Small Business Holiday Shopping Guide
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The holiday shopping season can easily spiral into a crazed sprint to buy ALL THE THINGS if we aren’t intentional with our gift-giving (at least this is the case for me). Ever since the pandemic, I’ve made a concerted effort to support as many small businesses as possible during the holidays and beyond.
As a small business owner myself, I know just how meaningful it is to have the support of loyal customers and clients and how even just one purchase or word of mouth recomendation can truly make all the difference in the world.
Every year I update this guide to shine a spotlight on my favorite small businesses and brands that I love to shop during the holiday season. This list is a mix of Chicago brick-and-mortar stores (with online shops) and online boutiques from across the country (many of them are also personal friends).
CHECK OUT MY CHICAGO SMALL BIZ HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE VIDEO BELOW
CHICAGO SMALL BUSINESSES
ALICE & WONDER
My love affair with this female owned, Lincoln Park boutique goes wayyyy back and it’s easily my favorite place to shop in Chicago. This is the spot to find fun, feminine, & cheeky gifts that are for the most part under $100. Make sure to check out their Mad Hatter & Chicago collections which are made in house (great gifts for guys & little ones).
FOURSIDED
Hands down the most aesthetically pleasing gift shop I have ever stepped foot in. This store is literally overflowing with art, antiques, curated gifts and also specializes in custom framing. If you’re looking for a one stop shop to check everyone off your list, THIS IS THE PLACE. Foursided has 4 shops (2 gift & 2 custom framing) located across the north side of Chicago but you can also check them out online!
CHICAGO FRENCH PRESS
If you have a coffee lover in your life, trust me, you need to get them some CFP! This female, Black owned business sells freshly roasted coffee in the most unique and delicious flavors like Chocolate Blueberry and Maple Pecan. CFP offers coffee for different brewing methods and you can also check out their subscriptions (which I think would make an awesome gift! You can stop by their pop up at the Roosevelt Collection which will be open through 2020 (1021 S Delano Ct) or shop them online!
NOMAD Chicago
This female founded, globally inspired shop is one of my favorite places to one of a kind, handmade goodies from around the world. What makes NOMAD so unique is its commitment to selling fair trade items in small batches at prices that are fair to the artists that craft these pieces. You’ll find everything from natural beauty products to Chicago neighborhood scented candles (yup that’s a thing). Plus next to each of the items you’ll find a card that shares more about where the product is from and the person who made it. OOOO and NOMAD also has a cafe and meeting space so you can sip some coffee while you shop!
Lost Girls Vintage
Find me a more fun, colorful & totally bad ass store…I’ll wait…LOL. Lost Girls is hands down the #1 place I shop for vintage items in Chicago. Outside of their vintage goodies, you’ll also find jewelry & accessories crafted by local artists & a plus size vintage line, Luvsick, that carries sizes 14-26. The shop was founded by two bad a$$ women and at the beginning run out of a winnebago LOL. Now you can find them at one of their two locations in West Town & Logan Square or online at the link below!
RAYGUN
Raygun affectionately refers to itself as “The Greatest Store in the Universe” and I would have to agree. At this Andersonville shop you’ll find everything from graphic tees (that’s what they’re known for) to masks, socks, books, mugs, basically anything you can screen print on. But what I love so much about this store is that many of their items give back to charitable causes like education reform, equality, a clean environment, etc. This is the spot to shop for the socially conscious person in your life.
SMALL BUSINESSES TO SHOP ONLINE
A Gals Abroad Getaways Trip
I can’t think of a better gift to give than the gift of travel. If you or someone you love is looking to see the world with fellow like-minded women in 2023 and beyond give them the gift of a Gals Abroad Getaway (or offer to pay for a portion of their trip)
Every Christmas I ask my parents for one thing, money to put towards a future trip and this could be the year you do the same!
REVELLE
This jewelry line was created by my sweet friend Ali Stone & her mom (we love a mom daughter duo!). Their gorgeous, delicate necklaces make for the perfect heartfelt gift and pair perfectly with some of your favorite necklaces you have at home. Their jewelry is high quality & comes in a range of prices and styles which makes them SUPER giftable (and you won’t feel guilty when you snag a few for yourself too!) OOO & they’re doing a Black Friday Sale RN that you don’t want to miss!
In Emily’s Kitchen
You know what everyone needs?! A quality spice blend (or two, or 10)! My girl Emily has created her own line of signature spice blends that will save you so much time and stress in the kitchen. PLUS she has so many yummy recipes on her site that pair perfectly with each of her blends. AND she’s currently offering a limited edition holiday spice set featuring 3 blends you absolutely need for your festive feasts.
kk lume
TRAVEL SCENTED CANDLES?!?! YUP! I just discovered this female owned, Chicago biz that makes small batch, hand poured candles inspired by some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. I can’t wait to try their Notting Hill & Hallstatt candles (two of my absolute favorite places in Europe). These are the perfect gift for any travel lover in your life
MY PICKS!
Styled By Carson Love
With the new year right around the corner (thank God) I feel like now is always the time we think about cleaning out our closets or updating our lewks. A super fun gift idea (even for yourself) would be to book a virtual call with my best friend/stylist Carson Love. She offers a virtual closet detox, style consultations, personal shopping, etc. mixed with her infectious southern charm that instantly makes you feel like you’re best friends (I’m willing to share ;)
Type League Press
Nothing brings me more joy than receiving a fun and festive mug (especially if it says something funny on it). You have to check out this female owned, Chicago based biz on Etsy! She has so many mugs with funny sayings and can do custom orders if you’re looking to put your loved ones name or faces on the side LOL.
MY PICKS!
Julia Clancey
By far one of my favorite designers - Julia Clancey is a color-loving, caftan-creating, turban-wearing queen! The PERFECT gift this year would be to give any color lover in your life one of her EPIC designs. Seriously they’re head turners and I have both of this fringy frou frous pictured on the right.
PS - she makes the most epic sleep masks and turbans.
Lula Flora
If you’re looking to spice up your gift wrapping this year or your home decor, you’ve gotta check out this female owned, mini piñata company (it’s totally a thing)! They make the cutest pinatas for all sorts of occasions and I love to add them to gifts I wrap as a fun little treat! Their llamas are my personal fav.
MY PICKS!
Bouffants & Broken Hearts
I discovered this EPIC Black, female artist the summer of 2020 and quickly ran to her Society6 page to buy 6 of her prints to decorate my office with. To say I’m in love is an understatement. Her sassy, colorful prints are reasonably priced and would make for a great gift for the color lover in your life!
MY PICKS!
Somewhere in between coaching
I believe firmly in the power and wisdom of a good coach and if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s the abilities of my amazing friend and career coach Neha. If you or a loved one is struggling in their career, looking for purpose or thinking about making a career change, I think that gifting some sessions with SIB coaching would be the ultimate gift.
Give the gift of travel
If there’s someone in your life {maybe you} who is itching to plan their next trip, but overwhelmed by the task, let me suggest purchasing a gift certificate to my mom’s travel agency, Scorby Travel & Cruise.
You can totally customize the amount and can be put towards any adventure in the future! Email scorbytravel@gmail.com to purchase your gift certificate!
Click here to read about why I think hiring a travel advisor to plan your next adventure is essential.
I hope this guide was helpful, and if you have any small businesses that you’d like to shoutout, please drop them in the comments below!
XX ALLECAT
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