A few Decembers ago, I challenged myself: With every Christmas present I bought, I’d try to maximize the number of people it helped. It was so fun, I’ve kept the challenge going!
Here’s my thought process:
Anytime I buy a present, it (hopefully!) benefits the recipient in some way.
If I buy from a small business, I help the gift recipient and the small business owner.
Some small businesses, though, go above and beyond in supporting the local community.
If I buy from those businesses, the gift benefits the recipient, and the small business owner, and the people and programs that business supports.
That’s a powerful gift!
LILIANA’S
GIFT IDEA: Liliana’s has gift certificates and pay-it-forward options.
SERRV INTERNATIONAL
My heart is a little broken that Serrv’s State Street store is closing. But you can still shop online to support this local business, which started in 1949 and sells items from artisans and farmers around the world using fair-trade principles.
GIFT IDEA: Home decor, kitchen and garden items, clothing and accessories, chocolates, spices, teas … so many choices!
JUST BAKERY
This training program teaches commercial-kitchen baking skills, hospitality and restaurant management, etc., to help people who have significant barriers to employment, such as homelessness or lack of education. That’s a beautiful mission in and of itself. But the kicker for everyone else is that these fabulous bakers then sell the tasty treats they’re learning to make. All proceeds are then reinvested into the program.
GIFT IDEA: Cookies, muffins, breads, pies, cheesecakes … YUM. During the pandemic, orders are available for delivery in Dane County for $5, or for curbside pick up on Saturday mornings.
SHORT STACK EATERY
They also partner with the Just Bakery program. And they are committed to making their restaurant a welcoming place for all people. As one example: Short Stack managers participate in the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development’s Justified Anger course that teaches Black history in order to expand White allyship.
GIFT IDEA: I’ve been eyeing up Short Stack’s new Pie Of The Month subscription. (You can choose the number of months you want to subscribe.) But as noted above, I’ve also bought their gift cards for teacher gifts.
OTHER OPTIONS: I asked moms groups on Facebook to suggest options. Several people listed the businesses mentioned above. But they also said these businesses are exceptional at community service — McFarland House Cafe, Karben4 Brewing, the Willy Street Co-op, Salvatore’s Tomato Pies, Eddie’s Alehouse and Eatery, Beans n Cream and Yola’s Cafe.
If you know of other small businesses that do great things for our community, please add them to the comments here and on social media.
