Buying Things From My Followers' Small Businesses!

[@KatPadmore]

I struggle with Etsy nowadays as its so full of dropshippers and mass produced crap masquerading as independent creations. This is such a lovely idea and I've got some new businesses to bookmark for special occasions!

[@morehannah]

yes I agree! I do sometimes struggle to figure out what is legit a small business/independent artist or not!

[@bathers21]

Hey, i am the owner of Retro Bloom 😊 So glad you love the candles and thank you so much again for purchasing! With the candle care, its all about getting the most out of your candle! If you burn for less than 3 hours on the first burn, the wax wont melt to the edge of the tin meaning you dont burn the entire candle and therefore wont get as strong a scent throw (and it wont last as long!) Burning for over 4 hours can cause the wick to burn lower than the melted wax which then can cause relighting issues! However saying this, i have tested them burning for 12 hours plus and havent had any issues, but its a common problem with candles so is worth noting! 3-4 hours is the perfect burn time to get strong scent throws but also retaining enough wax a fragrance for the candle to last 50ish hours! There is a lot of science to it, so I hope that makes sense! 😊

[@morehannah]

that does make sense - thank you!! and thanks for making some gorg candles!

[@BriggieMcN]

In my family, each couple buys themself a present and wraps it up. Then on Christmas Day they give it to another couple to guess what is in it. The other couple then unwrap it and the couple who bought it explains why they wanted it. We all go home with the gift we bought ourselves but we’re still able to unwrap something, have a fun guessing game AND everyone is happy with their gift ie no waste!

[@everythingbylau]

This whole video is such a kind gesture to your followers! Personally I'm especially interested in any independent EU shops because unfortunately it is becoming more and more difficult to buy UK products from the EU (and vice versa I presume?). So if anyone has tips, let me know! :)

[@morehannah]

yeah definitely much harder for small businesses/customers!! I often filter by location on Etsy and also this time of year there's loads of local christmas markets with loads of small businesses!!

[@peppieluna]

Hi! I'm French and live in Slovenia so I know quite a few local artists, crafters, makers, let me know if you're looking for anything in particular and maybe I can make a few recommendations :D

[@hanzib31]

Re: candle care, its to ensure an even burn! If you burn it incorrectly, it "tunnels" (it burns down in the shape that had originally melted, rather than the whole width of the candle burning). Trimming the wick helps avoid a massive, smokey flame too!

[@Abbi-qg1tc]

Oh my gosh I'm so excited to see Original Jigsaw on here!!! It's my best friend and her brother's business and they are just absolute gems and such beautiful puzzles 💛💛💛

[@relizabethfox]

I put nice postcards in frames and add them to my gallery wall. Tiny and cheap pieces of art!!

[@morehannah]

love!

[@RomySews]

This is such a great idea, I’ll often buy a postcard print if bigger versions are a bit too expensive for me but I want to support them and own something pretty. Also a great way to remember places I’ve been!

[@izzyjane8073]

The 3-4 hour first burn of the candles is because it means they will burn evenly instead of just burning down the middle and leaving you with a ring of wax around the edges. I hope this is helpful ☺️ x

[@katielouise210]

amazing ideas, thank you for sharing these wonderful creations hannah!! i've done most of my shopping for this year now but will definitely save these for future birthdays/christmases

[@EmmaStevie22]

Please can you make this into a series?! It's so wholesome and great to support small businesses and share the love 💕

[@CorinneDemyanovich]

I love all of these small businesses. People are so creative!

[@catherinepattersonmcelroy8336]

I LOVE this idea! Giving back to the small business followers by giving them attention AND people get ideas for gifts. I would love to see more of this ❤️❤️

[@silverfox9648]

Last year i made a big batch of granola and filled it into different jars and gifted it to all my family members, and for my friends I made chili and garlic oil myself and each one got a small bottle of it - that way i only have to spend one evening preparing all the food but have lots of presents for different people! And this year I‘m crocheting keychains for each member of my family, just of something they like or relate to, like their favorite flower, animal etc - and always quite simple ones that i can easily do in under an hour

[@lianamaciovan57]

I’ve done predominantly handmade gifts for Christmas these past few years, and it’s definitely whittled down the list of people I make the gifts for. This year I’m only doing 2 or 3 and I’m so happy

[@sierramor]

I think were doing a similar game with friendmas, giftwise. With family we often pull names so everyone buys a gift, with a set budget, for just one person. Reduces waste and decreases the risk of social pressure to spend more on gifts!

[@morehannah]

sounds like secret santa!! this is a bit different where you're not buying for someone specific and the handing out of presents becomes a weird chaotic game in itself!

[@JenTheEllis1]

Such a wholesome video!

[@lornatw]

This may have just completed my birthday and holiday gifting! I was getting very stuck with a small budget trying to find meaningful made things that I wouldn't necessarily make myself so thankyou!!

