The Best Small UK Businesses To Buy From This Christmas

Are you looking for ways to do your part this festive season? I have compiled a list of the best small UK businesses to buy from this Christmas, these are some of the businesses that I personally buy from, know and/or used over the last couple of years. As everyone knows, this year has been an unusual year and everyone has been hit in their purse strings so it’s important for all of us to do our part in supporting the small UK businesses especially now.

When it comes to buying Christmas presents, even my family and friends know I definitely suck in that department but it has not stopped me in the past. This year I want to start shopping a bit early and supporting small businesses at the same time this is why I compiled this list of the best small UK businesses to buy from this Christmas. And you don’t need to stop there, you can buy from these businesses all year round.

The Best Small UK Businesses To Buy From This Christmas

We have all heard and experienced the closure of one or more of our favourite local and/or high street shops and the communities have felt the devastating blow. As someone who has family members and friends who own small businesses, I have seen first had the effect the pandemic has had on small businesses especially those with handmade items. I hope this list of the best small UK businesses to buy from this Christmas will be helpful as you shop during the festive period.

When it comes to buying presents for your family it can be a tough ask, even worse for those you are close to as our needs change often. This year I decided to change my tactic and instead of guessing what I think my family would like as done in the past when I put together ultimate gift guides, this year I chose to ask everyone what they want and start shopping in advance. The list of small businesses I have compiled below covers a wide range of gift ideas: for the traveller, babies + kids, adults and even art lovers.

TravelEatSlay

TravelEatSlay is a small business that was started by Caroline – an avid traveller, she created a platform to give travellers a relatable travel accessory. In Caroline’s own words “TravelEatSlay is not just a brand, it’s a movement.” Today, the TravelEatSlay community has expanded to hosting day trips, events, local experiences and adventures. Uniting solo, like-minded jetsetters, creators and explorers to create travel memories.

If you are looking for something different and unique for the traveller in your life, I encourage you to check out her shop, where you can get TravelEatSlay merchandise that every traveller (and non-travellers) would absolutely love.

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TowelaJ Crochet

Towela J Crochet is a small business that was born out of a much-loved passion and hobby and turned into a small business creating handmade headwear and baby items including; head-wraps, satin-lined bonnets, headbands and wrap skirts. The shop has a variety of other items that everyone would absolutely love. I own countless head-wraps from the brand including their satin-lined bonnets.

The business delivers across Europe, US and Canada including Australia and some Asian countries. They sell on eBay, Etsy or you can buy directly from their website where you can find the most up-to-date information on what is currently available. For avid and even novice crocheters, you will find a wide range of patterns and material which you can buy and recreate.

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SoSewwy

So Sewwy is a small shop that knits, crochets and sews a variety of items include masks, face scrubs, organic tote bags and head-warps. Founded a couple of years ago, it has become one of my favourite shops and delivery is efficient. Since the pandemic, I made sure to stock up on masks and all my cure patterned masks are from this shop.

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Sew Darn Dainty

Sew Darn Dainty is a small business created by Hannah – a mum of two, her business was born in the midst of this year where she creates unique handmade children’s clothing, hair accessories and one-off pieces. You can find them on Etsy where they showcase a wind range of products that they offer and they are slowly adding more items.

Saka Luxe Beauty

Saka Luxe Beauty is a small business and a British online Natural Hair and Skincare Company founded in Bristol 2020. Their ethos is based on creating simple and affordable products that help to moisturise and nourish the hair and body. I have only recently been acquainted with the brand and absolutely love what I see. The items they sell would definitely make such a lovely gift for those with afro type hair and those looking to try something different for their skincare.

This company was birthed out of a relatable frustration of reading ingredients labels that have names too long and too difficult to pronounce or understand. I wanted to know exactly what I was using, and being able to see the process from beginning to end. This is why each product is handmade and very much a labour of love. What was once a dream is now a selection of products available on their Etsy store.

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Art by Emelda

Art by Emelda is a small business run by Emelda and her husband, this is another brand that was born this year and the produce incredible merchandise. Emelda is the owner and designer of Art by Emelda, her husband Dr Ayodeji – helps her with everything! With a Mechanical Engineering background, he brings a lot of structure and design ideas to the business.

Emelda’s passion for Arts and Fashion has massively grown over the years. Coming from a fashion buying background, she has developed a love for sourcing products and including Arts was a no-brainer. I love their concept of wearable art – their sweatshirts are some of my favourites, they incorporate the African art and catchy phrases making for a unique handmade present.

Like everyone, 2020 pushed Emelda to take a chance, being a new mum in 2020 conditions really took a toll on her mental health and art was her way of expressing herself. She says “it brings much joy to see my work in people’s homes or on YOU…as I call it “wearable art”

There are so many wonderful small businesses in the UK and I am glad to know a few of them and bought from some of them. I think it’s so important to support the small business especially now as the economy seems to have tuned thanks to the pandemic. You too may have been hit hard on the purse line and can not afford to support a small business, there are other ways you can support a small business, they just need a little of your time to act.

For those looking to support black-owned businesses (not other for black people, this is for everyone), you can check out Jamii a discount card and discovery platform, that is making it easy for you to find and shop at the best of independent black-owned businesses in the UK. They stock a wide range of products from hair care products through to skincare products and much more.

What small businesses are you supporting this year? Are there any high street shops in your community that can do with a few sales? Check them out, support them and keep them afloat. Don’t forget about your corner shop either, they took have felt the impact this year has had on various businesses.