Your New Jersey Guide to Shopping Local this Holiday Season!

As a small business myself, I really value everyone that makes an effort to shop local. Especially over the holiday season. A lot of small businesses rely on this time of year and after an incredibly difficult year, it’s more important than ever to shop our values and make sure we support the places we know and love!

With all that said, I just want to give a huge THANK YOU to everyone who purchased from and supported Write Pretty for Me this year. It’s true what they say — I do a happy dance with each and every sale!

I know that many of us are trying to shop small this year, so I’ve made it even easier for you to shop local by rounding up a few of my personal favorite small businesses in Hoboken and Jersey City, along with a few that came highly recommended from my Instagram family!

Write Pretty For Me

I can’t do a roundup of my favorite small businesses in New Jersey without including my own small business. Write Pretty for Me is my absolute passion and I feel so grateful for every customer that makes a purchase and helps me do what I love. Right now, my custom Christmas bulbs and ornaments are my pride and joy, and are flying off the shelves!

You can shop my etsy shop here for a variety of Christmas ornaments – all near and dear to my heart – with custom options available or ornaments featuring that Hoboken love we all have in our hearts! These Hoboken Zip Code one’s have been a huge hit this year!

Small Business Weekend Deal!

I know around this time of year everyone gets crazy about Black Friday, but Small Business Saturday is my personal favorite! For those of you looking to get some shopping done this weekend (from November 27-30th), make sure to save this post so you can take advantage of some small business deals just for you! I’ll be doing:

• 15% off of all wine totes, mugs, onesies, wrapping paper (this should be automatically applied, but in case the tech doesn’t do what it should, use code SMALLBIZLOVE)

• Free domestic standard shipping on orders of $50 or more (again, should be automatically applied, but if there are any issues, use code FREESHIP)

• Free local pickup for Hoboken / Jersey City residents with code LOCALPICKUP at checkout (must pick up items from my studio in Hoboken)

Are you a creative who is also running a small business? I know how hard it can be to value your worth and I want to help! Scroll to the end of this post for a special promotion just for you!

Brittany Paige Designs

I’m starting off with a really great shop for all the boss babes in your life! Brittany Paige Designs is having a 20% off sale site-wide from Black Friday to Cyber Monday so make sure to check it out and support her business! You can shop cards (they have some really cute Christmas cards for everyone on your list!) and a wide variety of totes, enamel pins and more goodies. In true 2020 fashion, she also have a couple of different face masks to keep you safe this holiday season.

Love, Amarie

One of Love, Amarie’s signature products is their heirloom clutches — hand-crafted clutches for wedding couples who want to incorporate sentimental pieces (your mother’s wedding dress, for example) into a clutch you can use on your wedding day. Although that’s what they’ve become known for, they also offer personalized gifts and Hoboken ornaments, perfect for all of your holiday gifting! I love the Hoboken wine glasses in their Lifestyle shop!

Schwing Shop

Everything from Schwing Shop is hand-embroidered and made individually. As a calligrapher, you already know how much I love custom and sentimental touches, so it probably isn’t surprising that I love her mission! Right now, I am loving her custom Christmas stockings available on Etsy (I already have two hanging in my apartment!).

Evergreen Summer

Who doesn’t swoon over stunning stationery? If you are looking, Evergreen Summer definitely delivers. They sell cards, candles, notepads, and more. They have stunning holiday cards in their shop right now. For new home owners, you can also order a custom mural for a wall in your home. Now, THAT would make for an incredible gift. On a smaller scale, they also sell art prints for around the home.

Stay Astray Apparel

Stay Astray Apparel sells a mix of art & apparel. One new addition to their website that I am loving is the “In the Wild” collection, where they sell vintage jewelry and other pieces they have collected (“found in the wild”). Such a unique and fun concept! I know we are all trying to live a life that is more sustainable for our planet, and purchasing true vintage items is a way to do just that.

