Celebrating Independent Retailer Month
The holiday season is here, and CDC Small Business Finance wants to help you find the perfect goodies for everyone on your list. That's why we're celebrating our treasured small business borrowers in our annual Holiday Gift Guide.
From tools for a new hobby to a gift for a new baby and everything in between, each one of the products in the 2023 Holiday Gift Guide are carefully selected to spotlight small business owners who are dedicated to keeping local communities strong.
And it’s not just a seasonal thing.
In creating equitable, inclusive jobs in sustainable manufacturing, our partners are providing high-quality, low-impact products that are perfect for socially-conscious shoppers all year round.
Whether you’re looking to shop local or only buy zero-waste and recycled goods, below you’ll find something for everyone on your list.
Here’s to a joyful holiday season and a peaceful, prosperous new year.
Mightly makes sustainable kids’ clothes that support families around the world. With certified organic cotton sourced from farmer-owned nonprofits, you can be sure your kids’ clothing is comfortable, durable, and Fair Trade Certified! Mightly even has lightly-loved second-hand options to suit every budget this holiday season.
Try the 3/4 sleeve girls Flower Child Twirl Dress for $31.95 less 30% on holiday favorites, no code needed, available at mightly.com.
Luxury meets sustainability with Madame Lemy’s aluminum-free deodorants and dry shampoos.
Thanks to celebrity makeup artist and Madame Lemy founder Holly Eve, there’s no need to sweat gift giving this holiday season. That’s because all Madame Lemy products come in re-fillable, non-plastic packaging — perfect for the zero waste women on your gift list. Explore nontoxic products that offer vegan, cruelty-free formulas in four floral and citrus scents safe for your skin and the planet.
Explore their products ranging from $22 – $68, available at madamelemy.com.
From boardroom to airport lounge to the theatre, Tayion Collection dresses the renaissance man for every season.
Along with his passion for next-level fashion, designer and CEO Montee Holland walks the talk for social good, volunteering his time at high schools and securing scholarship funds for creative black kids.
Tayion Collection exemplifies veteran-owned and black-owned small business excellence, and champions diversity in fashion.
Give the gift of exquisite fashion with the Taiyon Collection, available at macys.com.
Not every bike ride is the Tour de France.
Forget too-tight aerodynamic fabrics; casual cyclists will feel much more comfortable in Ocean and San’s signature All Day shirts. Made for all body types and sizes, these cycling shirts are spun from a breathable blend that outperforms other “performance” fabrics.
All Ocean and San cycling gear is made in Los Angeles as a way of helping support local communities and sustainable manufacturing.
Relax in the signature All Day Shirt — New Roads Edition, $68, available at oceanandsan.com.
Vaila Shoes are engineered for the larger foot structure, designed with modern fashion trends in mind, and made for women who handle business and beyond. Vaila Shoes is a modern dress shoe brand for women with extended shoe sizes from 9 to 14. The company aims to provide women of forgotten sizes with access to dress shoe options that they desire and deserve. Vaila utilizes the trends of today to create a seasonal dress shoe line designed for the workplace and after hours. Seasonal dress shoes include: pumps, slingbacks, sandals, flats, and boots up to 4′ tall. Help her put her best — most gorgeous — foot forward, every time this season when you purchase any 2 Shoes for a $150 bundle, now through December 25.
Available at vailashoes.com or macys.com.
Timeless, beautiful, and sustainable, Platinum1911 have specially-curated estate jewelry to suit every budget. And, because buying estate jewelry cuts down on shipping emissions and helps support local craftspeople, our repurposed, recycled, heirloom-quality pieces make the perfect gift for the eco-conscious on your holiday list.
Treat a loved you (or yourself!) to 14k YG Italian Cartier Panthere Style Diamond Watch, $5,500, available at platinum1911.com.
Designed in-house and never drop-shipped, MANSSION (“Man on a Mission”) provides luxury men’s jewelry at affordable prices.
Seeking to fill the gap between knockoff products and those costing thousands of dollars, MANSSION imports high-quality metals and stones – without passing the costs off to our customers.
Don’t fit in—stand out with jewelry made from natural gemstones, pure sterling silver, and real gold.
By cutting out the middlemen, MANSSION is cutting back on their emissions and streamlining the manufacturing process.
For that special man on a mission in your life, we recommend the Brooklyn bracelet, $74, available at manssion.com.
This holiday season, give the gift of nature.
Tansy’s plant boutique and nature-inspired home goods bring color and relaxation into the home — all year round. And if you’re really looking to delight that special person on your list, you simply must take a look at the wide range of unique events and workshops we have on offer.
There’s no better gift than supporting small businesses that offer products designed to help protect nature like the Tansy collection. Available at shoptansy.com.
Bikeshop, cafe, and hub Luft Los Angeles seeks to go beyond retail to offer unique community experiences and programming you won’t find anywhere else. Build a custom bike or swing by to grab a cup of coffee, attend an event or be inspired by an art show. This friendly, inclusive store has something for everyone, even if you’ve never ridden a bike before.
Now selling BlackHeart and Cervelo bikes in store from $1,499, available at luftlosangeles.com.
When it comes to shopping for the surfer in your life, Daydream Surf Shop knows that finding that perfect vibe doesn’t just happen out on a board.
Grab a coffee in the cafe, shop the apparel selection, take a spin through home goods, then browse the board selection and surf gear. It’s all here, and it’s all good vibes only.
Surf into 2024 and visit daydreamsurfshop.com.
Mom of four Meagan Pa designed The Original All Purpose Baby Carrier to make baby-wearing as comfortable as possible. The goal? Keep baby cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and best of all, waterproof – for whatever life throws at you. (We love that the carrier’s antimicrobial pockets even prevent mold!)
It’s never too early to start thinking about sustainability and supporting local businesses. Splash out on the Neptune Baby Carrier, $210, available at amphibababy.com.
Our sustainable clothing for kids with sensitive skin is designed by chemist Tatiana Galushkina to ensure every fiber is made with love and thoughtfully engineered to alleviate irritation from allergies, eczema, and other chemical sensitivities.
Environmentally responsible fashion that protects your kids and the planet, Coco Cotton believes in ethical sourcing and is one of the only fashion brands to have all four sustainability certifications, including GOTS, EKOCERT, OEKO-TEX, and SEDEX.
Get ready for spring with matching sets for boys and girls, available on amazon.com.
Did you know that for every dollar you spend at a small business, an average of $0.67 stays in that community? So by shopping small with the companies listed above, you are ultimately helping communities succeed.
Thank you for doing your part. We wish you and your loved ones a safe holiday season.
Looking for more inspiration? Please see more CDC Holiday Gift Guides from past years: