Christmas is the best time of year for trade for any retailer. Increasingly though, some people choose to boycott big brand names. There are many reasons people choose to do this, not least of all to support local or small traders. If you’re considering excluding big names from your Christmas shop this year, and for whatever reason, here are some ways you can have a stress-free shopping period.
Small Trade Retail Websites
Websites such as Etsy, Not on the High Street, Red Bubble and others like them are great places to get unique gifts. Produced by small traders run by one person, they sell unique handmade goods. Concerns about quality of the goods are easily dismissed as customers are able to review product quality and the customer service of the seller. These are often freelancers and people lovingly making crafts as a side business. Some may do it for a side income while others do it full time and rely on Christmas sales.
Christmas Markets
Why not make a day out of your Christmas shopping? Nothing beats going to the shops but when you’ve made a conscious decision to boycott the big companies, your options may be limited. Forego the high street in favour of a Christmas market. Most places have them now and although many are over a single weekend, some are so big that they run for a whole month. They don’t have the same traders for all that time so it’s always worth repeated visits. A great place to get good, local, unique products.
Charity Shops
For the carbon footprint conscious amongst us, there is no better way to do Christmas than with upcycled or “pre-loved” goods. Often a way of finding books that are out of print, furniture pieces and ornaments you can’t get elsewhere, you’re not only helping the environment, but helping charities at a tough time of year as well. Charity shops are great places to shop for students on a limited budget because it’s much easier to stretch the amount of money you have to spend on Christmas gifts just a little bit further.
Make Your Own
Time is too short to spend it learning how to do a dozen new things and some things will be beyond you without years of practice. But one place where you might succeed in drumming up mountains of Christmas gifts is the kitchen. Cakes, puddings, even taking a standard bottle of spirit and adding spices, orange peel and sweeteners can turn a mixer into a festive treat. Start small, maybe with biscuits as these tend to last. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, chutneys and jams might be the challenge you need.