Christmas Gift Guide: 2020 Edition
By: Mallory Johnson
The Christmas season is upon us and this means Christmas shopping is in full swing. So I have come up with a COVID-19 safe gift guide. This means I will be discussing online stores and promoting small businesses. Many local shops are offering curbside pick-up or delivery services as an option this year, so make sure you call them or check out their websites.
The first website that I recommend shopping on is Etsy. On Etsy, you can support a variety of small businesses. You can get personalized gifts for loved ones, cute hoodies, jewelry, and tree ornaments among many other items. Etsy also has pretty great prices, which I love. I have ordered from Etsy before, and I love it. A similar website is Depop.
The next website that I recommend ordering from is Redbubble. On Redbubble, you can find designs from artists and order them to be put on hoodies, shirts, tote bags, device cases, tapestries, and more. I have ordered from Redbubble multiple times before and their customer service is incredible. Satisfaction is guaranteed.
These next ideas are not a small business but are still COVID-19 safe gift ideas: a streaming and listening service subscription. Streaming services include Netflix, Disney+, HBO, Apple TV, Apple Music, and Spotify. Your loved ones will greatly appreciate all the movies and television shows they will be able to watch and all the music they can listen to in the coming year.
My next idea is masks which are now mandatory in all indoor public places in Saskatchewan (where I am) and Manitoba. There are many local people making masks and you check them out on your local buy&sell sites.
There are also some singers/bands that are doing online livestream concerts. I have watched a Niall Horan concert and a Metallica concert, and am planning on watching a Louis Tomlinson concert on December 12th. A great gift idea for loved ones who miss going to concerts is tickets to shows like these. Every artist sells their tickets differently, so have an eye out on social media for announcements. I noticed The Barenaked Ladies have one coming up on December 18th at 9 pm. These concert tickets range from $10-$20.
Shopping is different this year, but always think about the local economy and the small artists. They need our business if we want them to be around next year, which of course we do.