This Christmas, you can support small businesses and bring a touch of originality into your Christmas shopping. If you’re looking for stocking fillers then Etsy and small businesses are the way forward.

You can find something completely unique and, well, made with love.

Piling through shops picking up the next mass-produced product isn’t always the way forward, don’t get me wrong, I love a good Argos shop as much as the next person and I see new products being released that I know I need to have but that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate a bit of Etsy shopping into your Christmas hauls.

There are so many reasons to shop small businesses, but in case you need a little bit of convincing first – here are 3 reasons to shop small businesses:

1. Unique Gifts

There is near enough zero chance that somebody else will have bought the same gift.

2. Personalised Customer Service

I guarantee you the person you buy from will go above and beyond to make sure that the gift you have bought is carefully produced, beautifully packaged and I’m sure they will know you by name! It really does mean a lot to small businesses when you shop from them.

3. Less Impact on the Environment

They’re not shipping from halfway across the world. They’re locally produced products by local people. Supporting the environment and the community – all in one!

To save you piling your way around the internet trying to find that perfect gift for Christmas 2018, I have compiled a list of some of my favourite bits from small businesses. Ones that I think would be a perfect little stocking filler.

*Please Note*
None of these companies have paid for a promotion.
This is not an advertisement neither are these affiliate links. I have purely found these comapanies online and might not necessarily own the products or have seen them in real life unless stated!

CoconuTacha

Trust me, once you find out about CoconuTacha, you’ll want to add everything to your basket. Natacha creates her products from her bedroom at her parents’ house in Wales after studying Graphic Communication. Combined with her favourite fruit and her name, CoconuTacha was formed and let me tell you, it’s a real treat.

From Stickers to Pins to Cards to Wrapping Paper. If it is stationery – I bet Natacha stocks it and let’s face it – who doesn’t love new stationery?

I have recently purchased the Happiest Place on Earth Wrapping Paper and I’m also in the process of stocking up on the planner stickers. She also stocks “Happiest Place on Earth” prints, which I need!

The products are beautiful and will make a Disney fan feel like melting this Christmas.

CoconuTacha also stocks wedding bits and bobs, the invites are absolutely gorgeous, so if you’re in the process of planning a wedding – I’d recommend taking a look.

Shop here: CoconuTacha

Naturally Untamed

Naturally Untamed is a London based small business that creates herbal, natural cosmetic products using a range of raw materials. But, don’t worry, all of the products are cruelty-free and have been assessed by Cosmetic Safety Consultants LTD.

I managed to get my hands on the peppermint lip balm and it’s fantastic. It is an invigorating and nourishing lip balm. Thanks to the Calendula infused oil, it subtly adds nourishment to the skin whilst the peppermint compliments with a gentle soothing and cooling sensation. The lip balm contains beeswax to provide extra moisture and create a protective seal for long-lasting moisture.

When you first get it, make sure you dig down deep and rub well to get the full and creamy effect – this is due to the beeswax!

What’s great about Naturally Untamed is that they contribute to a safer and cleaner environment by using minimal, eco-friendly packaging. As all of their products are natural, there are no product surprises or damaging additives!

Little Hungarian Heart

Christina was born in Canada to Hungarian parents, growing up speaking a combination of English and Hungarian. What I love so much about this shop is the mix of languages. I wonder if there’s a “Spanglish” equivalent?

Christina learnt her skills of embroidery from her mother and grandmother who shared their knowledge about Hungarian food, traditions and embroidery.

If that isn’t enough, all of the products featured are purchased from underprivileged areas of Hungary and Romania which helps preserve the traditions of the slowly deteriorating trade.

I managed to get my hands on a beautiful handmade stocking embroidered in the Hungarian Matyo style. It’s a gorgeous addition to a Christmas Tree and I just know it’s going to be put up – year in, year out.

It makes a great Christmas ornament and a perfect stocking filler. You can also add a little treat inside.

A few years ago, Alex and I travelled to Budapest in Hungary, so it’s a lovely little edition of travel to our Christmas tree. I love being able to incorporate travel into our home decor and celebrations.

Little Hungarian Heart stock a wide range of beautiful pieces, from roosters to hearts and even embroidered napkins.

