Since starting Canadian+Handmade with Jenn this past spring, I’ve discovered so many incredible artists and crafters, that I’ve decided to challenge myself.
This holiday season, I will endeavour to shop solely from Canadian handmade crafters and artists. I will definitely be making some purchases from some of the fantastic vendors found here on C+H, but I’m also planning to attend as many handmade industry events as I can this fall… Make It Edmonton and the One of a Kind Show in Vancouver, for example, as well as our local events in my small city and in Edmonton. Part of taking this stand is to support our fabulous small businesses and the creative talent in our fair nation, but it’s also about being a conscious consumer and really paying attention to what we bring into our home. I know that my family could stand to do quite a bit better in that area, and this is one way to keep us all thinking about where are money goes and the impact of that.
The “rules” that I’ll be following:
1. Buy handmade, and Canadian if at all possible.
2. One exception: books, which may be purchased from an independent retailer (no Chapters or Amazon!) since I just can’t imagine a Christmas without new books for my girls!
3. Gift certificates are okay, as long as they are for an “experience” gift – ie. a round of golf, tennis lessons, spa day, a flight across the Rockies! www.trythat.ca is a fun site with lots of choices for Canadians.
4. Make some of the gifts myself (I do have a few crafty skills I can put to use!)
This means no dollar store stocking stuffers, no Calico Critters or Disney movies. I’m going to keep track of what I buy and who made it, and will report back here after all my family and friends have opened their gifts. I’m working hard to convince my husband to join me and will be sending him Etsy and Cargoh links regularly :) I’d just really like to see what a Christmas without “Made in Taiwan” stickers looks like.
If you’d like to join me in this challenge, let me know in the comments below and we’ll compare notes after the holidays. Of course, you can make your own exceptions (I’m sure there are 13 year olds out there who would run away from home if they didn’t get the new iPad they’re dying for, or the latest Justin Bieber CD!), but the goal is to be as Handmade as possible. I’ll admit that I started shopping in earnest on the weekend, and I can’t wait to get creative for the “hard-to-buy-for” folks on our list.
Here’s to a Handmade Holiday!
~Sarah
I love your challenge and have decided to adopt it myself :)
Viva the Handmade Holidays!!
YAY, Corinne! Feel free to comment on this post with any progress or stumbling blocks, and we’ll work together :)
What a fantastic idea! I have already begun my Christmas shopping…and so far everything has been handmade purchases on Etsy…or handmade myself. I’m hoping to keep it up as we draw nearer to the holidays. There are so many talented crafters out there! A great way to give something unique to your friends and family.
Fantastic, Amanda!
We are in! Obviously!
Sign me up! I’ve been telling family and friends that they’ll be getting only handmade or independent artisan gifts this year. I’m sure I’ll be giving a lot of my own product, and I’m directing people to ArtFire & Cargoh as well.
I’m also going to be picking out some gifts from our local Ten Thousand Villages shop. I figure I can help artisans around the world make a living, as well as the ones at home.
I will be passing this post on to my family and friends, too. Thanks :)
Great idea re: Ten Thousand Villages, Stacey! Thanks for passing it on, too :) Cheers to handmade!
What a great idea Sarah. I too will “try” to shop Canadian (always do)…but I am also one of those who might be very disappointed if there is not an I-pad in my Christmas stocking!!!! I can hardly wait for all the Christmas Craft Sales that will soon be occuring in and around Ottawa. Keep up the good work!
I also try to buy more local and handmade each year, and also make more presents. It is disappointing though that some people seem to prefer mass made junk. :(
Ever since my wife started making jewelry that’s been the gift she has given to her friends. I did buy a handmade gift for my 12 year old son for this Christmas. That is something I never though I would do.
1= Buy handmade, and Canadian if at all possible.
I serve my Country so i buy Canadian Handmade
Wishing you and all Happy Hollidays, Great Health, Joy, Love and Happiness
Sincerely, Sincerement, Helene Bedard (French Fan) Gatineau, Québec Canada
lagwain@hotmail.com
819-439-1131
A+ :)xo
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I think this is great!! I have attended craft fairs over the last several years, and always make an effort to buy the majority of my gifts and stocking stuffers handmade, but to do ALL handmade would be amazing! There is some seriously talented artists out there, can’t wait to try it too!
Thanks, Lindsey! It was a great challenge, and we had a wonderful holiday! Stick around, and we’ll have something fun for next year, too :)