I am challenging myself to put my money where my mouth is this holiday season by shopping primarily small, local and handmade. As a mom of two little ones, I am feeling the pressure to lead by example and to surround them with thoughtfully, consciously made items. My son has begun asking me where everything comes from…the food, our clothes, his toys, and the times where I have been stuck on an answer have really got me thinking. I want to be able to tell him exactly where and how these things landed in our home wherever possible so I’m making a point to shop carefully this year.
The temptation brought by Black Friday sales are making it way harder to keep the blinders on, but as a small business owner I know firsthand how hard it is to compete with these blowout prices. I’m staying away from the ‘buy more, save more’ mentality – this week in particular – by researching local options, handmade goods and talented small businesses. I have about half of my shopping planned out so far, and I’m sharing my must-sees to help you shop along with me.
1 // One of the only ways I can get my son to sit still long enough to enjoy a warm-ish coffee is a bucket of Playdough, and I have been looking for a local option. I was so happy to see that Little Larch will be at Market Collective in December so I can grab a few colours for the kids!
2 // Toddler life seems to consist primarily of eating snacks and building towers…please say this is the truth in other houses too. My son is only three and I am already tired – and stressed out – about how much plastic exists in the world of building toys. Lego obviousy has it’s place, but I am anxious for the restock of these gorgeous handmade blocks by Trae Designs out of Squamish, BC so he has something new to try.
3 // It was love at first lather with this shampoo and conditioner duo by Unwrapped Life, and there is no way I’m going back to the salon product I have been using. My shower caddy thanks me for lightening it’s load of plastic bottles, tubes and tubs, and I am hoping my family is just as excited as I am because they are all getting this stuff, kids included. Bonus, there are located right here in Calgary, Alberta!
4 // I have some very bad sleepers in my family, and I am not talking about the baby. I have heard nothing but rave reviews about this magnesium oil from Vancouver brand Ativo Skincare, so it will be in about 50% of the stockings I am stuffing this year.
5 // I’ve been obsessively working on building our family tree for a couple years now, and I finally have enough research done to compile it into something concrete. I have been looking for a modern way to share and pass along our family’s story, and I love that these prints by Oak Tree Printables can be customized by size and colour to suit each family member’s home.
6 // Clean burning and locally made, I love these scents by Matchstick Wax. I have been hesitant to burn my stash of candles at home with the kids around without knowing all the ingredients, so I’m looking forward to give one of these to myself this year!
I would love to hear about where and how you are shopping local this year, and if you have any suggestions to share, I’m all ears! Looking for something else? I’ve started a Pinterest board of all my favourites…Find it here!
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