I know how hard it is for small businesses to compete with big box stores during the holiday season, and so I asked my community on Instagram to submit their small businesses for me to share. I hope you check them out and consider shopping small this season!
Few disclaimers: I have not purchased or tried most of these products. This is NOT sponsored. I’ve copy and pasted their responses/websites/images as is, the descriptions below are not my own words. I’ve entered them in the order they were submitted.
FINERLY DECOR: Finerly Decor brings your beautiful, quality home decor at a fair price. We are especially known for our Holiday items!
Vintage by Huckleberry: A curated collection of vintage goods for the home–20% off 11/18-11/30, no code needed.
Gift Nabü: Nabü is a platform that lets friends and family gift activities and experiences collaboratively to children. A zoo membership for a toddler, concert ticket for a preteen, or flying classes for an aspiring pilot who’s turning 18 – Gifting memories not stuff.
jennykate on Spoonflower: Hand illustrated Fabric, Wallpaper, and Home Decor, a passion project by a lifestyle book designer! 20% off site wide 20ATORCFALL2022
Till Next Recharge: I get to help others feel balanced with usda organic hemp cbd! I also get to walk alongside them with education, and the curation of their own products, and dosing! I believe once we heal from the inside out, we help ourselves and can then help others. A gift guide! Exclusive flavors and a luxurious body oil. Plus $10 off code for 1st time customers that can be stacked with a 20% off discount too!
Wayfaring Prints: Travel essentials and eclectic gifts for wanderers.
Canary Gold Creative Studio: Personalized gifts for grandparents.
Prairie and Lake: I sell t shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies in 2 small towns. 1 is 2200 people and the other is 20 people. I opened an Etsy store in March to help me branch out. Still working on my personal website to sell on. Holiday sale on Etsy and free shipping.
Caren-Marie Michel: Original Maine paintings. ETSY SHOP 20% off 11/18-12/1/22.
The Bar at Bites Food Court + Bar: We’re a family owned business in Langley Park Maryland and we operate a food hall with a Charleys Philly Steaks, a smoothie/boba shop called SmoothieFRESH Bubble Tea, and a “family friendly” bar (yes this is a thing I promise!). Which means we have free arcade games for kids, a super cool lighted dance floor, and free karaoke. We’re also staffed with a bilingual Spanish and English speaking team and everything we serve is tried and loved by the entire staff before it’s added to our bar menu. We opened right after COVID and we exist to try to create something awesome in Langley Park to revitalize the shopping center and show the people of Prince George’s County that something awesome and fun for parents AND kids can coexist in one space. Also – I’m a former teacher and education researcher so I’m passionate about using businesses to support students and teachers however I can. We have high hopes for the continued investment in the area and pair with schools to offer students discounts and free ice cream if they bring in good grades. Students (or kids with their parents along with them) can bring a report card or an assignment they’re proud of, and can get a free scoop of Hersheys Ice Cream from SmoothieFRESH Bubble Tea now through forever. Teachers and administrators can get 10% off everything at Charleys or SmoothieFRESH Bubble Tea, also forever.
Wit & Glory: Wit & Glory launched in 2021 as your destination for all things trendy, a little sassy, always comfy. Kristin is an entrepreneur & mama whose main goal is to get you into some clothes that make you feel good! Every item is hand picked & curated by Kristin, packed & shipped from Portland, OR. When in doubt, remember these two things: 1. Life Is Short – Wear The Dang Hat 2. Bad Vibes Don’t Go With Your Outfit. New arrivals every Saturday @9am from Nov.19-Christmas. Weekly flash sales in stories now thru Christmas. Small biz Saturday deals – tiered discounts!
Lana’s Shop: Little online boutique filled with sunshine that wants to share some of those hopeful rays with you. Lana’s Shop is helmed by Lana Effron whose an artist, mama and nature lover. At Lana’s Shop you’ll find charming hand-illustrated paper goods ranging from stationery to wallpaper. You can choose dogs or cats sporting festive holiday attire, cute otters and elegant wreaths for wrapping paper, or—new this year—a calendar. Effron’s products are bright and cheery with the hope of helping you spread some kindness one design at a time. 20% off November 21-Nov 26 – use code: MERRY20
Films of Life: We create films set to music using all those precious video clips in your camera roll that are usually forgotten about and die in the cloud (aka outer space). Vacations are the most popular films we make, but we do it all- baby’s first year, a year in your life, anniversary films, baby showers, weddings, and yes- memorial films when a loved one passes.
