Ethical Gift Guide: Small, Values-Led Alternatives to Big Box Stores

Written By Avril Williams

Note: This post includes affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This season, I have made the commitment to not shop at big box stores but couldn’t find a shop small holiday guide, or list of big box alternatives. This page is designed to help you navigate holiday shopping while keeping that commitment.

Below you will find makers, artists, indie shops, markets, and services that keep money in our communities.

You will also find creative ways to give gifts that do not require a large budget or a delivery truck. Share this with a friend and let’s make this holiday feel good.

Shopping Ethically This Holiday Season (& Beyond!)

  • Press pause on ANY & ALL purchases through December 5 in honor of the nationwide economic blackout!

  • Avoid shopping at any big box stores or chains from now through the holidays (No Walmart, Target, Amazon, Starbucks, McDonalds, etc.)

  • Choose only indie shops, local markets, makers and community businesses and use CASH whenever possible.

  • Prioritize buying from BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and womxn owned businesses.

  • Amplify: share a post, write a review, or gift a referral of small businesses.

  • Normalize gifting secondhand, handmade, or experience-based gifts.

Ways to Shop Small (quick ideas)

  • Direct from artists: studio sales, markets,personal websites

  • Gift cards to local restaurants, cafés, yoga studios, salons, or makers

  • Experiences: local classes, workshops, museum passes, skating, show tickets

  • Services: housecleaning, pet sitting, snow shoveling, tech help, lesson packages, personal training

  • Secondhand and vintage: thrift shops, antique booths, used bookstores, Facebook marketplaces

  • Local subscriptions: CSA shares, flower subscriptions, bakery boxes

  • Donations in someone’s honor to a local nonprofit

  • Handmade DIY gifts: bath salts, spice mixes, cookie kits, framed prints

Every brand below centers fair pay, repairability, artisan work, community give-back or is small and local. Many are BIPOC-owned or B Corp certified. Choose what fits your values, your budget, and your timeline.

Amazon Online Marketplace Replacements

  • Shop Red Bag — Online marketplace highlighting independent brands and small businesses.

  • Little Blue Cart — Small-business shopping portal that makes it easy to find and buy from indie sellers.

  • A Wear Market — Curated marketplace for non toxic, holistic wellness and home goods, featuring small brands.

  • Shop the Hood and Black Nile — Online marketplaces to shop Black-owned businesses

Books and Audiobooks

  • Bookshop.org – Buy new books online while supporting your local indie bookstore. You can see some of my favorite children’s books to gift here.

  • Libro.fm – Similarly, Libro.fm sells audiobooks that route your purchase to the local bookstore you choose.

Toys and Kids

  • Green Toys Toys made from recycled plastic with a focus on ethical production.

  • Sweet May Co — Trendy clothes for kids and babies based in Portland, ME

  • Our Shelves — Children’s book subscription with a focus on diversity.

  • The Linnea Company — Handmade in Maine custom dolls

  • Mimi Hali — Felt beginner sewing kits made right in Westbrook, ME

  • Elseware Unplug — Formerly eco-kids, earth friendly art supplies for kids (and now adults too!)

Techy Stuff

  • Framework – Repairable, upgradable laptops built to end disposability.

  • Nimble – (B Corp) Chargers and cases with plastic-free packaging and free e-waste recycling. Plus get $10 off your first order if you use this link.

  • Back Market – Refurbished tech that cuts carbon and e-waste compared to buying new.

Wearable Gifts

  • Patagonia – (B Corp) – While a large company, there are too many great things to say about this company, including their 1% for the Planet program, a commitment to the rejection of modern slavery, an ownership structure dedicated to the environment and a benefits plan for all employees, including part-time, to name a few.

  • Girlfriend Collective – Activewear from recycled materials with inclusive sizing.

  • Graphik Wear — Order custom screenprinting and embroidered items from a local small business in South Portland, ME

  • Sundew Sewing Co. — Handmade 5 panel hats

  • Mad Patti Hat Co. — Custom and ready to wear handmade hats

Beauty and Wellness

  • BLK + GRN – Marketplace for non-toxic products by Black artisans and makers.

  • Fresh Pickins— Local skin, hair and body care, plus teas and tinctures

Home Goods

  • Ten Thousand Villages – Nonprofit fair trade shop supporting global artisans in under-resourced communities.

  • GOODEE (Black-owned, B Corp) – Curated home goods vetted for social and environmental impact.

  • Cory B Ceramics — A dear friend selling beautiful wood-fired pottery

  • Underdog Candles — 5% of profit goes to LGBTQ+ rights. Custom candles & classes also available | IG: @underdogcandles | Portland, ME

  • Flea For All – curated vintage items and antiques (if you live in Southern Maine)

  • Softset Ceramics — Handmade ceramics for someone who likes a minimal, modern, clean design

Food Gifts

  • La Nef Chocolate – Maine chocolate bar company focused on fair trade for farmers, environmentally conscious packaging and artists’ work featured on their wrappers.

Art & Prints

  • Artist & Craftsman — Local art supply store| IG: @artistandcraftsman | Portland, ME

  • Yellena james — Obsessed with her art| IG: @artistandcraftsman | Portland, ME

  • Avril Williams Handmade — Custom home and pet portraits, prints and lunar calendars. | IG: @avrilwilliamshandmade | Portland, ME

Local (Portland, ME) Business Lists

Other Ways to Resist Corporations

Review your favorite shops, reshare their posts, tag a friend, leave a tip where you can, join a local drive, or volunteer. Visit my 13 Ways to Build Community in Your Neighborhood post

Avril Williams
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