Supporting Small Business

Tomorrow is actually shopping small business Saturday I think it is a day which has come over from the US and it is always the first Saturday of December. If you have read my blog, previously you will know that I like to support smaller companies whether that should be companies who make bows or toddler clothing to beauty products and candles.

As Christmas approaches quickly and many of us are still yet to purchase gifts so those who we love why not have a look at some of the smaller companies. Today I am going to share with you 9 of my favourites who I have either used this festive period or have used in the past don't forget some of these people run them as a hobby on top of the full-time job and the majority of them are also parents.  These companies can change people's lives forever so please support them.

If you are looking for a blanket for a toddler or a baby this festive season I would recommend checking out gladragscustomcloths. This is a company who I used very recently and Jess adores her buggy blanket so much that she actually gets very annoyed if I do not pick it up when we go in the pram. She has a wide range of fabric so you can customise what you have it does not have to be Marvel like mine and the fleece on the back can be changed to be brushed cotton and the colours can be personalised as well. We have has so many compliments on our blanket in the few weeks we have been using it so if you want something a little bit different I would recommend checking them out I think this cost me £20 so it will not break the bank. 

 A company who I know I have mentioned previously is a bow come true I actually got some bows for the rugby final back in August and Jess's Birthday bow from this company. Along with a handful of other bows, I have not actually purchased her Christmas ones yet however, there is a penguin one which I have my eye on and a few more so beware I am sure a bow haul will be coming up before Christmas. If you want your little girl to have something pretty in her hair these would make an amazing gift, they would be great in a stocking you do not just have to get festive ones she still is making normal ones which you can wear all year along and they are such a reasonable price of around £2.50. You do not have to be a toddler to rock a bow either.

 Another, company that I have used a couple of times now and would recommend is Pretty penguin clothing. Recently, I purchase Jess a children in need skirt from this store and she has so many compliments on it when I took her to nursery. They are such good quality fabrics in a lot of different designs I think we currently own about 4 different skirts they also do bibs, leggings and rompers. I am unsure what size they actually go up to so this is going to have to be something which you might have to contact them about. I have my eye on a few more skirts for the future which after Christmas I think I am going to purchase. These skirts wash so well I could not be more impressed they are only £8 for the size which Jess needs which is crazy as that is cheaper than some of the high street stores.

Surviving Society is a company which allow you twin with your child because they do the same designs for adults as children. They are actually unisex as well so you could have the whole family matching which is very tempting. Twinning is not something which I have yet done with Jess however, it is something which I can see myself doing in the future. These are such high-quality t-shirts which would make a great gift for a child or adult I think they are a company which I will be purchasing off again in the future I might even have to get this top for myself and I have my eye on another one but who knows I might be lucky enough to receive it as a gift this Christmas. I think the children's tees are around the £12 mark and the adult ones around £22. 

Cards a something which we all seem to send at this time of year, of course, the picture above is the one of Jess's birthday card, however, Handmade by Bubblestorm is a company that I adore for cards. They have some beautiful ones which they have launched for Christmas which even can include a picture and a calendar inside of course this is something which I have had to order. The people have not seen them yet or I would have shared them. This is a company who I will be using more in the future I think they would be amazing at weddings and other big occasions where you want something perfect cards are £3.99 each so not the cheapest but I can tell you they are of such high quality and they do discount for orders over 2.

Dot Creates they do some of the most amazing stationary that you have ever seen. I technically could not show you it as it is part of my own Christmas present but it got delivered to my house. If you are a blogger you might want to check out the new blogger planners. I am someone who needs to be actually very organised I need to know when I have my posts going up and as well as knowing how I am actually growing on social media. Dot creates do actually some other items which you do not actually have to be a blogger to use they even do phone cases. These products are something which I would recommend I used the ultimate blog planner all of last year so I really can not wait to start using my new one. Everyone love stationary after all right? 

Hunter and the three bears is a company which I discovered this year and actually ordered a present for they do the most beautiful necklaces.Which you can have personalised with your children's name or any other name you want to. I love the idea of been able to have personalised jewellery they also key rings which says things such as this daddy belongs to and then the name of the children. I have actually ordered one of these for Jess's great nan as I think this is something which she will really enjoy don't worry she will not read this post at all. They are super reasonable as well they are cheaper than I found them on Etsy with postage a necklace and keyring cost me I think less than £15. Making things personalised always means so much more right.

Happy place cosmetics is a brand which I have been looking at for a long period of time however, I have not purchased them before Christmas. One of the reason is that I have so much Lush things which I would love to use up. I have decided that some people who are on my Christmas shopping list would love to receive some of the items they do which include bath bomb, soaps and body and shower whips. I love receiving gifts which have has some effort put in them rather than the something which has just been picked up. This company do some different scents which I have not thought of in the future, I would love to receive some of these but they sell out so fast. They are the same price as Lush so not too expensive. 

Paiges sweet treat shop is another small business that I would recommend of course as the name suggests they sell a lot of sweet treats. They have items to make hot chocolate like the picture above, they also do wine glasses with your names with gummy bears in them. Of course, you can get a lot of pick n mix and chocolate treats I think that with sweets that it is nice to sometimes get things which the person may not purchase for themselves or something which they maybe have not seen for a long time. I have ordered something for Jess's key worker from this store however, I can see me having to make a couple more orders from this site yet before Christmas shopping is over. 

Do you have any favourite small business if so let me know in the comments I always love checking them out?

Charlotte x