Gift Guides 2020: Places to Shop that Aren't Amazon

If we’ve learned anything from this year, collectively, it’s that Jeff Bezos definitely doesn’t need any more money. I’m personally trying to do more shopping small this holiday season — not only to support friends (both real and internet) during a difficult time, but also to ensure that some of my beloved smaller businesses are still around when we finally get a COVID vaccine.

Honestly, it does feel a little weird to post a gift guide this year — and none of these are affiliate links, so we’re not even making 2 cents per purchase on anything you happen to buy — when so many people are financially insecure and when the holiday season will inevitably be abnormal. That said, giving gifts to my loved ones is one of my favorite things, and I am only shopping small this year, so I wanted to share a few spots that I adore with all of you. I am consciously trying to support BIPOC or women-owned businesses, so that’s the focus of the below.

Some of my favorite spots

• A’mano Gifts one of the coolest stores I’ve ever been into, and they’ve pivoted well to online — I’m embarrassed to show y’all how much I have in my cart right now

• Sarah Otts Gallery — a bright and colorful gallery with some amazing and unique finds that literally bring a bright spot to my day

• Shop Made in DC a collective storefront for some amazing local makers in Washington, DC

• Biscuit Home Splurgy home goods, but also the home of my favorite bedding — I’ve had a set of the polka dot sheets for years, and they are on my bed 80% of the time

• The Cashiers Store Cashiers, NC is one of my favorite places on the planet, and I love everything this store has put out to celebrate this special spot

• Tuckernuck I just about always have something from Tuckernuck in the cart — it’s unique, affordable, and preppy — three of my favorite things!

• LeMel Jewelry or Oceanne Jewelry because we can all use a little bit of sparkle this year!

• Bitter Southerner for thoughtful coffee table books and fun home goods that highlight the new South

• Holst and Lee for stylish clothes and accessories — I adore all of the earrings, and I keep finding reasons to add to my collection

• Phenomenal for the most confortable sweatshirts out there.

• Bookstores to support:

  • Page and Palette, Fairhope, AL

  • Solid State Books, Washington, DC

  • Page One Books, Evanston, IL

  • Kramers, Washington, DC

A few fun stocking stuffers!

• Gourmet popcorn from Lammar Marie Popcorn

• Penzeys spices

• Highline Wellness CBD Gummies

• Fancy pajamas — I’m partial to Lake

• The best notepads from Appointed

• Colorful masks from Bombchel

• The funniest cards from Party Sally

Some exceptionally talented artistic friends (both real and internet!)

• Meg Biram

• Augusta Wilson

• Lizzie Jones at Little Louise Needlepoint

• Macon York Costlow at Cotton Bottom Press

• Jessica Pierce at Pierce Paints

• Eden Flora

…and what’s on my list?

I’m moving to a new apartment in January, and I’ll have so much more space (and a washer/dryer! and a balcony!), so it’s a home-centric Christmas for me. A few things that I hope to bring back to DC with me:

• Estelle Colored Glass wineglasses in smoke (I think? I can’t decide on a color!)

• A new cutting board

• Spreaders from one of my favorites small shops in Virginia

• A giant basket for my living room

• One of Hannah Lane’s Crowd series (a girl can definitely dream!)

• A Chappywrap blanket for my new couch