Thoughtful Giving: How to Shop with Intention This Holiday Season

December 10, 2024

What if holiday shopping wasn’t just about ticking names off your list but about celebrating and uplifting our community? A way to give beautiful and personal gifts that reflect not just what we buy but who we are—and who we want to support. For those of us who curate our lives with both impeccable taste and good intention, gift-giving is an extension of that thoughtfulness and aesthetic discernment.

This holiday season, let’s rethink our shopping habits. Instead of falling into the trap of fast convenience, let’s focus on purchases that will benefit the people and businesses we admire. It’s time to shop like the savvy, empowered women that we are.

1. Shop Locally and Keep it in the Neighborhood

Shopping locally isn’t just about finding unique gifts—it’s about investing in your neighborhood. When you choose a cute, local boutique over a big-box store, you’re helping a small business owner keep the lights on. You’re supporting the mom whose kids go to school with yours, the family striving to stay afloat, and the entrepreneurs working late nights to pursue their dreams.

As a small, female-owned business owner myself, I know how much effort goes into every sale. When you buy from a local bakery, independent bookstore, or that tiny plant shop down the street, you’re giving back to the people who make your community thrive. Even a gift card can become a standout gift if it’s for a beloved neighborhood spot.

2. Hunt for Treasures at Craft Fairs

If craft shows aren’t on your holiday radar yet, they should be. These events are packed with creative energy and one-of-a-kind treasures. Forget the boring carved wood bowls—craft fairs today are where you’ll find bold, quirky, and downright irresistible gifts you didn’t know you needed.

Picture hand-poured candles with cheeky labels like “Smells Like a Badass Woman,” bespoke jewelry that screams style, and cool, edgy home décor pieces you won’t see at any chain store. One year, I discovered a wonderful home-made CBD massage oil at a craft fair that was practical, chic, and perfect for my daughter’s sore muscles.

At a craft fair it’s also possible to identify and connect with business owners themselves. This makes it easy to support women and POC-owned businesses and makers with your purchases. That’s the real magic of these markets.

Chicago’s very own **One of a Kind** craft show is a great place to find gems like Ruchi Gupta’s gorgeous ceramics.

3. One-of-a-Kind Etsy Finds

Etsy is like an online treasure chest—combining the uniqueness of a craft fair with the convenience of shopping in your pajamas. And here’s the real beauty: Etsy is brimming with shops run by stay-at-home moms and parents juggling childcare while chasing their entrepreneurial dreams. You can be a women who supports women while also finding the perfect scores for the people in your life.

From custom candles with witty slogans to personalized pet attire, chic shopping totes, and even bedazzled coffee mugs, there’s something for everyone. Etsy is perfect for finding gifts that are equal parts personal and polished—ideal for the savvy, sophisticated gift-giver.

Just remember to order early. These aren’t mass-produced items, so give those hard-working sellers time to create and ship your perfect find.

**Etsy** is a real treasure trove of the wonderfully unique, the witty and the practical.

Wrapping It All Up

The holidays are about more than just giving. When you choose gifts that reflect your values, you’re not just celebrating the season—you’re lifting up the moms and makers in your community who hustling behind the scenes.

So this year, skip the soulless mega-stores and give gifts that contribute to the vibrancy of your local community and the people who give it life. Because when you shop thoughtfully, you’re not just wrapping a present—you’re wrapping up a little piece of yourself and the stories of the people who made it possible.

And that, my friends, is the true spirit of the season.