For the dog lovers amongst us, the puppy ornament is a big favourite of mine!

Shop here: Little Hungarian Heart

Maple and Whisky

If the scent of Disney sounds like something perfect for a member of your family, then get yourself over to the Maple and Whisky Etsy shop.

Calling themselves Disney nerds and Florida lovers, they sound like my kind of people.

Maple and Whisky produce stunning scents that capture the essence of those Floridian memories. The nostalgia is real.

I mean, getting over any holiday is hard, but getting over a Disney holiday is heart-breaking. Bring the scents of Disney into your home and transform your home into the Happiest Place on Earth.

All of their candles are handmade, with a choice of cotton wick or woodwick. Everything from candles to packaging has been created and designed by them – so you really are supporting true craftsmanship.

I opted for the 8oz Woodwick Main Street Bakery, I can’t wait to light it up and fill our home with my favourite Disney’s smells.

Shop here: Maple and Whisky

Tiger Bloom

Want to give the gift of a personalised cushion? It’s like the gift of a cuddle.

Tiger Bloom creates beautiful embroidery cushions personalised by you, for you, or your family. Made with love, they’re stitched together with smooth, cotton fabric. You decide how the cushion looks, picking the colour of the fabric and the two main colours of the embroidery. It really is a one of a kind gift.

The letter cushions would look great in a nursery, a bedroom, a study or a living room.

I love my Tiger Bloom cushion, it’s a perfect size for popping in your hand luggage for travelling in comfort and looks stunning amongst the Christmas cushions. It’s high quality and the time really has been put in – I love it!

Shop here: Tiger Bloom

Scouting Woodworker

Keeping on the Disney theme here, Scouting Woodworker is the Etsy shop behind my stunning Disney castle bookmark. If there’s a reader in your family, they’ll definitely appreciate the intricate design and sustainable bookmarks.

At just £6.00, they create stunning Disney and Harry Potter bookmarks. Made from 3mm poplar plywood and laser cut into shape, they are perfect for replacing those flimsy, card bookmarks or, dare I say it?, folding the page!

They also sell personalised trophies, Christmas boxes, cheese boards and medal holders which would all make fabulous Christmas presents!

Shop here: Scouting Woodworker

Pastel Elixir

 

Lily in Space

We all love cute animals, don’t we? Lily is based in Cambridge and stocks fabulous pieces, who else loves the “For Fox Sake” badge? Because I absolutely love it. If I collected pins, that aren’t Disney trading pins, I’d for sure be making a purchase.

I really adore her Small and Mighty 2019 Calendar too, if you haven’t picked up a 2019 calendar yet, it’s worth checking out. Her notebooks look wonderful too. Let’s face it, if there’s a blogger in your life, they’ll certainly always want a notebook!

Shop here: Lily in Space

Hatchling Makes

Moving away from badgers and foxes and into penguins and elephants (my favourites!), Hatchling Makes create awesome geometric pieces that look simplistic yet futuristic and modern. I guarantee you will look at these designs and love them.

They stock gift tags, journal stickers, cards and pin badges all carefully crafted with geometric shapes.

The Dinosaur Embroidery is absolutely incredible too.

Tash, the owner and doer behind Hatchling Makes refers to herself as a dinosaur lover and a colour enthusiast and it definitely shines through with her work. I need to pick up a dinosaur piece of my own!

I also thought it was worth mentioning that Hatchling Makes doesn’t use any single-use plastic. When you buy online, all paper goods come in paper bags. All packaging is recyclable and the paper goods are made from sustainably sourced, FSC approved paper to ensure no rainforests are harmed. Materials are also sourced locally to reduce carbon footprint. But, my absolute favourite bit about Hatching Makes is that 10% of every sale goes to WWF.

Support a local business and help to conserve the planet. All in one. Doesn’t it feel good to do good?

Shop here: Hatchling Makes

Project Plan

If you’re into scrapbooking and journalling like I am, then Project Plan will be your cup of tea.

The Back to School rush may have gone, but who doesn’t love stickers all year round? If there’s a blogger in your life, they’ll seriously love the Blogger Weekly Planner Sticker Kit. Just seeing a beautifully decorated page gives me all the motivation I need to get down to business and get these blog posts up.

