10 Ways to Shop Small This Year
Hello friends,

The holidays are here and that means the fun hustle and bustle of shopping for loved ones has begun. With COVID-19 causing hardships to many small businesses, it’s an important year to consider shopping with local stores, makers and service providers that could use your support. We've got you covered below! Click here for a version of this email with clickable links.

Nationwide Resources:

Buying local doesn’t have to be limited to your immediate community. With the help of the web, you can find small businesses nationwide through a variety of resources. Here are a few to consider:

  • Etsy is full of unique, handmade or vintage items and craft supplies and prides itself on being an American e-commerce website. Download the app or shop directly from your browser.

  • Bookshop.org is a website that lets you buy books from small bookstores nationwide. They believe that bookstores are essential to healthy culture and make it easy for you to contribute to that cause!

  • The Product Boss is a website and community built by two women with one mission: to create a platform and resource for product-based women entrepreneurs to connect and succeed. Their website features a "Small Biz Shopping Directory" full of great gift ideas.

Portland Area Businesses:

  • Hammer and Jacks is an independently owned toy store that believes in the ability that play has to connect families. They carefully curate their collections of toys and offer online shopping through a full toy catalog as well as delivery services.

  • The Saturday Vendor Markets in Old Town happens every Saturday from 12-6pm and offer a blend of vintage and new apparel, artwork, and more from local entrepreneurs. Outdoors and masked, it's a great way to get your gift shopping on without going inside.

  • Buy a Gift Certificate from Organizers Northwest! The gift of organization is such fun to receive. Whether your loved one wants help setting up the pantry of their dreams or creating systems for keep the home organized, we can help! You can buy gift certificates directly on our website and we'll send you a pretty printed version too.

  • Consider buying a photography portrait session for you or a loved one and support a local creative professional. The PDX Small Business Network has provided a list of local professional photographers here, but you can also head to Instagram or Facebook and search hashtags such as #portlandphotographer or #portlandportraits and find some incredible professionals.

  • MadeHere PDX is a storefront and online shopping experience that carries design focused, fashionable products that are made exclusively by artisans in the Portland area.

Additional Resources to Find Local Businesses:




Happy Holidays!
Missy and the Team
503-245-3564
On the Blog
8 Gift Ideas that Don't Cause Clutter
For many, being home all day has revealed how much STUFF we own. I can't tell you how many clients have come to us saying, "I really have no idea where it all came from."

Giving gifts that don’t take up space and cause clutter are some of the very best and most exciting to receive. By giving a gift that is an experience rather than a “thing”, you are giving them a memory and a moment that will last a lifetime. Here are some of our favorites.
Portland Events and Resources
Crafty Wonderland Virtual Market
Support local artists by popping into this virtual marketplace to do your holiday shopping. Each of their featured vendors will be LIVE on their own Instagram for at least 30 minutes and there are plenty of fun things to choose from!

Date: Saturday, December 12th
Time: 11am - 2pm PST
Location: Online
Cost: Free

Oregon Zoo Christmas Lights Drive Through
It wouldn't be the holidays in Portland without a visit to ZooLights, and this year, there's a new way to illuminate the season. A new drive-through experience lets visitors enjoy a dazzling display of 1.5 million lights from their cars.

Date: Tickets are available on a seven day rolling schedule and can be made online.
Time: Reservations begin at 5pm and end at 9pm.
Location: Oregon Zoo in Portland
Cost: $50 per car

Recycling Drop Off Event with James Recycling
James Recycling has an inspiring story. Founded by a 23 year old (James) with Aspergers, his passion and purpose was found through helping the environment by helping others recycle responsibly. His service picks up the recycling that your city recycling centers cannot. He's holding a drop off event in January to pick up the things you need to get rid of.

Date: Saturday, January 9th
Time: 10am - 12:30pm PST
Location: TBD
Cost: $3/grocery bag of sorted recycling (or similar 5 gallon container) and $3/39 gallon garbage bag of Styrofoam

Online Webinar: 2021 Economic Forecast with Economist John Mitchell
This presentation aims to explain the economic trends affecting Oregon and the national economy. Learn about what's in store for 2021 in this engaging online webinar.

Date: Tuesday, December 8th
Time: 10am - 11am PST
Location: Online
Cost: $10

60 Minute Free Online Virtual Yoga Class
Destress with this free online yoga class for beginners taught by instructor Kadisha Aburub.

Date: Saturday, December 19th
Time: 5pm -6pm PST
Location: Online
Cost: Free

This class is also offered on other days throughout the month. Visit the link below to sign up and see a full list of dates.