Jennifer Lorton Art: Earth pigment abstracts & botanical studies. Art infused with organic elements for a life more beautifully lived.
Paper for the People: Hand cut, handmade paper art- portraits, ornaments, and custom pieces. Inspired by those who stand firm on their power and moments of celebration. I’ve included an example of a custom portrait below! I’m working on a newsletter sign up discount and hope to offer at least one discount this season.
Lincoln and Co Designs: I make felt toys and kid friendly seasonal decor! 10% off from now until the end of the year https://www.etsy.com/shop/lincolnandcodesigns?coupon=CHRISTMAS10
Merit Media: Web design & social media consulting. $50 off any media package over $750
Lisa Ortale Design: I create logos and graphics for small businesses. One hour free with mention of “Pretty on Fridays”
Travels by Elyse: I offer personalized vacation planning services giving my clients vacations that are actually vacations. No stress, no hours of research. I research, review, book, build itineraries and for some clients even pick the location! The surprise vacation is my specialty. You pick the travel dates and budget and I do everything else! You find out where you’re going about a week before you leave. None of the hassle, all of the fun!
Soul Travel Prints and Design: I recently retired from shooting weddings here in Hawaii after 30 years of professional photography. While documenting love stories was my main focus, I’ve now had the time to curate over 20 years of travel photography, art and design inspired pieces. Prints are available ready to hang (matted and framed) or you may purchase only the print. Designer collaborations are always welcome! This time has also allowed me to support other small businesses and nonprofits here in Hawaii. Most recently- @alohaanimalsanctuary (in highlights) and @projecthawaii which supports our homeless children on 3 of our Hawaii Islands.❤️
Devinely Curated: Curated vintage and antique finds for a lived in home. Nationwide shipping + local pick up available. 15% off for Pretty on Fridays newsletter subscribers
Berwyn St Candles: Clean, non toxic, handcrafted soy candles. We are wowan/mother owned. We create unique scents in recycled and reusable vessels. Good for the planet and you! 15% off CODE:DEEMA
PHNX: We make athletic clothes (esp shorts) for women. We’ll do a sale for small business Saturday!
Doula Kait: I am a full-spectrum doula in the GTA ready to support you through pregnancy, labour/birth, and post partum!
Scout Studio & Co.: I design and create Personalized Stationery, Personalized Gift Tags, Choose Kindness Trucker Hats & Mugs. Free shipping on all Personalized Gift Tags.
Kindred Spirits Market: We are a mother daughter duo making handmade polymer clay earrings.
Little Shqipe: Modern shirts for kids with Balkan roots. Code: 20FORYOU FOR 20% off
Playroom Learning: Greek learning supplies 15%off
Cottage Harbor Homes: I hand paint and personalize reusable tote bags, beach bags, throw pillow covers, tea towels and shirts! Currently the whole shop is 10% off.
Brooke Voeller Photography: Candid wedding and elopement photography business based in Detroit, MI (happy to travel!) Focusing on capturing true personality and connection and turning it into art.
Thrifted on Salem: Bringing new life to old items into your home. Latina owned.
County Line Boutique: County Lines Boutique wants to offer something for EVERYONE! We strive to offer clothes for every shape and size! Just gave away a Stanley Cup and a $50 gift certificate and started local free delivery.
Calder Creative: Original hand carved block prints inspired by life on land, sky, and sea.
The Love Gnome: I handmake one of a kind gnomes. I like to make them out of my childrens upcycled sweaters. I also love to make sentimental gnomes out of clothing of loved ones who have passed on. Small woodland creatures are my favorite and sewing them brings me great joy. I do a holiday sale to drive traffic. This year I will be donating all proceeds to a charity – most likely one supporting underprivileged women, charity yet to be determined.
DVG Creative: Original Landscape art.
Pretty Paper and Company: I create thoughtful, original art + refined paper goods and have curated a collection of vintage + found goods full of unique and charming pieces.
@anniesnaxart: Digital artist located in Philadelphia, PA. While I myself live in a house with all white walls and wear mostly black, I’m inspired by bright colors and pop culture.
Wildfire Ink: Detailed and soulful graphite pet portraits.
