We say it every year, “I’m going to buy unique handcrafted gifts this Christmas” but the weeks roll on and before you know it, you’re racing through the aisles of a huge supermarket chain store grabbing anything in a pretty box even though you bought smellies for the last 4 years running.
As a small business owner, we are here to give you the inside knowledge of how you can get organised, support hard working crafters, and give thoughtful beautiful gifts this Christmas.
Products: grey carthen studs, burgendy carthen tassel earrings & red carthen pendant
1. Personalised Christmas gifts
Personalised gifts are hugely popular and show your giftee that you really thought about them when buying. But hurried decisions rarely work out for the best;
Rushing may muddle judgment, leading to decisions that don't make sense in the long term.
Be sure to give your crafter plenty of time to ensure the details are right and correct any mistakes.
Your chosen product will likely to in a list of hundreds of orders and will take a lot longer to create than you imagine.
One of the most notable benefits of early shopping is that it allows you enough time to personalise each individual's gifts. You can move on with confidence, knowing that you won't be stuck between two less-than-desirable possibilities until all other options are sold out.
2. Discover unique gifts
Choose to bypass the mass-produced candles and bath sets this year, which will often end up in the back of a cupboard somewhere, instead impress your friends and family with a one-of-a-kind gift with a feel-good business behind it.
Small business owners can often create bespoke pieces just for you, whether that be a candle with the perfect scent, a self-care box filled with your favourite products, you can definitely guarantee no one else will have bought the same.
Unique Welsh gifts from Carla's Cwtch and Moose & Co
3. Take advantage of early bird offers
More of us shop online and with this often comes delivery charges and hidden extras. Though many retailers will offer you free shipping if you spend a certain amount, the later you leave it to order, the less likely you’ll be able to take advantage of this. Lots of small businesses offer fantastic early bird offers to encourage organised buyers to shop early and take the pressure off owners closer to Christmas. So, it’s worth keeping an eye on your favourite handmade businesses, joining their mailing lists and following socials for updates.
4. Avoid shipping delays
We all remember the chaos of postal delays during COVID lock down and last year was just as bad. For small businesses it was an absolute nightmare, tracking deliveries, communicating with disgruntled customers and issuing refunds and discounts left, right and centre.
Wouldn't it be nice to have your items delivered to your doorsteps without any hassle and delays this year?
Please help us out by planning ahead, checking the processing and shipping times on our website and, of course, we will be happy to help you track down those deliveries. After all we are not a call centre, we don’t have a secretary, but we want to help our customers have the best Christmas.
5. That feel-good feeling
How good would it feel to be sat in your cosy home, feet-up and stress-free this Christmas?
Knowing all your gifts are beautifully wrapped and nestled under your tree ready for the big day or hidden in cupboards, up the attic out of sneaky hands’ way! Allow yourself time to spend on the things that really matter to you rather than last-minute shopping trips.
Shopping small certainly gives you that feel-good feeling you just don’t get from shopping in big chains. You know you’re supporting your local businesses who are making more ethical decisions and have their customers’ needs at heart.
By regularly shopping with small businesses, you are also building a relationship with owners that is irreplaceable in a larger shop and funding their business to grow. Your social interactions, whether offline or online, extend further beyond just one customer, allowing for a much more positive and personal shopping experience.
Product: grey carthen boho earrings & ochre carthen collar necklace
Consider visiting local market stalls and events this Christmas
You cannot beat visiting a Christmas market leading up to the big day, if you haven’t been, you’re really missing out! Throw on your cosiest knitted jumpers, scarves, and hats, and enjoy a Christmassy day out.
Carla’s Cwtch has had the pleasure of being a part of many markets and events, and we have learnt very quickly that not only do you get to meet other extremely talented crafters, but you really feel a part of such a beautiful community. All the stallholders are so supportive of each other, we cheer each other on and build wonderful relationships.
Working the market stalls is a massive perk to being in this industry, we get to meet lots of our lovely customers and receive firsthand feedback. However, what not many people talk about is the amount of time and effort that goes into these stalls. The organisation, the heavy lifting, early-morning starts, and the long days. So why not come and show your love and support at a local Christmas market this year? Because after all, it is all for you lovely customers!
This will help you to get a better look at what you’re buying from us crafters instead of looking from behind the screens of your devices, and, another way of saving those pennies - no shipping costs!
You will find us at these fabulous Christmas Markets.
Click the link to find out details
You can find 100’s of wonderful Christmas markets all over the UK. Check out your local area, search for the best UK markets, look on social sites for where you can find your favourite crafters. Put those dates in your diary and plan a fabulous day out.
Not sure what to buy for the lovely ladies in your life? We’ve got you!
A question I have heard Carla ask herself many times when she is brainstorming her ideas and designs is “who are my target audience and what do they want me to create?”
As you know, we are passionate about Wales and being proud to wear Welsh in our fashion choices. Carla wanted to create a line of products suited to a range of tastes but all with a common love for Wales. Maybe she is a Welsh Mam, an ex-pat living abroad, a fashion forward diva or a lover of traditions.
I have had the pleasure of meeting some of Carla’s lovely customers since working for Carla’s Cwtch and it’s so incredible to see that she’s done exactly what she intended to - she’s created something for a range of tastes with a colour palette of essential jewellery, a product for the Welsh blanket fans and accessories to show a love for home – Wales!
Gift Ideas:
So, what do you buy for your loved ones this Christmas? This is where we come in. We have put together some gift ideas and who to gift them to:
Trending ochre
Product: ochre carthen teaset earrings, yellow carthen pendant & Welsh bonnet brooch
Why not treat Mum to this beautiful combination. Our Ochre Carthen teapot earring set, paired with our Carthen pendant and finished off with our traditional Welsh hat brooch.
Pretty in pink!
Our modern twist on the traditional Carthen blanket pattern makes the ideal gift for the younger ladies in your family. Vibrant and eye-catching!
Product: pink carthen circle earrings & pink carthen collar necklace
Traditional daffodils
For the more traditional Grandmothers, we have the matching Daffodil earrings and brooch, married with the gorgeous green Carthen necklace.
Product: daffodil hoops, daffodil brooch & green carthen collar necklace
Or the less traditional but just as beautiful white daffodil
Product: navy & white daffodil earrings
Advantages of gifting our jewellery:
• Lightweight and fashionable.
• No allergenic (our jewellery components are nickel free).
• Small enough to post abroad or add to a gift hamper.
They make the perfect gift for sending a little piece of Wales to the loved ones that may live further away; it won’t cost you a fortune in postage costs and you will have peace of mind that they’ll survive their journey.
We absolutely love hearing the stories of how far our jewellery has travelled - it’s the best feeling!
Collaboration over competition
Thank you for considering to support your local small businesses.
At Carla’s Cwtch we feel it is important to promote collaboration and help other businesses rather than compete for the same customers. After all, there are enough lovely buyers out there to go around and we each bring something unique to the industry.
We have had the pleasure of working with and being mentored by some of the best business owners with years of experience. Plus, we try to use as many small businesses for supplies as we can.
Carla's Cwtch in association with Moose & Co
You will also find our products in shops all over Wales. It is an absolute thrill to work with these fantastic independent stores. Find your nearest stockist on the website and give them your support this Christmas.
Now it’s time to enjoy holiday gatherings and parties stress-free! Get your wrapping done, bake your holiday treats and watch a bunch of Christmas movies with the family.
We hope to see you at the Christmas markets and have a wonderful September.
All my love,
Victoria x
Comments