12 Days of Blogmas: Day 2 🛍️

On the second day of Christmas, GingerLeafLiving gave to me………………………………… Supporting small businesses!

We’re back for day 2! If you are just starting your gift shopping, or have a few more to go, small businesses are the way to go. Here’s why going small is good for you, people and community.

How many times in sustainability do we talk about systems, or huge corporations or big businesses? These macro-scale institutions have a huge social and environmental impact because the size they operate on is so vast and beyond our natural systems. We are left detached from natural resources, manufacturing processes, the people that make these products and how they make their way to us, and take cheap prices for granted. But supporting small is much more personal – when you pay for a product from a small business, that person gets the money. There’s no line of processes in the middle getting a cut, it’s a direct transaction. That person then spends money in their local area, on football sessions for their child, or eating in the local café, keeping the money within the community. This is a simplified explanation but the bottom line is this: where you spend your money is the type of world you support.

There is pretty much a small business for everything, and especially at Christmas, it makes the shopping much more fun. Finding something personalised you know someone in your life will love is such a wonderful feeling, and the essence of gift giving. You could find makers at craft or Christmas markets near you, or spend a day exploring independent shops in your area. Or use online websites and selling sites that host a range of creators and small businesses. You could find a unique piece of jewellery, a local handicraft, hand illustrated cards or a personalised gift for someone specific. The options really are endless, and even better, you are more likely to be supporting businesses that operate on a much less carbon intensive scale. You can pay money that goes towards a third private jet for a billionaire, or that goes towards a child’s dance lesson. That is the kind of choice we as consumers face.

So get checking your list twice, and see if you find find any gems from independent makers to fill any gift gaps you have. I’m sure your recipient will feel so happy that you picked something unique that remined you of them. Support small this Christmas! 🛍️