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Do you need some unique Christmas gift ideas for those hard to shop for people in your life? Want to support small businesses? Here are lots of ideas to choose from!
These are companies and individuals that I myself chose to spotlight, no compensation involved. I know what it’s like to invest oneself in a product – to be anxious about whether or not it will fulfill the hopes and dreams of the buyer – to groan over self promotion. Life is much easier when other people market for you of their own free will because they love what you’re doing. Keep that in mind this holiday season and give some shout outs to your favorite small companies! (Feel free to do this in the comments!)
In no particular order…
Equine Keepsakes
My beloved horse Traveler (who graced the cover of Necessary Food with me) had to be put down in December of last year. My sister’s horse Windy Gail had to be put down at the same time, so we both lost our “heart horses” that we had grown up with. Katelyn just ordered these beautiful pendants from Equine Keepsakes using hair from the horses’ manes and tails and is going to put them on keyrings for us. SHOP NOW
PC: Katelyn Thomas
A Fine Quotation
Carrie is an exceptional artist and a really really nice person. I’ve ordered several things from her Etsy shop lately for gifts – including the Sherlock Holmes bookmark above for my sister Nicole. Her bookmarks, stickers, prints, and mugs are perfect for the bookworms in your life. SHOP NOW
PC: A Fine Quotation
PS – Carrie also cohosts an Instagram account called @lockhartlanefolks that sells used books. This is a delightfully dangerous account because you can buy books through Instagram stories throughout the month, then get invoiced through PayPal for your stack at the end of the month and receive a box of books in the mail – without having to leave your couch. I am trying to restrain myself because I know we will probably be moving in a few years and I have already had to move my book collection a few times too many.
Doughnique
This high quality homemade play dough company is the brainchild of my friend Andrea. The play doughs are scented with essential oils, and you can buy them on their own or as part of sensory play kits perfect for little hands and big imaginations. SHOP NOW
This is a Canadian business but they do ship to the US. Click here to see their shipping policy.
PC: Doughnique
Melt the Heart
This is an all around neat company that sells books, CDs, audio stories, calendars, and more! You can CLICK HERE to shop all their products.
This is a nifty “verse for the day” daily calendar for 2022 that has a picture and a KJV verse for each day of the year! SHOP
This CD caught my eye because I’ve seen some of Fountainview Academy’s videos on YouTube and I think a Christmas CD by them would be a great addition to my collection! SHOP
PC: Melt the Heart
Laudate Mennonite Ensemble
Laudate just released a new CD! I sang with this group in 2016 and 2018 so they have a very special place in my heart. I’m so excited for this newest CD – I smiled and nodded my way through one of their live concerts and can’t wait to hear the songs again. The repertoire is an eclectic mix, as per usual. You can listen to several of the songs from the CD on LME’s YouTube channel, including my favorite song of the CD right here – “If I Can Help Somebody.”
CLICK HERE for the newest release.
This gem is one of my favorite Christmas CDs! CLICK HERE to see it. There are 3 songs on YouTube from this album, one of which you can see HERE.
CLICK HERE to shop all their music!
PC: Laudate Mennonite Ensemble
Living Waters Book & Toy Store
This book and toy store caters to US and Canadian audiences alike. You can CLICK HERE to shop all their products. I’ll highlight a few that interest me.
This puzzle caught my eye because I loved floor puzzles as a child! SHOP
This book is super special to me because it was one of MY favorite books growing up – and now my old dog-eared copy is one of Hadassah’s favorite books! SHOP
This new book is especially special because my sister in law helped edit it and the family telling the story attend my in-laws’ church in Ontario, Canada. Galen and Patricia Horst have a homestead and a large homeschooling family. This book is about their journey through the loss of their oldest daughter, Amanda, from a heart condition. You can see the book here.
You can also purchase the book HERE from Amazon.