I am loving the Christmas sticker planners, it would be perfect for Blogmas!

Shop here: Project Plan

The Treasured UK

If unique gifts are what you’re after then you’ll find it on The Treasured UK. A cactus pen? Who doesn’t need one of those in their lives? Funny greetings cards, we all love one of those! What about a “Things I really need to do before I have a Gin and Tonic” To-Do list? YES YES YES.

Harry Potter fans will also love the prints and the notebook!

P.S who is going to get me that Christmas Card this year?

Shop here: The Treasured UK

Selfie Clothing

Here is one for the little ones in your lives.

Selfie Clothing have created a range of childrenswear that spans from colour-in T-Shirts and capes to personalised clothing. All designed with kids in mind that love a bit of art and crafts. I can’t help but think I’d have loved these as a kid.

Each colour-in product comes complete with fabric colouring pens and a practice colouring sheet. They’re marketed at kids from 2-10 years.

How cute would it be to have a festive craft Christmas eve, colouring in the pyjamas before cosying up to watch a Christmas movie?

Shop here: Selfie Clothing Crafts

Angela Chick

Angela Chick, an illustrator based in Southsea, studied craft and design in Canada before returning to the UK and completing a First Class BA Hons in Printed Textiles. Now, she has her own range of greetings cards and gifts that are sure to bring a smile to your loved one’s faces.

I love the pop of colour on Angela Chick’s designs. They really are a feel-good factor style. They’re bold, bright and full of fun. Her greetings cards are fantastic and sure to brighten the day of the receiver.

My favourite piece is the Three Good Things Gratitude Journal and Achievement Badge. After having a hard time herself, she created the 3 good things journal to record at the end of each day. Three things, every day, no matter how big or how small. Just good. What happens at the end? There is a little badge included at the back to celebrate your achievement!

Shop here: Angela Chick

MYTHYN

Mythyn is a small business that creates bath and beauty products that are cruelty-free, handmade in the UK using only natural ingredients. Mathilde built Mythyn after noticing how many products contained ingredients that she didn’t understand. Many of the products that we use daily lower our natural skin barrier and therefore expose us to toxins.

MYTHYN products are designed to nurture the skin. She stocks a variety of soaps, bath products and cosmetics that are mindful, nourishing and high-quality.

Shop here: MYTHYN

Plushy Occasions

Who doesn’t need a Kinder Chocolate bouquet in their life, because I know I do!

Well, if Kinder isn’t your scene, how about Terry’s Chocolate Orange? Or Lindt? What about a Terry’s Chocolate Orange and a Yankee Candle?

Trust me, you’ll never want to buy flowers again! Plushy Occasions are perfect for any occasion. I think I know where my next Etsy order will be made…

Shop here: Plushy Occasions

Extra Strong Prints

Bold is good and Extra Strong Prints have definitely nailed the boldness. We all know that I’m a sucker for languages. Well, they stock two cards that are perfect for me. One is the Happy Birthday and one is a Thank You card. I’m just hoping they’ll release a Christmas version!

They also do a Morse Code card too, which is really original and unique.

Shop here: Extra Strong Prints

Geeky Melts

Hand-poured in Exmouth, Geeky Melts produce a selection of wax melts and let me tell you – they’re fabulous. I know my mum has a wax burner somewhere so I’m going to have to try these out!

They have an awesome Darth Vader set, wow who am I?, I mean, awesome as in they’d be a great stocking filler for Alex. They also have a Millennium Falcon wax melt, which I’m scared to admit I actually knew what it was.

Their Halloween Wax Melts were fabulous, the Day of the Dead skulls were beautiful. Fingers crossed that they release a range for Christmas!

The best thing about these wax melts is you get to choose your own scent. That just means trying them all out, right?

Shop here: Geeky Melts

Isle of Design

Last, but certainly not least, are the beautiful designs from Isle of Design. Victoria resides in Durham with her family and creates stunning, delicate designs that can brighten up your loved one’s homes.

Whether you need a perfect personalised print, a bespoke human or pet portrait, a delicate card or even a custom logo, Victoria has you covered.

I love the idea of a pet portrait and hope to get one done of Rio real soon. After all, he deserves a quality Christmas gift too!

Shop here: isle of design

Feliz Navidad,