Why It's Important to Shop Small This Black Friday and Holiday Season
As we approach the Black Friday and holiday shopping seasons, many of us are gearing up for big sales and tempting discounts. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of massive promotions, but before you dive into the frenzy of giant corporations and mass-produced goods, it’s worth taking a moment to consider the power of shopping small—especially when you’re choosing brands like Ilisah.
This holiday season, we’re inviting you to make a conscious decision: instead of supporting the big-box retailers that have become synonymous with Black Friday, why not use this opportunity to shop small, shop local, and shop with purpose? Here’s why choosing small businesses like Ilisah during the holidays is not only good for the economy, but also great for the planet, the people who craft the products, and the community at large.
1. Support Artisans and Local Communities
When you shop with Ilisah, you’re directly supporting the livelihoods of artisans in Kenya—many of whom are women from underserved communities. Our artisans are not factory workers; they are tailors who pour their hearts into each item they make. These artisans rely on fair wages to support their families and uplift their communities. By purchasing products like the Mara Crossbody Bag, our Cotton Tea Towels, and Wooden Holiday Ornaments, you’re providing them with the income and dignity they deserve.
During the holiday season, when consumer spending is at its peak, your choice to shop small makes a tangible difference. Instead of contributing to corporate profits that may not benefit local communities, your purchase goes directly to artisans in Kenya, empowering them to thrive and build better futures for themselves.
2. Keep Money in the Local Economy
When you support small businesses like Ilisah, the money you spend tends to stay within the local economy, circulating in ways that benefit families, communities, and workers. Large corporations, on the other hand, often funnel profits away from local economies, further contributing to wealth inequality.
In Kenya, where so many communities are affected by poverty, supporting local businesses is a direct way to create lasting economic impact. This holiday season, you have the opportunity to spend your money in a way that strengthens the economic fabric of your own community, while also supporting women tailors in Kenya and beyond.
3. Sustainable Gifts with a Purpose
The holiday season is all about giving—and what better way to give than with a gift that has a positive impact? When you shop small, you’re often supporting businesses that prioritize sustainable materials and ethical production practices. Ilisah is a perfect example of this, with products made from eco-friendly materials like vegan leather, cotton, and water hyacinth. Our Tawi fanny pack is not only stylish and practical, but it’s also made with materials that are kind to the environment, allowing you to give a gift that aligns with your values.
In a world that’s increasingly concerned about environmental issues, shopping small allows you to make mindful choices about the products you buy. Instead of contributing to the mass-production, overconsumption cycle of big retailers, you can choose products that are created with care, sustainability, and a lower carbon footprint.
4. Fight Against Fast Fashion
Black Friday and the holiday shopping season are often dominated by the fast-fashion industry—a sector known for its exploitative labor practices, wasteful production methods, and significant environmental impact. By shopping small, you’re saying no to fast fashion and choosing items that are made with care, integrity, and ethical practices.
Ilisah is proudly disrupting the fashion industry with our handmade products that focus on fair wages, sustainable materials, and ethical production processes. When you buy a bag or our handcrafted Tea Towels, you’re making a conscious decision to opt for quality over quantity, and purpose over profit. You’re supporting a brand that is committed to creating a fashion landscape that values people, planet, and purpose—rather than fast, disposable trends.
5. Reduce Your Environmental Footprint
The holidays are a time for giving and celebrating, but they are also a time when waste is at its highest. From wrapping paper to plastic packaging and throwaway holiday décor, the environmental impact of consumerism is undeniable. Shopping small helps to reduce your environmental footprint, as small businesses often have more transparent, sustainable practices in place compared to larger corporations.
At Ilisah, we focus on eco-friendly materials like cotton, vegan leather, and sustainable wood to ensure that our products are as gentle on the planet as they are on the people who make them. Our products, such as the Eco-Friendly Cards and Wooden Holiday Ornaments, are designed with the planet in mind, allowing you to gift something meaningful and earth-friendly.
Choosing to shop small this Black Friday and holiday season helps reduce the demand for mass production, packaging waste, and the overconsumption of resources. It’s a way to align your shopping habits with your values, ensuring that your holiday gifts aren’t contributing to unnecessary waste or environmental harm.
6. More Meaningful, Thoughtful Gifts
In the age of fast fashion and disposable goods, it’s easy to buy something just for the sake of checking off a list. However, the best gifts are often the ones that show real thought, care, and intentionality. When you shop small, you are more likely to find unique, handcrafted items that are much more meaningful than generic, mass-produced products.
Consider gifting one of our Cotton Tea Towels with beautiful bird and animal embroidery, or a Mara Crossbody Bag made with vegan leather and canvas. Each of these items has been thoughtfully designed and handcrafted with attention to detail. When you give one of our products, you’re not just giving a beautiful item—you’re giving a piece of someone’s story, their craftsmanship, and their hard work. It’s a gift that’s as meaningful as it is beautiful.
7. Support Fair Wages and Ethical Labor Practices
When you shop small, especially from ethical businesses like Ilisah, you are supporting fair wages and ethical labor practices. This is especially important during the holiday season, when the pressure to buy becomes overwhelming. Big-box retailers often exploit cheap labor and undervalue workers, contributing to global inequality.
By choosing to shop with us, you’re ensuring that the artisans behind our products receive fair pay, benefits, and the opportunity to grow and thrive. You’re also voting for transparency and integrity in the way products are made. Our goal is to provide dignified work and break the cycle of poverty, and when you shop with us, you’re directly contributing to that mission.
8. Make a Difference in the World
Ultimately, shopping small this holiday season is about making a difference in the world. It’s about putting your money where your values are, and choosing to support businesses that are committed to creating positive social, environmental, and economic change. By purchasing products from Ilisah, you are helping us support artisans in Kenya, empower women, promote sustainability, and break the cycle of poverty.
This Black Friday and holiday season, you have the opportunity to make a real impact with every gift you give. When you choose small, you’re not just giving a present—you’re giving hope, opportunity, and a brighter future.
As the holiday season approaches, consider shopping small and supporting businesses that align with your values. By choosing to shop at Ilisah, you’re supporting artisans in Kenya, promoting sustainability, and helping to break the cycle of poverty. This Black Friday, let’s make a commitment to do better—by choosing quality, ethics, and purpose over mass production and cheap consumerism.
Shop small this season, and be part of a movement that makes the world a better place for everyone. Together, we can make a big impact by supporting small businesses and empowering communities. Let’s make this holiday season one that’s truly meaningful!
