Supporting Local Businesses This Christmas

Imagine a couple of scenarios. Firstly, a shopping mall three Saturdays before Christmas. The stress is almost tangible as you jostle with the crowds to reach a long queue at the till. Piped music blares out the festive songs you have already been hearing for a month. Central heating is blown out through regularly placed vents and garish lights and decorations assault your senses in every shop you enter. The cafes are hot and overcrowded so by the time you get home, you’re thirsty, tired and somewhat overwrought. Your bank account is considerably dented, and you wonder if your purchases will really bring the joy you had intended.

Next, turn your imagination to a local Christmas craft and food fair. A towering Christmas tree, sparkling with lights, adorns the town square and underneath it the Salvation Army brass band are playing age-old carols. You join other shoppers in throwing some cash into their collection, knowing it will be going towards feeding those without permanent homes this winter. You slowly wander around the different stalls, chatting to some of the sellers you know from regular markets. It is cold, and the wind bites at your face and fingers. Time for some sustenance. You have a choice of locally produced, delicious treats to eat and a steaming mug of fairly traded coffee. As you restart your shopping, you enjoy browsing the gorgeous and individually crafted products as well as choosing some perfect gifts. There is a hot brazier out of which rises the sweet fragrance of roasting chestnuts, so you grab a bagful to eat on your way home. As you head off, you feel tired but elated and inspired. It’s been a fun outing; you’ve brought some gifts which you know will be enjoyed and you’ve put your pounds into the local economy. 

Which one of these sounds more appealing? We may be biased, but the second one wins hands down over here at Craft Insurance. Not only is the shopping experience much more enjoyable and enriching in itself, but a gift from an independent producer means so much more than one bought from a large chain, and in addition, it will contribute directly to the local economy. 

If you are a newly fledged crafter and are wondering where to sell handmade products thisChristmas and into next year, here are a few ideas. You might still be able to squeeze into a small Christmas fair organised by a local group with the purpose of fundraising. It could be a school, Scout group, a church or any other community-focused group. In these instances, table prices are generally very reasonable, and you know your money is going to a good cause. It’s worth finding out the age range/average budget of clientele as this will direct your product range. Often the event will attract families with young children, so pocket money purchases and other lower priced items will sell well. 

Another location to add to your list of where to sell handmade products would be a Farmers’ Market. These are often bustling and buzzing with shoppers, intentional about buying good food fresh from source and directly supporting their local farmers. Many markets have a few stalls reserved for other local producers, including crafters. In the run up to Christmas they are especially convivial affairs, often with live music and plenty of festive cheer. Customers know that buying in this way will ensure their hard-earned cash is ploughed straight back into the local economy, thus helping small businesses to keep going, keep providing employment and keep producing high quality, locally made wares to be enjoyed.

A third venue to consider when you’re looking for where to sell handmade products is in small, local, independent stores. Buying some shelf space is likely to cost you more than a table at a local fair or market, but if footfall is good, it could be worth the investment. The advantage is that your products are available all year round, and not just on certain days or during specific seasons. Furthermore, selling is not quite so weather dependent!

Buying local is gaining traction and that’s not just because it is a better shopping experience. A locally made gift means so much more than a mass-produced one. Each item is totally unique and tells a story. Each is a testament to its creator’s talent and hard work and is often a reflection of local culture and heritage. 

Buying locally made gifts this Christmas will, more often than not, mean you can purchase with a clear conscience. Most small producers have much better environmental credentials than large companies, sourcing raw materials locally or if from further afield, ethically. They will have lower carbon footprints within both their manufacture and marketing and will often use recycled products or even upcycle whole items.  As we have said before, the money goes right back into the local economy, boosting small businesses, encouraging local artisans to flourish and keeping traditional crafting skills alive.

In an age when many of the foundations we have historically put our trust in feel somewhat unstable, there is something very appealing about rooting ourselves in the richness of our regional heritage and traditions; skills and customs which have been passed on from one generation to the next and have withstood many upheavals and storms.

So, this year let’s celebrate the host of crafters who are among our nation’s dependable independents. Let’s both create and give gifts which are unique, well made and come with a story behind them. Let’s support and help build strong local communities and networks by putting our pounds directly into the local economy. Let’s choose shopping experiences which are enjoyable and uplifting and give gifts which are thoughtful, creative and support our local artisans. Merry Christmas to the wonderful network of gifted crafters across Britain, our dependable independents!