M. Lloyd, Social LightAffordable Holiday Gifts From Local LA Businesses!
This holiday season is undoubtedly a lean one - fewer get-togethers, fewer traditions with family members & friends, fewer gifts. We know that presents aren’t what makes up the holiday season, but it IS sometimes nice to share your love for one another through something thoughtful.
If you’re anything like me (hey, Malena here!) you can’t help but show someone you care through a gift...I do this even outside of the holidays!
Social Light is a local, small business in Los Angeles, so understanding and seeing the hardships other local businesses are going through, we thought what better way to support our small business friends than to put our hands to a keyboard and let you know who YOU can support this holiday season!
Here are some local LA-based businesses you can support if you’re in need of some last minute, yet affordable gifts!
FOOD & DRINK
A family-owned coffee shop in Burbank brews up some of the most delicious coffee you’ll have ever tasted. They sell whole beans and coffee supplies, and are also selling gift cards!
It’s a specialty hot sauce store. Need we say more?
A family-owned business with the friendliest servers, Tequilas is offering pre-made or make-your-own Margaritas for cheaper than you could get at a liquor store!
Something that could be very helpful to a friend or family member in need...help fill their fridge! At this local produce shop, they carry everything: meats, cheeses, breads, fruits, treats, coffee, and so much more.
Their main product: cookbooks from around the world! Like every perfect boutique, they sell more than just that, but this is definitely the perfect gift spot for the chef in your life!
A women-owned luxurious chocolate shop. While their larger desserts are understandably a bit pricier, you can definitely find some beautifully designed and affordable treats for someone special in your life.
(thanks for the ASMR @letmeeatcake!)
BEAUTY
This black-owned local business sells everything from lip balms, to oils, to hair care and toiletries. It’s your one-stop-shop!
Offering holistic & safe oils, skincare & makeup products, Noto is located in Highland Park & evenhas a refill station so you can reuse your bottles & jars! Sustainability for the win!
Brows, lashes, waxes, and more, you'll be sure to find a beauty-based gift for someone in your life that likes to get a little bougie
A 1950’s themed facial skincare salon. While they’re currently on hiatus due to the new Stay-At-Home orders, you can still purchase
a gift card for when they reopen!
HEALTH & FITNESS
Maybe you want to “shop local” but gift to someone non-local? Julie is local to Los Angeles and developed a fitness app that provides an online community, training, and nutrition plans (soon to come)! There are yearly & monthly plans that both add up to around $100 for the year.
Does someone you know (or do you?) need a life change but isn’t sure exactly what they need or where to start? Lunden Souza is a lifestyle transformation coach that uses fitness as one of her main tools. Her Shop has programs that start at only $17, but if you poke around her site, you’ll also find FREE programs, guides, and so much more!
An LA-based meal prep company that delivers freshly made meals to several locations throughout the city! They also cater to several dietary restrictions & requests.
One of the few gyms still able to operate in LA due to the outdoor space they have! Whether it’s a few private training sessions or a month of group training, you can get a giftcard for someone who’s missing a real gym and the environment.
ART, BOOKS, & CREATIVITY
A local LA art supply store for the creative loved ones in your life...or the ones that took up painting back in March because they were bored.
Perhaps the cutest little art supply store in LA. Not to mention they sell more than just art supplies. From home decor & plants, to books & stationery, to accessories & beauty, you’re bound to find something special here.
For the eclectic art collector in your life, this art gallery features emerging artists from around the world. While prices may be up there, it's very reasonable for your first-ever adult art collection.
Your local comic book store that provides much more than just literature.
Beautiful art prints for the Californian-at-heart!
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
For the funky fashionista in your life, this black-owned boutique may have just what you’re looking for.
A vintage clothing store that carries casual apparel for men & women!
The go-to store for all your 1920s-1970s themed casual and party apparel. Just because you’re staying put for the holidays doesn’t mean you can’t dress up!
Think of this shop as a smaller scale Anthropologie. From clothing & accessories, to home & paper goods, to kids gifts and self-care items, this store carries too much to list so definitely check it out for yourself.
HOME & DECOR (AND PLANTS)
This local LA ceramics artist creates one-of-a-kind mugs, vases, bowls, and more!
Everyone loves candles - so why not buy local?!
You guessed it...it’s a succulent shop! Affordable bouquets and gift boxes for every occasion.
The most adorable little plant shop you’ve ever seen! They have everything from small succulents to jungle-style floor plants.
Currently dubbing themselves “Stay Home Friend,” Mindfulnest has it all. Whether you’re looking to pick up a few unique christmas cards or shop Schitt’s Creek merch (yup, they have it!), this is the perfect store for one-of-a-kind housewares, jewelry, books & journals, artwork, self-care, and SO much more!
Shopping on a budget? Doing a small gift exchange? This boutique has the perfect trinkets, kitchen goods, and home decor for any style and personality.
Even if buying gifts isn’t in the cards (or bank account) this year, there are plenty of ways you can help small businesses! This year, a gift you can give to others for free is spreading the word:
If you’re a customer of a local coffee shop and want to support them in other ways, tell a friend and ask them to skip the Starbucks for a day and try it out.
If you own a business, ask your friends and family to give you the gift of positive remarks & recommendations - verbal or written.
If you know someone who owns a business, write them a glowing review everywhere they’ll allow, purchase something from them, spread the word for them.
Social Light has received about 90% of our business through word of mouth and we’re so grateful for and appreciative to everyone who’s recommended us! We’re living proof that sharing your positive experiences with a business makes a HUGE difference.
Thank you for supporting Social Light throughout our 3 and a half years of business, and we look forward to our continued business growth and service to YOU.
Happy holidays and a wonderful New Year to you ❤️
See you in 2021!