JJ Paperie Co

Well, it looks like scrunchies are having a real moment! And if you are looking to hop on the trend (in a VERY cute way), can I introduce you to JJ Paperie Co?! Even if scrunchies aren’t your style, you can shop for gift tags, cards, wall art, and even offer engraving services. They are another company that adapted quickly in 2020, and have started offering face masks to keep you safe this holiday season.

Hoboken locals can use a promo code HOBOKENLOCAL to waive shipping.

Margo Market

I can’t get enough of the movement toward slow, sustainable, fashion. Margo Market sells apparel, accessories, and home goods that are all hand made and ethically sourced. It’s truly a place you can shop and feel good about what you’re supporting at every moment. Make sure you check this one out — they carry something for everyone on your wish list. From comfortable, high-quality clothing to home decor like candles, stationery, ceramic. They even have a skin care line and luxury bath additions! It’s as close to a “one stop shop” as a small local business can get!

Washington General Store

If you live in Hoboken, there is a very good chance you love Hoboken. I think it’s one of the things that make our square mile city so special. Washington General Store sells candles and home goods (all absolutely lovely), but some of my favorites are the local love gifts! In their local love line, they sell Christmas ornaments, pillows, tea towels, mugs, baby onesies (so cute!), and more.

Plus check out their exclusive Hoboken Holiday postcard, designed by yours truly, available in store early December!

Love Locked

I absolutely love the gorgeous and unique jewelry and home goods you can find at Love Locked. In case you need another reason, everything on sale is ethically sourced, conflict-free, and fair trade. They also have a “Shop Under $100” section on their website, for easy holiday shopping! Getting engaged or looking to propose this holiday season? Their custom wedding rings are absolutely stunning.

The Co Shop

After 2020, I think we could all use (or give the gift of) some mindfully sourced gifts. The Co Shop truly delivers. I love their Coastal Christmas bath bomb for some self care time (pictured above). They offer gifts that help you “live well” like candles, crystals, blankets and even tarot card sets. You’ll just feel good shopping here and supporting their mission.

Shannon Harfosh

I’ve included a few different places to pick up some local art work, but art is always so personal. Another favorite of mine is Shannon Harfosh. If vibrant, acrylic paintings and prints are your style, I think you will agree that her work just makes you feel good. Go get yourself something colorful (as she would say!).

Alexa Martin Designs

If softer, watercolor artwork is your style, make sure to check out Alexa Martin Designs. Her art is absolutely stunning. She sells lots of prints for artwork around your home, but she also sells her watercolor art of coffee mugs, coasters, travels, jewelry dishes and more (all ready to order). Want something specific? She can also be hired for something more custom — whether you want a watercolor portrait or a watercolor picture of your family home/place to remember.

Hometown Hello

For handcrafted gifts with a touch of home, check out one of my favorite Etsy shops – Hometown Hello. They sell a variety of items you can use around the home – from coffee mugs, coasters, magnets, and more home decor (like custom signs and Hoboken inspired prints). Right now, they also have wooden Christmas ornaments for you to enjoy over the holidays!

The Creative’s Pricing Toolkit

Are you a small creative business as well? If so, I am thrilled you found your way here and are making an effort to support small businesses as well! Small businesses have to stick together and build each other up, and one of the things I am constantly asked about is how to figure out pricing your work! If that’s something you are struggling with (especially around the holiday season, or preparing your business for 2021), I am offering my 25% off The Creative’s Pricing Toolkit this Small Business Weekend (from November 27-30, 2020). This is the ultimate pricing resource for creatives that will equip you with the tools, mindset and strategies needed to price your work confidently and quickly!

Thank you for supporting small businesses and shopping local this year!

Every effort made is so appreciated. As always, make sure to connect with me on Instagram so I can get to know you better. I love to connect with everyone that I cross paths with. And if you’ve made it this far, I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU on behalf of myself and all of my small business friends for shopping small and local. I promise, we’re all doing happy dances all month long!