Holiday shopping season is here, and while Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer major savings, those two days aren’t the only opportunities to find gifts for everyone on your list. If you’re looking for unique gift ideas this year, consider shopping during Small Business Saturday (November 26!), an annual savings event that sheds light on local stores amidst the busy shopping season. The benefits? Most small businesses sell products that you can’t get anywhere else — whether online or in person. Plus, it’s a great way to both surprise your loved ones and support small business owners at the same time.
If you’ve never shopped on Small Business Saturday before, you’ve come to the right place. Ahead, we break down what you need to know about its history and how to find your local participating businesses. We also rounded up 30 of the best small businesses that will provide your holiday shopping season, and tidings, with equitable cheer. You’ll find everything from candles to cocktail sets to a puffy-sleeved dress from small businesses that are making their mark in their respective industries, including Caribbean Craft, Carlota, In Kidz and Loisa:
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1
ADORABLE EARRINGS
Lovearing
14k Gold Plated Brass Heart Screwback Earrings
2
INSPIRING COFFEE MUG
Effie’s Paper
Boss Babe Travel Coffee Mug
3
GREAT GIFT FOR BEAUTY LOVERS
Freck Beauty
Holiday Duo
4
A COMPLETE BARTENDER SET
Tom Bullock’s
Cocktail Shaker Bar Set
5
LOCAL SPICES
Loisa
Flavor Trio Combo
6
HANDCRAFTED DECOR
Caribbean Craft
Paper Mache Rainbow Zebra Head
7
AFFORDABLE JEWELRY
Joey Baby NYC
Kuro Necklace
8
GREAT GIFT FOR TODDLERS
Just Play
Qai Qai Doll by Serena Williams
9
GARDENING KIT FOR BEGINNERS
Hortiki Plants
Kitchen Herb Garden Kit
10
NOURISHING HAIR OIL
Brown Butter Beauty
African Marula Hair Oil
11
GREAT EDUCATIONAL TOY
Kemi Tignor
A Day at the Barbershop Memory Game
12
STYLISH, COMFY FOOTWEAR
Ubuntu Life
Women’s Mules
13
CULTURAL TOY SET
In KidZ
Mexico Culture Toy & Activity Box
14
FOR THOSE WHO LOVE CANDLES
CLR
Yellow Scented Candle
15
FASHIONABLE LUXURY HANDBAGS
Brandon Blackwood
Mini Kendrick Rhinestone Box Bag
16
ONE-OF-A-KIND ARTWORK
Marabou Design
Paramount
17
COMFY WEARABLE BLANKET
The Comfy
Oversized Microfiber & Sherpa Wearable Blanket
18
COLORFUL CANDLES
Tanaïs
Heart Chakra 8 oz. Candle
19
TRAVEL LIGHTED MIRROR
Riki Loves Riki
Cutie Portable Lighted Mirror
20
TRANQUIL TEA
The Qi
Special Connection Set
21
FUN DRESSES
Busayo
Daapo Printed Cotton Puff-Sleeve Dress
22
PRACTICAL OVEN LINERS
ThreadNanny
Heavy Duty Non-Stick Oven Liner, Set of 2
23
COOL LIGHTING
Swane Design
Barigo Ceiling Lamp
24
FRAGRANT ESSENTIAL OILS
P&J Trading
Gentlemen’s Fragrance Oils
25
HERBAL INFUSION MACHINE
LEVO
Herbal Oil and Butter Infusion Machine
26
SCENTED CANDLES
Craft & Kin
Smoke & Vanilla Scented Candle
27
FOLDABLE ELECTRIC SCOOTER
Gotrax
XR Elite Electric Scooter
28
ALUMINUM WHIPPED CREAM DISPENSER
EurKitchen
Aluminum Whipped Cream Dispenser
29
COLORFUL CARRYALL TOTE
Ubuntu Life
Weekender Tote Bag
30
UNDER DESK EXERCISE BIKE
DeskCycle
Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser with Adjustable Leg
31
SILICONE FOOD SAVERS
Food Huggers
5pc Reusable Silicone Food Savers
32
PIZZA OVEN BUNDLE
Bertello
Outdoor Pizza Oven Everything Bundle
What is Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday has become one of the hallmark sale events of the holiday shopping season. Originally organized by American Express in 2010, the shopping extravaganza is observed every year to help shine a light on small businesses that may be overshadowed by big box retailers during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The mission behind Small Business Saturday is to encourage consumers to funnel dollars into local establishments and celebrate small business owners and all they do for their communities. New for this year, AMEX is teaming up with TikTok on a #ShopSmall accelerator. Beyond your hometown, many of the brands we see while scrolling social media and even Amazon are qualified as small businesses as well. While there are endless small businesses you could shop online, we’re especially looking forward to shopping Black-owned, Latinx-owned, AAPI-owned, Indigenous-owned and women-led businesses online this Small Business Saturday (all of the brands featured on this list are diverse-owned).
When is Small Business Saturday?
Historically, Small Business Saturday takes place the last weekend in November, nestled between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It happens during this time because it’s one of the most popular shopping periods of the year. Small Business Saturday 2022 is coming on November 26, 2022.
Where does Small Business Saturday take place?
Small Business Saturday takes place across the country, whether you live in a bustling city or a small town. There are likely small businesses in your community that you don’t know yet, so try using the American Express locator app to find places to shop near you.
Jacorey Moon
Commerce Editor
Jacorey Moon is a commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where he covers small businesses, LGBTQ-owned businesses, BIPOC-owned businesses, fashion and grooming.
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Mon Nov 28 , 2022
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