Cold air, changing leaves, and holiday displays signal the arrival of the biggest gift-giving season of the year. Many of us feel pressure to buy the perfect gifts for everyone on our list, often choosing things based on trends. What if we decided to change our approach to gift giving to lean more towards thoughtfulness and longevity? In a world increasingly dominated by fast-paced consumption, shopping locally offers a meaningful alternative that benefits both the planet and the community. By choosing to purchase from local makers and small businesses, we reduce the environmental impact and support artisans who create unique, high-quality products with care and craftsmanship. By shifting our perspective towards thoughtful, intentional buying, we vote with our wallets for more mindful consumption, sustainability, and strong local economies.
After the leftovers have been put away at our house on Thanksgiving, my cousin pours a glass of wine, and the family sits at the dining room table, sifting through Black Friday flyers. Black Friday shopping was an event in this family, bringing us together around strategically planning our shopping, waking up early, and the memories made throughout it all. When I think of Black Friday, I think of Best Buy, Target, and Macy’s, big box retailers that source products far from where they’re purchased, offering little insight into how things are made or where the benefits of profits are seen. Coined by American Express, Shop Small Saturday aims to support small businesses by encouraging people to shop from local small businesses the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Our family is creating new Black Friday traditions and I challenge you to do the same by taking a more conscientious approach to gift buying.
Choosing thoughtful and sustainable gifts can have lasting positive effects beyond the immediate moment of giving. Research by Capital One shows that when you shop at locally owned businesses, $68 out of every $100 spent stays within the local community. When you factor in businesses committed to sustainable practices, the potential benefits grow even more. Sustainable businesses prioritize minimizing waste by using materials that can be reused, recycled, or composted and are mindful of their environmental impact, taking steps to ensure their operations do not irreversibly damage the planet. A key reason a large portion of the money spent at local businesses stays in the community is that these small businesses often source raw materials from other local suppliers. This creates a ripple effect, reducing emissions throughout the product’s lifecycle—from production to retail—while supporting a more resilient local economy. Gifts from small businesses often carry a unique story that can be shared between the giver and the recipient, adding depth and meaning to giving. By choosing sustainable and locally sourced gifts, we enrich our relationships with one another and the local economy.
If you’re wondering how to take your local gift purchase to the next level by considering infusing thoughtfulness with sustainability, here are some tips.
- Giving experiences you can enjoy together is a way to create memories with the people on your list. Think of theatre tickets, a gift card to a local restaurant, a cooking or cocktail making class, or a holiday wreath or centerpiece making workshop.
- Choose items that are handmade by local artisans.
- Allow gifts to reflect your passions. If you like to bake, give cookies or cakes you’ve made and package them in containers from a local vintage shop. Give your favorite recipe by assembling the dry in a vintage container and attaching the recipe.
- Choose things meant to last.
- Get to know who you’re buying from. Check out the About section for local businesses to find out more about their practices and values to ensure they align with what you’re looking for.
With all that in mind, are a few of my favorite Nashville-made gift ideas.
Handmade Studio TN Memories that last a lifetime are the best gifts. Learn how to make your own treasures from clay in one of Handmade Studio TN’s ceramics workshops. They’re hosting one on December 6th where you will make your own serving platter and candy dish.
Flora Plant Shop Visit Flora to get inspiration for the plant lover on your list. They offer a wide variety of plants, like this Norfolk Pine, which provides a holiday ambiance and greenery all year long.
Undercurrent Studio Our lovely friend Stacy hand-makes jewelry that embodies the spirit of nature and the cycles in which we exist. Her beautiful pieces are skillfully shaped and etched in brass. Precious stones add pops of color to her unique pieces. Among the beauties she’s created are her Flight Earrings, which are equal parts whimsical and powerful.
Natalie Busby x Julie Maeseele Natalie Busby is a Nashville-based women’s clothing brand making easy to wear staples. Her pieces are suitable for everyday or can be dressed up for special occasions. Natalie recently teamed up with Alabama-based, ethical designer Julie Maeseele to create a holiday-exclusive top made from fabric scraps from Natalie’s production line.
Standard Proof Standard Proof is a Nashville-based micro distillery handcrafting whisky. The distillery offers cool experiences including cocktail-making classes and whisky tastings. Also check out their sister brand, Barsmith, for all the cocktail accouterment you could hope for.
Riveter Nashville Riveter Nashville is an “Independent Intentional Jewelry” brand. Riveter has rigorous standards based on their values including pieces that are handmade, made with recycled content, fair-mined, one-of-a-kind, allergy-friendly, or locally made. Take your friends for a holiday treat and enjoy their walk-in permanent jewelry experience!
