Smaller, Independent Brands for your Holiday Shopping Needs
By: Alex Hamer
Tags: Small Business, Christmas, Online Shopping, Holiday Shopping, Holidays

Struggling to think of what gifts to get family and friends this holiday season? With the COVID-19 pandemic, holiday shopping will likely be done even more through Amazon and other enormous online retailers this year.

But in a tough year for so many people, holiday shopping presents a great chance to give back to smaller, independent companies and Gen Z entrepreneurs instead. With holiday shopping in full swing, many outlets are offering special deals and store credit by simply signing up with an email. Here are a few places to check out for all your gift-giving needs this holiday season.

Displate

Looking for a poster of your friend’s favorite show, but don’t want it to rip or fall apart when dorm move-outs roll around? Displate, which creates and ships metal posters worldwide, offers the perfect alternative to the traditional paper poster.

Whether it’s your favorite TV or movie character, athlete, landscape or original artistic creation, Displate has an incredibly wide-ranging collection to pick from for any interest out there. Many posters are handmade in Europe, with the option of a matte or gloss finish and a variety of sizes to choose from as well, depending on how much you want to spend. I purchased one from one of my favorite shows, Peaky Blinders, and the quality was as advertised.

Though they may be more expensive than the traditional poster, the vast improvement in quality and opportunity to support the artists who create them make them a great addition to any room.

For the Star Wars fanatic in your life, a Displate poster is sure to catch the eye.

Uncommon Goods

Uncommon Goods is an independent company founded in 1999, perhaps ironically lining up with the age of many of its Gen Z customers. As its name might suggest, Uncommon Goods offers a variety of unique products and trinkets that are crafted by independent designers.

The products range from traditional holiday gifts like clothing and jewelry to home, kitchen and bar accessories. A spotlight section on Black, independent creators also lets the socially-conscious shopper support a good cause.

It’s easy to get lost browsing the unique variety of products on show, and with their holiday gift guide, you can find the best gifts to fit your budget.

Uncommon goods makes it easy to shop for your budget.

The Grommet

Like Uncommon Goods, The Grommet has a wide-ranging collection of niche products. They tout the fact that to ensure high quality, every product on their site is tested, with fewer than three percent of them making it to the public.

With ultra-specific categories tailored to price, different family members and the tech-savvy or artistic lovers in your life, finding the right gift for even the pickiest of recipients shouldn’t be a problem.

Now that you’re probably spending more time than ever behind your desk, gadgets like this organizer can keep the clutter to a minimum.

StickerYou

Looking to help accessorize your laptop case with a sticker that won’t fall apart after a couple of weeks of use? StickerYou offers that, and the ability for creatives who can’t find the sticker designs they want to make their own.

Whether it’s a laptop sticker or a car magnet that you don’t want to deteriorate quickly, StickerYou lets creatives build their own product.

Prezzybox

If you’re looking for a stocking stuffer that’s more exciting than socks, Prezzybox has a variety of visually-pleasing, comedic books among a host of other trinkets. They also have easily navigated categories to find the right gift for whoever you’re shopping for — sensing a theme in these recommendations?

A fun stocking stuffer gift like this can come in handy if you’re stuck inside this winter.

Still need more options? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with even more small business options specifically tailored for creatives. Check them out!