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Small Business Gift Guide

I love supporting small businesses whenever I can. As a small business owner for the last 10 years, I know how much work goes into making things run on a daily basis. It is never easy to run your own business and we wear a lot of hats working all parts of the business to make everything run smoothly. Late nights, early mornings, and long weekends are common. The last couple of years has been hard on so many especially small businesses.

When it comes to holiday shopping this year, I hope you will consider supporting the brands below or someone in your own neighborhood. If funds are low, consider dropping off a cup of coffee, gift card, or baked goods to your local favorites to let them know you are thinking of them this holiday season.

collage of Small Business Gift Guide brands

Small Business Gift Guide

POSH Chicago

You know I love POSH so much and I always send people here when they need a gift. It is a magical little shop in the heart of downtown Chicago. There are days when I don’t need anything but I will pop in just for a mood boost and a look around. The shop is filled with antiques from Paris, books, teas from Mariage FrĆØres, and kids items. You are bound to find a gift for any Francophile in your life. They have a site and they will ship to you if you can’t make it to them. They also have a variety of Christmas ornaments and decorative items to transform your home for the holidays.

Margaux Paperie

I had the opportunity to work on a special project with Maggie earlier this year. She couldn’t have been sweeter. Maggie is talented and professional and went above and beyond to make sure my project turned out perfectly.

Madame de la Maison

This is where I bought my blue dishes over a year ago which I use daily! Ajiri regularly shops the Brocants (French flea markets) in Paris to find items to add to her site. She ships to the US, I would just make sure to get your orders in ASAP for Christmas delivery. I love her champagne coupes, serving trays, and teacups. The site gets updated every time she finds new items. If you sign up for her newsletter you will be the first to discover new items. Some of the best items move really fast, so don’t wait too long if you find something you love I would grab it. You have my permission to gift yourself something from her collection this holiday season.

Madame de la Maison from Small Business Gift Guide

Bon AppƩtit Box

I have received a few of these boxes over the years and they are so fun! They are filled with products I know and love and some new to me to try and share with friends. They have a variety of boxes available for shipping to your favorite Francophile friends. The prices range from $40-$200 depending on the box. You can even gift a subscription box of two or four. This is also a great idea if you are going to a friend’s house who is hosting for the holidays as something to send before or after. The Noel box is adorable and I love the French Breakfast box.

Bon AppƩtit Box

Victoria’s Stories

My friend Victoria who I was in Paris with earlier this year runs a beautiful print shop. She is based in London and has the ability to travel to a lot of places in Europe. I get a lot of requests for London prints and I would highly recommend checking out her Etsy shop.

Rebecca Green Designs

When I asked for reader recommendations for small businesses this reader wrote in her own adorable shop. I love wrapping paper and gift cards for the holiday and if you are planning an upcoming wedding I am crushing on her invitations!

Rebecca Green Designs gift wrapping paper

La Cuisine Paris

I have been doing classes here since 2013 and recommend a market class or cooking class on things to do in Paris. You can gift a class to a family member or friend going to Paris the next year I have really enjoyed the croissant class and macaron class. I always learn something new when attending a class at La Cuisine. You can do a class solo and meet new friends or do a class as a couple, or with a group of people.

la cuisine cooking class small business guide

Capri Michelangelo

Holly and Gianluca live in Capri and I met them a few years ago while dining solo in their restaurant. They make the most amazing olive oil they sent to me years ago and now they sell and ship it worldwide. I have gifted it to friends and family over the last year and a half to help support them while Capri was shut down. It is still one of my favorite items to gift as it tastes amazing and it supports my friends. I had the opportunity to visit them in Capri this Summer for the most amazing meal in their garden. Every dish was out of this world good and made with fresh ingredients picked from the garden I was sitting in the middle of.

When ordering their olive oil, you will get a few options from their varieties. I love the original, lemon, and basil the best. I have a supply in my cabinets so I never run out. You can discover their cooking classes here. They do virtual and in-person classes.

plate of food

Friends of Shakespeare and Company

For the book lover in your life. This is a great way to support Shakespeare and Company from anywhere in the world. Memberships start at just 45 euros and it can be a gift to yourself or someone else. They also offer products for sale if you want to order something such as a tote bag or book from Paris. Make sure to ask for the classic stamp on the inside.

Friends of Shakespeare and Compan

Everyday Parisian Print Shop

I wanted to add myself in as well as some of you don’t know that I also run a Print Shop. This is the best way to support the blog and the valuable content I provide all year long. I do very little sponsored content and I don’t put ads on the blog as a way to keep it clean and the focus is on the content. The calendar is a great gift for a Francophile friend.

The Illustrated Life

I have been a customer of The Illustrated Life for a while. I purchased some notecards and wrapping paper and love the quality. Lydia is so creative and works so hard to provide an assortment of products to her shop. I don’t know how she does it! The Holiday Shop is fantastic with so many holiday wrapping papers for under the tree and gift ideas.

SomMailier

It’s a great gift for the wine lover and someone who wants to support small French wineries. You get a shipment of French wines delivered to your door. Each package comes with notes on the specific wine along with pairing ideas. The C’est La Vie option is $99 and includes an option of red, white, or mixed. This can be sent ahead to someone’s house before you arrive for the holidays or a surprise for the Francophile wine fan.

SomMailier Small Business Gift Guide

Studio Sensibilite

Shana reached out to me on Instagram a few weeks ago and I was so happy she did. I love the designs of her beautiful scarves and notecards. She is so talented and I think her items would make a great gift for anyone not just for the holidays but year-round. I am thinking of Mother’s Day too! The designs are so feminine and have beautiful colors on her silk scarves. I mentioned after Italy that silk scarves were going to be a big trend for the coming year. This would be a great opportunity to buy one from a small business owner based in France.

Studio Sensibilite Small Business Gift Guide

The Paris Market

The Paris Market is located in Savannah, Georgia. It has been on my radar for years as so many people have told me about it. It is a must-visit spot that will transport you to France. Shop vintage items, cookbooks, and French pantry items either in person or online. They have a market cafƩ to enjoy coffee and sweet French treats to take a break from shopping. You can order some of these items online as well such as their coffee beans and sweets. I would be happy with anything they offer as a gift this holiday. It is a great Francophile gift destination.

French Wink

A French Online Grocery Store. I love a trip to a French grocery when I am in Paris and bringing a few things home in my suitcase. French Wink provides you with the resources and all your French favorites delivered right to your door. They are able to source all those hard-to-find items that you miss from your time in France. They also provide adorable gifts from little ones to adults.

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