SHOP FROM THESE 9 FEMALE-LED RETAILERS THIS CHRISTMAS

November 17, 2020

It’s that time of year again when we all begin to seek out gifts to spoil one another with. Unless you’re a keener and have already completed your holiday shopping (this is not me at all!), you’re just beginning your gift hunt and are looking for ideas of what to buy and how you can buy them.

Look no further. I’ve created a list for you of where to shop! And the best part, you don’t need to leave your house. All of the businesses I’ve included have online options for shopping for their must-have products.

SHOP SMALL FROM NEW BRUNSWICK RETAILERS

This year I am trying my best to support small businesses that I love, especially female-led businesses. It’s been my belief for years that small businesses (and female-founded businesses) are the future of our economy. I have no facts or statistics to support this belief, it’s just a gut feeling. Women have been, for centuries, silently creating and building businesses to meet the needs of their families and communities. When times are hard and money is short, the inventiveness and ambitiousness of women shine brightly.

New Brunswick has some incredible, ambitious lady-bosses creating and selling must-have products this year. And to make it easier for you to know about them and find them, I’ve gone ahead and compiled a list for you!

Some of the businesses I’ve included in this list were launched just this year by remarkable women who were forced to pivot when COVID-19 turned things upside down. My own newest venture, Marmalade Shop, was created when my wedding photography business halted due to restrictions on travel and gatherings. Other businesses on this list have stood the test of time and give other female-led entrepreneurs something to aspire to.

Have fun, happy shopping, and I hope that this year’s gift-giving blesses you with as much joy and magic as each recipient of your thoughtfulness is sure to experience.

SHOP ONLINE FROM THESE 9 FEMALE-LED RETAILERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

This is by no means an extensive list – there are so many businesses I could have included. I’ve kept the list concise, diverse and mostly personal – I’ve either already purchased products from these incredible women-led businesses, am acquainted with them or am lucky enough to call them friends!

And, being fully transparent – I’ve included my own product businesses in this list!

Loran Olivia

Loran Olivia’s “minimalist” scrunchies are a petite size, using less fabric than a traditional scrunchie making them perfect for thin hair and half-up styles as they are less bulky. Even though they are smaller in size, they are still fantastic for gals with thick hair as the size of their elastic allows a secure hold! Their styles are typically neutral colors and few patterns, perfect for creating a timeless wardrobe capsule. Loran Olivia’s scrunchies are available for purchase online at www.loranolivia.com and at a select number of retailers in New Brunswick including Hanson Road Floral Co. in Fredericton, Juniper in Saint John, Sequoia in Moncton and Spree Lifestyle Boutique in St. Stephen.

Marmalade Shop

Marmalade is an online boutique featuring fun and elegant designer fashion accessories for women who know what they like and love using accessories to show off their unique personalities. Our products are colourful, sometimes bold, casually elegant, and wonderfully functional. Each item is conceptualized and designed in New Brunswick. Shop our Canadian-made accessory bags, tote bags, and notebooks online at www.originalmarmalade.com

Fundy Soap -Company

Shop natural, artisanal, and small-batch beauty products and soy holiday candles. All products are low waste and environmentally friendly. All products are handmade in the Charlotte Coastal Region of New Brunswick. Fundy Soap products are available online at www.fundysoapco.ca as well as at Fundy Market www.fundymarket.ca. [images by Michelle Stoddart (left) and Hillary Hooper (right)].

The Little NB Box

A unique gift box company selling exclusively New Brunswick-made products from artisans, makers, and creators. Established in 2017 by boss babe Ingrid Munroe, the NB Box has quickly become the go-to for anyone looking to send a thoughtful box of New Brunswick love and cheer to family and friends across Canada (and around the world). Choose from their collection of carefully curated gift sets or shop from over one hundred New Brunswick made products to curate your own box. Shop the NB online at www.nbbox.ca

Garden by the Sea (NB) 100% Natural Skincare & Teas

100% natural skincare and delicious teas. Their natural body care products include soaps, bath salts, body creams, and butters, and the best bath bombs! When they say natural they mean natural! Their small-batch skincare products are free from parabens, dyes, perfumes, synthetic fragrances, or other harmful and toxic ingredients. For scent and therapeutic properties, they use only pure therapeutic grade essential oils. Visit their store in St. Andrews or shop online at www.gardenbytheseanb.com

Twig & Ivory

Twig & Ivory polymer clay earrings are handmade right here in New Brunswick. Because of the handmade nature, each pair is unique making each set one of a kind! To purchase Twig & Ivory earrings, visit the online shop www.twigandivorydesigns.ca. Earrings are “dropped” and/or restocked every Sunday at 9pm (Atlantic Time) and they sell out FAST. You can also shop Twig & Ivory earrings at Spree Lifestyle Boutique in St. Stephen.

The Leather House

A high-end clothing boutique in St. Andrews carrying top-quality clothing and accessories for women and men. This shop is a family-run boutique by mom Vicki and daughter Katy, and it’s been a staple in St. Andrews since 1969 since Vicki’s parents first opened the shop. Visit The Leather House in St. Andrews or shop online at www.theleatherhouse.ca

McGuire Chocolates

McGuire Chocolate is a bean-to-bar chocolate maker with a focus on preparing a simple and high-quality product from the inside out. It is owned and operated by a wife and husband team! All the chocolate is made on the premise of their shop in St. Andrews where they also make the most scrumptious baked creations featuring their single-origin chocolate. Visit their shop on Water Street in St. Andrews or order the goods online at www.mcguirechocolate.com.

Fine Art Print Posters by Shannon-May

Original photographs by Shannon-May (that’s me!), including my most loved photo “Winter on Water Street.” These are must-have art prints for any art lover. Each poster is printed with thick museum-grade paper using acid-free archival inks. Shop my small but diverse collection of must-have art prints online at www.shannonmayphotography.com

I hope this list helps you as you seek out the perfect gifts to give to your family and friends this year. And, above all else, I hope that this Christmas Season brings enough joy and magic to outshine the collective hardships that this past year has brought.