The Best Gifts for Travelers to Support Small Businesses

Truth: When you support a small business, you’re supporting a dream. And helping the dreamer create jobs. And ensuring that they can actually stay in business. Before long, supporting a small business doesn’t seem so small!

I reached out to some of my favorite small businesses this year, and almost everyone has generously been able to give YOU, my readers, a discount code, FREE shipping, or special surprises this season! Be sure to give them all a follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Tik Tok, but most of all, enjoy shopping with these amazing, woman-owned small businesses!

*Note: The links below are not affiliate links, with the exception of Poppie’s Boutique. This means that I am not getting kick backs or compensation. Supporting small businesses on my platform isn’t about growing mine, it’s about growing theirs!

Marie Mae Company

If you’ve been following me for more than a minute, you already know I LOVE Marie Mae Company and their purpose. For every gift box sold, the founder, Jillian Ryan, donates an hour of her time to give business training to survivors of human trafficking. Her trainees go on to get incredible, livable jobs—Jillian has even hired several of her former students to work at Marie Mae!

Marie Mae’s gift boxes are always thoughtfully curated, and they always include ethically made gifts, many of which are made in America. Complimentary gold foil monogramming is available, and a hand-written message of your choice is always on the house! I love sending their gift boxes any time of year, but especially their special boxes at Christmas! Don’t forget to follow them on Instagram @mariemaecompany.

Just a few of Marie Mae’s gift box options this year!
Don’t forget to order by December 19, 2021.
Even better? Get 20% off when you use the code HOLIDAY21!
Also check out my episode of their podcast: The Business of Traveling for Good

The Root Collective

Do you know where or how your cheap, fast fashion shoes are made? Has it ever crossed your mind? I’m not here to make you feel guilty for buying what you can afford (I am the LAST person to do that!). However, I’ve had my eyes completely opened to what goes into making quality shoes. If you’re not already following The Root Collective on Instagram, I encourage you to start! Also check out the owner’s episodes on The Good Office Podcast about Leading with Integrity and Shopping Ethically Without Feeling Overwhelmed.

All of The Root Collective is an American woman-owned company, and their shoes are ethically handmade in Guatemala. You can get everything from flats to sandals to boots and booties! Want something special? You can have them customized to the color combo you like in leather, fabric, or both, which is such a fun option to have. And if you’re just not sure about the fit, you can actually text them at 919-373-3676 for help! And don’t forget to follow them on Instagram @therootcollective.

Order a pair you like, or customize the colors and fabrics to create something uniquely yours!
Get yours by Christmas! Order no later than December 1.
And get a 20% discount with code QUICKWHIT!

Kristen Baird Jewelry

In a beautiful instance of women helping women, even in their same industry, my friend Liliian of Lilli Dokken Jewelry introduced me to her friend Kristen of Kristen Baird Designs! Not only does Kristen create incredible custom designs, she also does something very fun for special occasions (like Christmas) called the “Sparkle Surprise!” You answer a few questions, pay a deeply discounted price, and Kristen will send you (or your giftee) a beautiful surprise piece!

This year’s Sparkle Surprise goes live November 12-14! Follow her on Instagram @kristenbairdjewelry and set a reminder! You’ll choose from a necklace, earrings, or stacking ring set, but exactly which style of those categories will be a surprise! Click here to order yours!

Even if you miss the deadline for the Sparkle Surprise (November 12-14 only), Kristen is graciously offering FREE shipping exclusively to my readers until November 30! The code QUICKWHIT2021 is good for FREE shipping on everything on her website!

Order Sparkle Surprises for you and a friend November 12-14!
Get yours by Christmas! Order no later than December 1.
Don’t forget to use code QUICKWHIT2021 for FREE shipping on everything on her website through November 30!

Linen & Clay

For a bit of a different style and price point, I think you’ll love Linen & Clay’s gorgeous and unique pieces! Brenli is the artist, and she creates all her jewelry out of clay, resulting in some of the lightest, sweetest earrings you’ll ever own! (Am I the only one who dislikes heavy things pulling on my ears for hours on end?) She has the prettiest statement earrings, stud sets, and even barettes made from beautiful shades of clay, but she also has tee shirts, key chains, fun stickers, and more! Follow Linen & Clay on Instagram @shoplinenandclay.

Just one of my favorites of Brenli’s designs!
Get yours by Christmas! Order no later than December 14.
And get a 15% discount with code QUICKWHIT15!

Poppie’s Boutique

This Tennessee-based boutique is my number one favorite! All of their styles are on-trend, beautiful, and fun! They have the best holiday party outfits this season, but the best part is that they’re all about positivity and supporting fellow women. They carry clothes for all body types, and they have new arrivals coming in every week, from sweaters to SPANX, and from flirty dresses to statement jewelry!

They’re also the first company to take a chance on me as an influencer. Poppie’s Boutique and their positive attiude will always give me the warm fuzzies, y’all. Do yourself a favor and follow their Instagram @poppiesboutiquetn!

So many fun, flattering, and cozy looks!
Order by December 1, 2021 to make sure you can get your goodies by Christmas!
Use code QUICKWHIT15 for 15% off your entire Poppie’s order, including everything from new arrivals to already discounted sale items!

SmartHER News

This one is near and dear to my heart. I’ve long been fed-up with the mainstream media, even before the “Fake News” movement started. Having earned my Communications degree, trust me when I say the meainstream media is doing more harm than good in the world. That’s why I’m so thankful for SmartHER News, started by former national news anchor Jenna Lee Babin who believes in true, non-partisan news.

Jenna doesn’t use ads, doesn’t tell you what or how to think, and doesn’t have funding from big companies or investors, who might have required her to lean a certain way. She is revolutionizing the news, and her shop is the only way she funds her company to keep it all running so well! I love my SmartHER News travel mug, tank top, and full-zip hoodie, but she also sells tote bags, water bottles, tee shirts, and even created the “2-19 Club” (inspired by her founding date, February 19), which allows you to simply donate if you prefer to do that.

Follow SmartHER News on Instagram @SmartHerNews, check out her website, and order some small business swag at her Online Shop!

Get yours by Christmas and order no later than December 15, 2021!

These are some of my favorites, of course, but I’d love to hear about yours, too! Please comment below with a link to YOUR favorite small business so we can all show our support this holiday season!

Want more gift ideas? Check them all out in my Online Shop!

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Published by quickwhittravel

Welcome to the blog! We do things a little differently around here: no ads, no negativity, and no checked luggage, y'all. My name is Whitney, and Quick Whit Travel Blog is your one-stop shop for all the best travel tips, packing advice, and destination information. Click around or message me on social media @quickwhittravel for more!

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