PC: Living Waters Book & Toy Store
Sacred Choral Music
Sacred Choral Music is your Mennonite choral CD resource. They have other products too, but they’re one of the first places I look if I want to order CDs. SHOP NOW
PC: Sacred Choral Music
Lucinda Kinsinger
Lucinda is a new follow of mine, recommended to me by my sister in law whose taste in books I admire. Anything but Simple was highly recommended to me – although I have not had a chance to read it yet – and Turtle Heart is a new release. SHOP NOW
PC: Lucinda Kinsinger
Peanut Butter & Dragon Wings :: Shari Zook
I have read this book and I really liked it. If you read Shari’s blog you know that she’s real and human and spins words in an artistic way that still makes sense and punches you in the gut and brings a wry smile at the same time. SHOP NOW
M is for Mama: A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood
This book is still in preorder so I haven’t read it, but I know it’s going to be good because Abbie shoots straight and uses exquisite grammar – two things I greatly appreciate. You can see examples over at @m.is.for.mama on Instagram. SHOP NOW
Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
I have been admiring this Bible story book for some time and would really like to get it for Hadassah! I haven’t actually read it, but it’s published by Christian Light Publications so I don’t think it’s going to be too doctrinally unsound and the illustrations look beautiful. SHOP NOW
Also available HERE from CLP.
PC: Christian Light Publications
Giveaway!
This giveaway is over and the winners have been contacted via email. Thanks for entering!
I’m giving away 2 cookbooks and 2 x $25 to use towards a gift for yourself or someone you love! 4 winners total! Entries must be made through the Rafflecopter widget below. (If you’re on mobile, click on the Rafflecopter button and you’ll be taken to a screen where you can enter.) Winners will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond before forfeiting to someone else. Giveaway ends December 13, 2021, at midnight CT. If you have trouble entering from a mobile device, try a desktop computer. All monetary transactions will be done via PayPal.
Speaking of cookbooks…
Necessary Food and Convenient Food would make excellent Christmas gifts for the cooks in your life! I’ve heard that they’re easy to use and the food’s pretty good. 😉
Need some cute labels?
I recently bought some of these labels and they’re so fun to have on hand for homemade gifts! Jars of homemade granola (coming soon!) or hot chocolate mix, skin balm, etc.
Other gift ideas from some of my affiliates
*may be THM personal choice due to the tapioca fiber
Lakanto Chocolate Covered Almonds
*may be THM personal choice due to the tapioca fiber
If you’re like me, your chocolate chip stash is very precious. The perfect gift idea for yourself or another Trim Healthy Mama!
The perfect small gift in a delightful scent.
A high quality nostalgic toy for the children in your life!
Photo credit for affiliate products credit to their respective companies.
Our whole family loves the Bible Story book! We also know the artist who drew those pictures. Really great family. They do a lot of illustrating for CLP.
So neat! Having a personal connection makes it even more meaningful!
Hey Briana, you can’t go wrong with getting Tell Me The Stories of Jesus! Our children were gifted that book while we were serving in El Salvador several years ago n it’s already falling apart n looks very tattered. They Love that book!! The stories are very easy to understand n not so long. Thanks for these ideas 😊 I always enjoy reading your post!
That’s great to hear, Clara! Thanks for the feedback!
I went to the youtube channel to listen to the song “If I Can Help Somebody.” What an absolutely beautiful song. I’ve asked God why he didn’t give me a beautiful singing voice. I know when I sing praise it is only beautiful to him. 🙂 However, not having a good singing voice allows me to enjoy others’ God-given gifts. I will look into the other small business options you have listed. God bless you and your beautiful family. (ps -If I could sneak getting some of my daughter’s horse, Tivito’s mane, I will definitely be getting that locket)
Isn’t it neat that God gives us all different gifts? 😉 I’m sure you have some special ones!
Hi Briana!
These shops and gifts look incredible!! I’ll definitely have to try them out ❤️ And the giveaway looks great, too! I just entered ☺️
Thanks for all you do here on your blog!
Thanks for stopping by, Callie!
Love these ideas! We have a Tupperware shape sorter that’s lasted through many children 🙂 Christmas CD’s and peanut butter cups go hand in hand, right?!
Our family has a small Etsy shop and we’d love if you’d stop by at http://www.etsy.com/shop/MyersHouseHandcrafts
Use code THANKYOU for 10% off a $25 purchase!
Merry Christmas!
The Myers Family
I enjoyed checking out your shop, Becky!
I love your newsletters! I sent my email address again with my entry for the give aways. While I have both your cookbooks, I know plenty of moms that would enjoy a copy too.
The gift that keeps on giving!