Support Small Business in Santa Barbara This Holiday Season
As 2020 comes to a close, I can’t help but reflect on this challenging year and what it means for the holiday shopping season. Holiday celebrations will look a bit different, with Zoom dinner parties, reduced travel to see loved ones, and (hopefully) no trips to big box stores at the mall. But hear me out… there’s still a way to connect to the ones you love this year while supporting your community. I’m talking about getting a bit creative, gift-giving with intention, all while supporting small businesses in Santa Barbara!
Small businesses truly are the backbone of any town, as they allow local craftspeople to monetize their passions and provide one-of-a-kind products to the community. This is as true in Santa Barbara as it is anywhere else, and as we round out this crazy year, I want to toast 🥂 the small businesses that have helped keep our spirits up in 2020! I’ve compiled a quick snapshot of some of my favorites, hoping you’ll be able to find gifts for the most important people in your lives while supporting our community.
Goodland Graze
For the charcuterie lover in your life🧀
Hats off to one of my favorite small businesses of 2020! I truly can’t think of a better social distancing activity than a picnic at the park and Goodland Graze makes it too easy. Gift your loved one(s) a surprise outing to the Rose Garden featuring one of their Grazing Boxes or Platters, sourced using ingredients from Farmer’s Markets in Santa Barbara and Goleta. And if you’re not quite ready to venture outside, a gift card and IOU will do just fine.
Even better, if cheese isn’t your thing, the team will work with you to craft some Vegan and Vegetarian options. I’ll go ahead and call that some Gouda customer service.
Photo Credits: @goodlandgraze on Instagram
Isaih.xyz
For the coffee and candle lover in your life☕️🕯
As newer members of the Santa Barbara community, Isaih and Mckenzie have come together to produce one-of-a-kind ceramics and candles. Isaih is the potter, and Mckenzie is the candle-maker, aka my textbook definition of a power couple. You can check out his creative process on Instagram, @isaih_pottery.
With new pieces being released every few weeks, each one is hand crafted and fired in Santa Barbara, and no two pieces are the same. Shop mugs, cups, and jars on their website, and if you truly want the community experience, they also offer pickup or local delivery! All creations are microwave and dishwasher safe, sustainably packaged, and absolutely beautiful.
Photo Credits: isaih.xyz
Pura Luna Apothecary
For the Crystal and Self Care lover in your life 🔮🧖♀️
When I think of Pura Luna Apothecary, I think of a true community staple to Santa Barbara. Their mission revolves around stocking their shelves with products from BIPOC/women owned businesses, while providing a safe space for the Santa Barbara community to reset.
Virtually drop in to explore their array of Books, Jewelry, Self Care items, Crystals, Herbal Extracts, or visit their store to have a (socially distanced) cup of tea in their garden. Don’t forget to take a look at their Custom Care Packages and Holiday Sets while you do your Holiday shopping. Also note the shop is open from Wednesday - Saturday 11am - 5pm. If you feel more comfortable online shopping, you can save on shipping and pick up in-store instead!
Photo Credits: puralunaapothecary.com
Santa Barbara Gift Baskets
For the Foodie in your life🍽
I’ve always loved Gift Baskets and think they’re one of the most fun gifts to give or receive. They can be customized to fit that special someone in your life, they’re aesthetically pleasing, AND delicious (a win, win, win).
Santa Barbara Gift Baskets checks all of those boxes and then some, offering a curated selection of local products in each of their baskets. Since this blog is focusing on the holiday season, I'll call out that their Christmas Baskets are cute, sophisticated, and unique. Plus, i’m a sucker for a play on words and will personally be indulging in the Santa Claws Happy Hour box (featuring a 2020 staple, White Claw).
Photo Credits: https://www.santabarbaragiftbaskets.com/
Santa Barbara Hives
For the nature lover in your life🐝
Let’s talk about bees...best known for pollinating flowers and making the stuff we love to put in our tea. Santa Barbara Hives turned their fascination for these bees into a mission to support them. This Carpinteria, CA based company boasts environmentally sustainable packaging practices and most importantly... a whole page of Bee Quotes on their website.
Purchase all natural soap, beeswax lip balm (i’m looking at you - Burt’s Bees lovers), candles, and honey for your loved ones this season with Free Shipping on Orders $99+. Keep your eyes peeled for a big product drop coming up next week, just in time for the holidays!
Photo Credits: santabarbarahives.com
As I always end these blog posts, thanks for reading! I hope you discovered a new product and checked a few items off your list, if not then hopefully you’ll bookmark for later. I appreciate each and every one of you for reading and supporting my work, let’s continue supporting one another and the community into 2021 and beyond!
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