Aya Collaborative: We are a female run small business specializing in high quality, small batch collections of hand made, ready-to-ship pillow covers. We design each pillow, handpick the fabrics, quality control the textiles, import, and sell the final product online in the US. Each item in our collection is hand sewn, hand embroidered, and we have many hand block printed options too. We source our unique textiles straight from the local artisans of Pakistan. There’s a 20 % sale going on my Etsy shop for the holidays.
Alex’s Garden Studio: Botanical watercolor prints, custom paintings, ornaments, and watercolor classes. Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales.
Nourish Within Wellness: I’m a certified holistic autoimmune coach and self-care strategist. If you specialize helping busy moms with chronic inflammatory conditions take control of their healing through personalized nutrition, soothing self-care, & mindful mindset makeovers. Ready to find relief from fatigue, tension/body aches, joint pain, skin irritation, GI issues, overwhelm/irritability, & anxiety? My coaching helps you create a plan for sustainable, nourishing eating habits, prioritize rest & relaxation, discover enjoyable movement, and reduce toxins & inflammation.
Yankee Peach Co.: Custom pom pom garlands and felt necklaces for all sorts of celebrations!
Richmond Mercantilr: Online fine-goods gift shop, specializing in heirloom quality home decor, luxurious self care items, and beautiful children’s toys. Free shipping over $150!
Elloknits: I design and sell knitting patterns. 10% off with code DEEMA
Peaceful Sleeper Ellen: I help families get good sleep! I’m a pediatric sleep consultant focusing on ages 0-5. My goal is to help parents reclaim their sanity by getting their children to sleep again. I love helping moms along their journey to the other side of sleep deprivation! Fill out the form on my website for a discount code and a free ten minute consult.
Vale Mercantilr: We are a brand new shop! A portion of our shop each season will have goods made by local women, and other goods made by women rescued from sex trafficking and abuse. General store. A curated collection of vintage wares, local goods, and modern provisions. 10% off for following us on Instagram (code Insta) @thevalemercantile.
Oil and Acrylic: Art and creative goods.
Gather Mercantile: Small local business housing several other local businesses to sell their products and handmade items in a boutique setting. Black Friday, 20% off!
Create Creative Mindset: I create one of kind pieces of jewelry using my original artwork. I paint a painting using alcohol ink, scan it so I can do prints or greeting cards in the future, and then strategically cut up the painting to turn into unique pieces of wearable art! Code for 30% purchase on website: SupportSmall30.
Jennifer Allevato Fine Art: Expressive, colorful artwork to inspire thoughtful moments and awaken your walls. Black Friday weekend deals for my mailing list subscribers!
Lacee Alexandra Jewelry: Hand-sculpted, organic fine jewelry inspired by our natural world. Each piece is lovingly crafted using recycled metals and responsibly sourced stones in Long Beach, California. 25% off November 17-20
Angie Found A Canvas: Landscape artist ; Lifelong educator ; Interior Curator; Purveyor of creating loveliness in the world.
Charley Charles: Luxurious cotton gauze products, handmade, for your home and family. Promo code: INSTA10
Otzi Adventure Gear: We’re a family owned business that develops gear for overlanding and vanlife. Our flagship product is a grill/fire pit that packs flat so it’s easy to travel with, and our grill plate has 4 different height adjustments for perfect temperature cooking. We have 3 different sizes: Spark, Ember, and Flame. We also manufacture a spare tire storage system called the ModRack for overlanding and a modular van lifestyle and bed system for Sprinter van conversions. Pretty on Fridays followers can use code PRETTY10 to get 10% off grills and grill accessories until the end of the year.
5ever Creations: Handcrafted laser holiday decor and keepsakes. My hope is that my items can bring joyful memories to your home. 10% off with Code Pretty on Fridays
Great Honour Goods: Hi—I’m Miquela! I design and create botanical portraits with items I find in nature. I like to find the extraordinary in the ordinary—with leaves turning into earrings, twigs turning into eyebrows and sweet rose petals becoming lips. Nothing is secured or permanent in my work, just the fine balance of nature. I take a final photograph of the portrait and then it’s all returned back to the earth. I sell my portraits as both Art Prints + Greeting cards (soon to be more!) I am doing a Last Chance SALE with all of my current Art Prints and Greeting cards (to make way for new products). All prints are BUY 1, GET 1 and Greetings Cards are BUY 5, GET 5 , perfect for holiday gifting!
