “Grow Kindness” banner, which is just *chef’s kiss*. But they also do cool cards, gifts and prints.
Love Indy – I don’t just love this Etsy shop for the name! They do beaut rainbow pom pom wall hangings and garlands. A must for nurseries and kids rooms.
Seb and Charlie Design – A wonderful little entry in the small businesses category, these guys cover lots of product areas, but their prints are just really lovely. This Wash Your Hands print is obvs pretty relevant right now!
Studio Forty Seven – I have a bunch of candle recommendations, but my number 1 is for sure Studio Forty Seven, a vegan soy candle brand headed up by the interiors account Costa Del Deptford. I LOVE the Breathe candle and the Pause candle, but they also have a fancy new Christmas candle that my friend Sam says smells delicious.
Otter Candle Company – A candle brand recommend by you guys on Insta. They have a bunch of Christmas scents, including Mulled Wine!
Fire Nest Candles – My friend Laura recommended this Bedford-based candle brand. They have wooden wicks so they crackle, and smell wonderful. Also love that they have a Christmas Eve box!
Kidswear
Turtle Dove London – I recently bought these rainbow dungarees for Indi and I love them!! They launch new styles all the time and I’m just always in love with their sustainable, organic kids clothes.
What Ted Wore – A very cute kidswear brand with their iconic Milk Teef sweatshirt. Also love their Tiny Heartbreak Crew range.
Deer and Dandelion – Handmade rompers, onesies and dungarees (from Newborn size) in lots of different fabrics. I like this polka dot print as well as this Christmassy tartan.
Claude & Co – Their Milking It bodysuit is kinda iconic, but they also have so many great quality unisex clothes, in neutral colours, some with matching adult versions.
Cub and Pudding – A lovely little kidswear brand in beautiful colours and prints (age 0-11yrs). Seriously so many of these outfits are on my wish list to buy Indi for Christmas. Loving this tee and these dungas.
West Stanton – Ok, this one isn’t just kidswear and actually they do LOADS of stuff, from homeware to gifts. But I love their “Tiny Human” baby clothes, and how cute is this little house bag for kids??
Toys
Happy Little Folks – Alright, these Scandi-esque toys are kind overpriced but there a few that are just so cute and totally worth the price tag. These balancing stones are v cute.
One Hundred Toys – Love that you can shop toys by age range so you can get some great ideas for Christmas. If your kid loves cars, there are some really lovely ones here.
The Bebe Hive – Your one-stop-shop for all of the “cool mum” toy brands, like Little Dutch and Kids Concept. Their kids musical instruments are super cute!
Little Jagger – More wooden toys, really Kara? Yes. But also, a great little selection of Kids room bits, like lovely bedding that doesn’t have Paw Patrol on it.
Gifting
Two Mums Gifts – You may remember me posting on insta about this local brand run by, you guessed it, Two Mums! They do lovely little gift boxes you can send to new mums or anyone you think would like a pick-me-up. Very covid-friendly, huh?
Cotton Clara – I LOVE this brand. They do DIY embroidery kits, which is such a perfect gift for your crafty friend. I’m currently working on this 2020 one but also loving this festive kit.
Betty Writes – A lovely little Calligraphy-based brand recommended by you guys on Insta. Love the Christmas cards!
Able & The Label – Self-proclaimed “Makers of happy things”, this is the place to go for fun art prints, affirmation cards and colourful notebooks.
Ok that’s probably enough to be getting on with!! I’ll share more links on my Insta in the run up to Christmas, but I think there are some lovely small businesses in this list you can go check out.
Let’s all support our favourite brands this Christmas and keep them going. I don’t know about you but Amazon has certainly taken enough of my money this year. I’m determined to shop small as much as I possibly can.
Are there any small businesses you would recommend that aren’t on this list? Let me know!
Head on over to my Instagram for regular updates on the small businesses I love, and lockdown life in general!
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