Shop Small Gift Guide 2018

Good golly, how in the world is November almost over?!  I still have things about the Bent Arrow Challenge I want to write about!  Ugh!  Oh well, since time has decided that it will continue on whether I'm behind or not, I guess I need to just roll with it.

As you know, I'm super passionate about local and small businesses.  I truly believe that we as Christians have a responsibility to shop small and local whenever we can.  By buying from "the little guy" we help someone live out what their God-given passions are and we get to build community.  When the small shop owner isn't worried about how in the world she's going to feed her family, she's going to be a lot more open to joining you Sunday morning instead of putting in extra hours just to make ends meet.

That being said, for Small Business Saturday, I wanted to share some of my favorite small and local shops.

Stitch & Timber

Stitch & Timber is owned by my college BF, Malia.  When I asked her to share about her business she said, "I have always loved cross stitching and wanted to share my work...I decided to see if any would sell.  Low and behold they do, slowly but surely!"  Malia creates modern finished cross stitch and paper goods for today's home.  I have several of her pieces, including a custom made "Green is the New Black" reusable produce bag (check my IG to see it).

You can find Malia's work on Instagram here and her shop on Etsy here.  Use code FULLSIMP10 at checkout for 10% off orders of $15 or more!

The Mustard Seed Marketplace

This is a relatively new shop to me, but I fell in love with it immediately!  The Mustard Seed Marketplace partners with over 30 artisan groups in 18 countries to create a marketplace for artisans locally + globally!  They carry a curated collection of Fair Trade + Locally Made + Give Back Brands.  And they have something for just about everyone on your list stocking items like jewelry, apparel, home décor, accessories and more!

My kind of shop!  And it is located in northern Indiana!

You can shop The Mustard Seed Marketplace here and follow them over on Instagram here.  You can use the code SHOPSMALL for 10% through 12/31!

I asked for the black Slub Tee for Christmas...so fingers crossed it shows up under the tree!

Freckled Hen Farmhouse

Y'all know I love Freckled Hen Farmhouse!  I cannot get enough of their cute, yet practical farmhouse décor!  Natalie is also awesome to follow over on Instagram.

You can find the Freckled Hen Farmhouse over on Instagram here or on their website here.

Chalk Full of Design

Another small business that I love is Chalk Full of Design.  Last year I got the kids chalkboards from here as their "something to read" gift instead of books and they love them.  We also have the games pack that we keep in the van to pull out any time we are going somewhere with a long wait time instead of always shoving tablets or phones in front of them (which we do still do occasionally).  This year I got Kate her own personalized board so that she could have one like her big brother and sister.

If you need a laugh, follow Lindsay on Instagram here and watch her stories.  I love her!  You can shop her site here and she's currently running a sale of 15% off with code CFDHOLIDAY2018 until Monday!

Aleks Handmade

The last shop I'm going to share with you is another Indiana shop.  Aleks Handmade makes handmade dolls...even custom orders!  We have three dolls from Aleks and I cannot say enough about the quality.  They are soft and no little plastic pieces to worry about coming off.  Plus, they give back in a BIG way!  With their Dolls for Smiles program, they donate one doll for every doll purchased to the orphanage they are working with that quarter.  You have to go see the video of these children playing with dolls that look like them!  It is amazing.

You can shop Aleks Handmade here and follow them on Instagram here.

In full disclosure, I shopped Amazon too this year.  I get it.  But if everyone took the time and money to buy one or two gifts this season from a small or local business, think about what that could do for our communities!  Spending a little more for a gift that is handmade and/or fairly made is even better.  Make 2018 the year you buy less but better gifts for under your tree.

Merry Christmas!