[@michelleheegaard]

14:28 well now I need chcocolate 😂😂

[@mollyhoyer3356]

will never not be proud to be a subscriber and patron of yours! so wholesome and lovely and anti-consumerist while still having fun and supporting small businesses. love the mindset and approach you bring to everything you do!

[@notlikethebook]

one of our traditions is we each pull a name and make a handmade gift for that person! its a fun way to think outside the box of what to get them and how to make it!

[@yosoyyo13]

i love love love the personarios

[@JuMixBoox]

Hi, Hannah! I saw your story asking for these and I'm excited about the cool businesses you shared. I might actually get something from one of them as a gift for my mum. I have my own small business, I just couldn't join because it is a Christmas tree farm and we unfortunately do not ship, even less so to the UK. I'm still proud of it though. Anyways, I hope everyone who buys from these companies enjoys what they got and has a fantastic holiday season!

[@julypatchouli9719]

I entered the knitting/crocheting/sewing phase, when I was 10 😊 it's never too early

[@emmaskellington6214]

I would love to see a list of all the other businesses that were shared with you, gotta support more small businesses these days 💪

[@Heeezil]

I suggested a White Elephant (maybe other names for the way you're doing it) style gift giving amongst my family this year but alas we've plumped for a regular Secret Santa with wishlists, which is feeling a little flat? I like that it spreads out the responsibility of gift buying, however feels a bit impersonal amongst family. My family is small, three adult couples and two kids, so I was also keen to gameshow it: Each adult buys 4 gifts (if we cover the kids too) with total value up to £50, they all go into a pile, (some might be crap, some might be good, depending how you split the £50), each couple brings a game or a quiz and as each person gets knocked out they choose a gift or maybe winners choose first. Three rounds, three gifts each!

[@RomySews]

Some gorgeous ideas! I don’t buy that many presents, but I don’t have a big family and tons of close friends. I buy or make for my niece and nephew as they’re little but not for their parents anymore. My nephew is big on drawing and makes up his own characters so I make them out of felt for him, and my niece is a big reader and likes a craft kit so I might check out those felt kits for her! And I normally try to catch hints from my mum and friends so I know what to buy, but I’m not afraid of just asking them if they want or need anything so they don’t end up with tat they don’t want. I also like baking cakes and making bread so I often gift those

[@Februarlig]

The thing you and your family is doing with gifts this year is a very common dice game in Denmark at social gatherings at christmas involving eating lots of christmas food (called julefrokost = christmas lunch) or in schools on the last day before the christmas break. The game is called pakkeleg = parcelgame. I always try to get a small but heavy parcel hoping it will be chocolate.

[@alissa6380]

So go glad to see you doing a sewing kit! Literally just a few days ago I finally went back and watched your Artist's Way videos (I didn't watch them at the time because I didn't want to be spoiled on the book as I was doing it as well 😂), and I really wanted to ask how you've been getting on with artist's dates, whether you've kept that practice up like you intended to -- but it seems I got my answer! Big embroidery flashbacks for me personally haha Lovely to see you enjoying yourself ❤

[@OrsolyaSzlopp]

I usually make a huge portion of jem and I gift it to our friends in cute jars I collect. With the family we generally do not give gifts, we have and agreement that instead we'll cook/bake together and have a nice chat. But this year is different, Im pregnant so their gift will be news of new grandkids. 🤗 I loved this video, need to check what similar options do we have in Hungary.

[@Fayesaville]

I think the 3/4 hour first burn for candles is so it burns evenly rather than tunnelling

[@tigg652]

this was so sweet!

[@emilyboulter5978]

My coworker’s son is OBSESSED with car keys so they bought him replacement car keys. They said it they were cheaper than toy keys and he loves them.

[@16ilovevampires]

Those brownies look devine. 😭

[@RebelwheelsNYCShow]

LOOOOOOOOOOOVE this idea

[@Ecesu]

Love this idea ❤

[@sophsunflowers]

A couple I would recommend: Made by Nelly - handmade ruffle and silk phone straps made in Brighton, SO gorgeous Kinda Co - vegan cheeses handmade in the UK, by far the best vegan cheeses I've tried and great for a vegan friend or xmas cheese board :)

[@emmabarnes609]

hi

[@cariiinen]

Nice

[@robertlawsonjr.2501]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@silverfox9648]

Beyond the shelf should do an illustration for count of monte cristo😂❤️

[@morehannah]

YES PLEASE

[@jennibuxton9821]

Out of curiosity, because they are your followers. If you didn't like a product, would you still put it in the video and say or leave it out and avoid talking about it?

[@fishfish7985]

My family do not care but I am trying to do presents without buying stuff so either charatity shops for charity's I actually support or making stuff

[@Charlotte-hv6ll]

Leaving a comment for the algorithm

[@colineleroux2873]

My big family (30ish people) do a similar game for Christmas, except each person opens their gift when it's their turn, and then can decide whether or not to steal someone else's that they prefer. It makes for huge chaos and family strategies with the persons who get to choose at the end ❤😂

[@polanito7467]

I think it is a great idea that you ask your followers for their and their friends small business 🥰🫶❤️