hello ho ho ho's... merry holidays to you and yours! i wanted to compile a list for you all that showcases small, Boston local businesses that you can support this holiday season. most of these businesses are black and/or womxn owned businesses because that's the vibe folks. i drew inspiration from some other holiday guides, most from Black Owned Boston though, so definitely check out their expansive list.
food - a very good place to start
Clarke’s Cakes and Cookies *^ - delicious vegan desserts
@loudgirlgoodies ^=- i had to plug myself because really, who makes better vegan edibles in Boston?? i can ship to whoever needs a little pick me up the most in your life. the shop is password protected, its flyme2themoon <3
Sassy Jack Chick’n *^ - vegan chicken drums, with a yucca fry as the “bone”. seriously delicious. (can be frozen and reheated)
A-Butter *• - flavored almond butter
Happy Bean Roaster *• - buy local coffee beans, they taste better
Nussli 118º (Black Owned Boston) - think charcuterie board, but make it vegan... crackers, cashew cheese, nuts, superfood blends, etc.
TheTeSpa *^• - tea, Herbal Blends
Granola Simply * - Granola!
RUNE Kitchen = - adaptogen blends, tea, potions, spices
Meal Mantra * - jarred indian curry
Mass Food Delivery - “a farmers market, delivered to you”
Boston Public Market - indoor marketplace featuring artisans and food offering fresh foods, prepared meals, crafts, and specialty items.
HOME & WELLNESS
I&I Rose Garden - *^ - so many things, hit her up on instagram for her shop password: yoga classes, infused goodies, juices, private coaching sessions, infused dinner parties, and so much more
Full Moon Botanica *^• - crystals, smudge sticks, candles, jewelery, witch shit
Uvida Shop ^ - plastic free store located in East Boston, local Latina women owned
High Tarot Vibrations *^• - tarot readings, crystals, room sprays, incense, bundle kits, events
Sharm Naturals *^• - black hair care products
Frugal Bookstore *^ - Black owned bookstore that is set up for e-commerce and ships!
Soap Her Girl *^• - eczema friendly bath and body products
Brown and Coconut *^• - natural skincare
Krio Skincare * - anti-ashy serums
Hippie Adjacent *^•- handmade clay earrings and accessories
Beyond Candles *^• - soy candles
Ritual Arts ^ - Allston's local witch store: crystals, incense, tibetan sound bowls, literature, trinkets
Cambridge Naturals - carries local brands, large CBD collection, bulk spices, bath/home/body/skin products, food staples unique items
ZIRAN ^ - sustainable silk clothing & face masks
Kush Groove Smoke Shop * - if you were thinking about buying some smoking paraphernalia, support a black owned smoke shop. locations in Cambridge and Mission Hill
Passion Planner ^ - for the Aquarius in your life... but seriously this is the best planner out there.
UNIQUE IDEAS
gift card to a great local restaurant
hit up your artist friends for a custom piece of art - pro tip: pay them more than they ask for… artists always tend to undercharge for their skillset and every piece is handmade and unique. you are paying for the years and years of training that brought them to the point of selling their art
workout with a personal trainer, personal yoga instructor - most personal trainers are unemployed right now because gyms and yoga studios are closed still. a lot of people would be willing to do a facetime yoga session. you can make these workouts are personalized as you want and you’ll be supporting a human in the process!!
write a heartfelt note with your gift. some talking points: describe your day going to pick out this gift for the person, why you picked it for them, backstory on the business, how you’ve been coping in 2020, wishes for health and prosperity, positive vibes, personal reflection *bonus points if you buy (or make) the card from a small, BIPOC owned business*
a donation to a cause you/they believe in!!! - some suggestions: NAICOB, Strike Boston, Freedom Fighters Coalition, Black Lives Matter BOS, Black Owned BOS, ACLU, ActBlue
pay for their next tattoo or piercing
homemade food or crafts
homemade sex tape, sexy pictures, handwritten erotica... whatever tickles their fancy
LOCAL EVENTS
here are some boston local events happening where you can go browse a collection of stores all at once!
Black Owned BOS Holiday Shop - Nov 29 - Dec 20, in Dedham shop Black Owned Businesses
Harvard Square Holiday Fair - no in person market this year, but the online site is up!
CraftBoston Holiday - online event put on by Boston's Society of Arts & Crafts
TAKEAWAYS
don't you DARE support Amazon; you can find anything and everything you need local and small
avoid big corporations
give the gift of ART
you don't have to spend a shit ton of money to make someone happy
KEY:
*black owned business
^woman owned business
=LGBTQIA+ owned business
wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season. may your days be merry and bright <3
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