(Slightly late) Small Business Saturday gift guide, and a Boston craft fair list

I’m not a fan of Small Business Saturday‘s corporate sponsorship, but I think the basic idea is sound. For those who can afford to do so, supporting small businesses–especially local ones–is a good way to take part in building a sustainable, humane, community-based economy.

With the usual caveats that 1.) individual consumer choices are not a substitute for political engagement and 2.) spending time together is always a wonderful gift and there should be no obligation to buy anything for anyone, here are a few items I like from small businesses and craftspeople around the internet, some of whom are local to Boston.

1.) “Gigi” burlesque mug – Dupenny –  £13.50
2.) Unicorn Landia nail polish – Starrily at ShanaLogic – $9.99
3.) Collectible narwhal ornament – Magic Bean Buyer at ShanaLogic – $15.99
4.) See you space corgi sticker – Megan Lara at RedBubble – $4.00
5.) Mauve crystal and feather fascinator – I Am Joolienn on Etsy – $25.00 (Note: Joolie is a Somerville local who makes all sorts of pretty, shiny, feathery things.)
6.) Cat life brooch – The Tiny Hobo on Etsy – $10.00 (Note: The Tiny Hobo also makes a ton of fat-pos stuff, which you can find in her main shop, t-shirt shop, and Custom Plus shop.)
7.) Peacock feather journal set – CoupCoup Designs on Etsy – $12.00
8.) Neon rainbow felt necklace – HandiCraftKate on Etsy – $55.00
9.) Signed machines of love poster – DFTBA Records – $15.00
10.) Chocolate Mexicano sampler – Taza Chocolate – $21.00 (Note: Taza is a local company that makes Mexican-style fair-trade chocolate right here in Somerville. They also give tours, which look like fun.)

Two other gift guides I like are Roxane Gay’s list of small press books to love, and TreeHugger’s 5 green causes for holiday gift donations. Juliet Schor also makes a good case for giving gifts that fight climate change, such as crowdfunding clean energy and donating to climate activist groups.

If you’re in Boston and have the time/energy to do so, I also recommend checking out some of the local craft fairs and markets. I am always amazed by how many talented artists and craftspeople we have in our area!

ArtROX!
Multiple dates throughout December
Roxbury

Cultural Survival Bazaar
Multiple dates throughout December
Cambridge and Boston

Downtown Boston Holiday Market
Multiple dates throughout December
Boston

Harvard Square Holiday Fairs
Multiple dates throughout December
Cambridge

The 2013 Boston Handmade Holiday Gallery
Multiple dates throughout December
Brookline

Holiday Arts & Eats at Assembly Row
Friday, Dec. 6th – Sunday, Dec. 8th
Somerville

Artisans’ Asylum Winter Open Studios
Saturday, Dec. 14th, 1-4 p.m.
Somerville

Boston Artist and Burner Bazaar 
Sunday, Dec. 15th, 1-6 p.m.
Boston

SOWA Holiday Market
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14th and 14th, 12-6 p.m.
Boston

Edited to add: here’s a list of holiday markets in Somerville that has even more opportunities to buy local.

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