Buy handmade, pre-loved and local at Christmas
We all know how stressful Christmas shopping can be. So its tempting to head to Amazon or dump a few boxes of chocolates in your supermarket trolley right?
But you know what? You can have a much more enjoyable and rewarding Christmas by shopping local, handmade and pre-loved this year.
Forget those overcrowded city centre “German” markets where every other stall seems to sell plastic tat with made in China stamped on it. Instead, head to a smaller festive market or event like Made in Bristol or the Tetbury Goods Shed Christmas Fair. You'll find lots of stalls with unusual gifts, produce and décor to choose from- and usually some yummy cakes too! Visit local independent shops and galleries rather than the big high street stores. I'm privileged to supply many such retailers across the UK: check out my Shop page for links to theirs. Or if you prefer shopping from your sofa, choose an ethical platform that puts the makers' interests first.
Made in Bristol Gift Fair at the Bristol Beacon - photo by Jo Hounsome Photography
Here are 5 reasons why buying handmade, pre-loved and local at Christmas is so important.
1. Supporting small businesses
Christmas is a really big part of most small businesses' turnover. Last year 43% of my turnover for the whole year came from Christmas sales. Artisans and small businesses really rely on those sales to help us get through the lean months of Jan-April when everyone is skint. So if you are buying from local producers and artisans you are literally helping us keep food in our mouths and roofs over our heads.
Conversely, Amazon and the big retailers (both online and offline) DON'T need your money. Amazon's revenue this July-September was $143.1billion. Do you really want to add to that? Why not check out a platform such as Not on Amazon, Gifts Instead of Flowers or Bristol Creative Network for your online shopping instead?
Christmas events also bring in much-needed revenue for the hospitality sector – and goodness knows, they have suffered a lot since 2020. So when deciding where to hold your Christmas meal or drinks support your local pubs and restaurants rather than the big chains.
2. Developing the arts
Buying from local makers helps to support creative development. Those quiet months of Jan-April are a really useful time for artists and makers to engage in research and development of new work. So as well as putting food in our mouths, Christmas sales give us the opportunity to buy new materials and resources, or maybe undertake a training course to learn some new skills. Doesn't it feel good knowing you are helping to support new art and crafts to be made?
3. Finding original gifts and decor
Handmade products are usually created individually or in small batches. This gives them a high degree of originality not found in something you would buy in, for example Pandora or Fat Face. So a handmade gift can be more of a special surprise for a loved one, or an unusual decoration prompt admiration from your neighbours when you invite them over for mulled wine.
4. Making sustainable shopping decisions
Buying your Christmas food and drink from local suppliers reduces food miles and keeps your money in the local economy. Check out the local farm shops and markets in your area to order in now, and save yourself the hassle of dealing with a supermarket on 23 December. Many artisan producers also offer Christmas gift sets and hampers, such as Stroud Brewery's 3 Can Gift Box which always goes down well with the menfolk in my family.
5. Helping those in need
Christmas is also an important season for the charity and community sector. Check out the party dress rails in charity shops to pick up a snazzy bargain for the office do (and maybe buy some matching jewellery from me to really set off your outfit). Books make fabulous gifts and no one minds a pre-loved one these days. And events such as Teckel's Christmas Fair are really important fundraising activities for charities and community groups to support their ongoing work to build stronger communities.
So I hope this has inspired you to spend your money wisely this Christmas. And to have a more enjoyable shopping experience whilst discovering some fabulous new makers and producers at the same time