Although it may seem easier to head to a department store or shop on a big name website this holiday season, supporting handmade businesses has a much bigger impact than giving your money to huge retailers in exchange for mass-produced goods. If you're in doubt, check out these 5 amazing reasons why you should buy handmade for the holidays:
1. You're helping someone support their family. By purchasing handmade, you're helping an artisan support her or his or their family. You're helping them pay their bills, purchase food and have a home to live in. You're helping give them the opportunity to do what they love to take care of themselves and their family. Handmade products support the individuals who make them instead of huge corporations.
2. Handmade goods are unique. With handmade items, there are often only a certain amount available, and some are even one-of-a-kind! Buying handmade means you most likely won't have to worry that someone you know will have the same product, and you probably won't have to worry about gifting the same item as someone else!
3. You can get custom items. Most handmade artisans offer customization to their products and are open to creating designs just as you would like them to be. This cannot be said for the vast majority of goods you would find in a department store or big name retailer. There are plenty of artisans out there who would be more than happy to create a custom piece to your specifications.
4. You can avoid crowded stores. When buying handmade, you won't have to worry about waiting in line or trying to maneuver through crowds or hurry to try get an item before its sold out as most handmade products are sold in small, independent shops, at craft shows and online. So, relieve yourself from some stress and check out these alternatives to shopping at packed stores during the holidays.
5. You can support your local community! There are likely many artisans in your area that create a variety of goods. Be on the lookout for craft shows and business cards throughout your area to find out any artisans that might be local to you. You may also be able to find some boutiques nearby that specialize in selling locally handmade goods. By choosing handmade for the holidays, you are helping to support your local community instead of huge corporations.
These are just a few of the many reasons why you should buy handmade for the holidays! If you have any other suggestions on why people should buy handmade, please let us know in the comments!