Shopping local for the holidays

Is anyone else wondering where October went? I honestly can hardly believe it's almost November. With November approaching only two things on my mind, my birthday and Christmas.

Are you a person that starts Christmas shopping early? My family draws names for gifts so I usually don't have too much to buy. One of my good friends who live in Winnipeg we sent gifts to each other every year and it can be super fun. For about the last 4 years or so I have really tried to focus on my gifts from local shops. I first look in Saskatoon, then Saskatchewan, then look to the surrounding provinces. I think it is so important to support our local economy. This year on amazon prime days I decided to cancel my membership and really focus on supporting local. Especially with this crazy year we had. It was devastating seeing these great small shops having to close.

The easiest way that I learned about all the amazing local shops was going to markets. I have always been obsessed with markets, even while travelling. Saskatoon has great local gift markets and Christmas is usually a big time of year for them. This year is going to be different and most of these markets are moving and relying on online business.

I would encourage you to try and get all your shopping done locally. My personal favourite gifts are creating themed gift baskets. I usually do this at every occasion I can. There are local companies curate this for you including- Poetica. Poetica is actually a floral studio and they do themed curated gifts from local suppliers. Joyne market place and Hen and Chicks Studio are great stores located down store that houses all these small and local suppliers, I would definitely go and check these out for future shopping.

My current Favourites, I find most of these thought instagram and markets that I attend. These are only a hand full that I can list off the top of my head, I am so sorry if I missed you! I believe you can also get gift cards for places that have a storefront!!

decor/home

• Wood Walker Customs (SK)

• js Letter co (MB)

• The Eucalyptus Collective (SK)

• Ardor Home Goods (SK)

• Small Shapes Pottery (SK)

• Prairie knot co (SK)

• Artist Elaine Dailay (MB)

• Design build plants (SK)

• Joy Weave co (SK)

• String and Bone (MB)

• Milk Jar (AB)

• Nicole Walah Art (SK)

• Third Wheel Ceramic (AB)

food/ bar

• Kitako Lake Honey (SK)

• Abiding citizen (SK)

• Parkerviews Brews (SK)

• Thrive (SK)

• VENN (SK)

• Night oven Bakery (SK)

• Those Girls At the Market (SK)

• Three Farmers (SK)

• Prairie Sun Brewery (SK)

• 9 Mile Legacy Brewing (SK)

• High Key Brewing (SK)

• Crossmount Cider (SK)

bath/ beauty

• Oak +Tonic (AB)

• Rocky Mountain soap company (AB)

• Soak Bath co (MB)

• Bath poetry (SK)

• Soap Box Bath Company (SK)

• The Hair clip girl (SK, BC)

• Willow Street Bees (SK)

• Oneiro (SK)

baby/ clothes

• Honubelle (AB)

• Rebecca King Fashion (SK)

• Little Luba (SK)

• My Babes (SK)

• Millies little closet (AB)

• Mini Moss (SK)

Local stores to support

• Escape sports

• Outtabounds

• Nicas Clothing

• Dutch growers

• Clemintine

• Hardpressed

• Hazlewood

• Bulk Cheese

• Cravings

• Refillery

Every single one of these businesses is on Instagram, and easy to find.

We also have so many amazing local coffee shops that you can buy beans from, no need to go to the nearest Starbucks! The farmers market is a great way to even make a gift basket for a charcuterie night or get a box curated from The Prairie Grazer . Maybe even buy class passes to a local guy and studio! The ideas are endless!! You have no excuses to go to the big box stores! Can you tell I like given gifts yet?

I really hope I helped and convinced you to support local this year for your holiday shopping. If you have any questions or want more ideas feel free to ask me!

Cheers :)

Nicole W