I know, It's so easy to open the Amazon app on your phone and find pretty much whatever you're looking for, and around the holiday season it's tempting to knock off a whole list of Christmas gifts in one fell swoop, giving all my money to poor, poor Jeff Bezos.

This year, I'm encouraging you (and myself more than ever) to shop small with intention.

I could give you facts and figures about just how much money goes back into the community when you spend your dollars at a small business.

I could tell you that when you make a purchase from a small business, you literally make someone's day, filling them with gratitude that you chose to spend your hard earned money on their jewelry, candles, artwork, etc.

I could tell you that purchasing from small businesses means better products with better customer service.

More than any of that, although those are ALWAYS fantastic reasons to shop small, this year has been the fight of a lifetime for small businesses. Many deemed "non-essential", locked down, scrambled to work on websites, curbside pick up or make shift drive thrus... events cancelled, accounts lost, products and artwork sitting without a way to get it in front of customers. The word I keep hearing from small shop owners is "pivot." Changing course and direction again and again to just keep the business alive til that light at the end of the tunnel: holiday shopping season.

So, for the shops that have struggled for survival, let's be intentional with our shopping lists this year. Let's purpose to support the shops on main street, the little church craft fairs, the Etsy shops and the local boutique or coffee shop you heard about a town over.

I'd love to share a few shops with you, and please leave a link in the comments to a small shop YOU love! Because the next best thing to supporting a shop with your dollar, is supporting through spreading the word about how awesome they are!

Evensong Baby Books creates beautiful gospel-centered baby books to help you on your way to raising your littles to love their savior.

The perfect gifts for the smallest people in your life.

Shop owner, Karina, of Charlotte and Parker, strives to make her shop a reflection of the love that family fills her life with.

Shop her inspired line of apparel and accessories!

Naomi Paper Co. creates paper goods lettered by hand to represent God's Word for what it is: beautiful & true.

Shop a wide variety of products, including arts prints, greeting cards, calendars, planners and more.

From Beth, owner of Weepereas -

"The love of handmade + need to create has always been ever present. As a young adult, I enjoyed making upcycled clothing to sell at music festival markets. Upon entering Motherhood, my desire to create modern children's items while staying sustainable took a fresh, new approach.

In 2008, Weepereas was started : Little things for Little Ones. 

All of my patterns are created by myself, and the fabric designs are from independent designers and printed in North Carolina & New York. The organic velour mocc lining is milled in Pennsylvania. All of the products in my shop are made by myself and one other seamstress out of my studio in Wisconsin. USA made, and proud of it!"

The Daily Grace Co. is a business that has grown larger than the others on my list, but certainly still a great resource for gifts this season.

"We believe that the Bible is true, trustworthy, and timeless. Because of this, we seek to create resources to help women know and love God's Word. We believe that God's Word is about God. It shows us who He is. Who He is changes everything and it changes us."

Here's to 2020, a year to spend our time, money, and even social media habits with purpose and intention!