This blog post was made in collaboration with the Etsy Affiliate Program, all opinions expressed in it are our own. Read till the end to learn how to win a $100 Etsy Gift Card.

Update: The giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Bargains to Bounty for winning the $100 Etsy gift card. Thank you all who participated we appreciate your support and thank you to the Etsy Affiliate Program for their generosity.

If you are a regular reader of this blog you know by now that we are advocates of buying handmade and artisan items from independent artists and makers (after all we are artists ourselves), and you also know that Etsy is handmade/small business central... if you didn't know, now you know.

We've been buying at the Etsy marketplace for over a decade now, and there we've discovered amazing artists, great art, unexpected and unique handcrafted and vintage pieces, as well as useful crafts materials, and we've given and been gifted many beautiful, memorable and meaningful gifts from there.

When the nice people from the Etsy Affiliate Program, of which we are members, contacted us to collaborate on a blog post we decided to make, in addition to our regular yearly themed gift guides, this guide dedicated solely to share handcrafted items and/or from independent artists and small businesses from the Etsy marketplace to convince you of the value of buying handmade and small this holiday season.

Besides the fact that marketplaces like Etsy make it easy and convenient for you to have online access to artisans from all over the world, we believe that when you buy handmade and/or from independent artists you gain more than just a gift, artisanal is where love, thoughtfulness, imagination, and creativity converge. In our opinion buying handmade and small is a more valuable option to shopping at big companies because of these 5 reasons:

1- Handmade gifts are better for the environment.

Because they are made by human hands and not by a machine their production utilizes less energy as opposed to mass-produced items and it also produces less waste. Many artisans use eco-friendly materials and packaging, besides it's easier to find products made out of recycled or repurposed materials in the handmade market than at the big stores.

If you buy locally you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, and if you buy through Etsy, know that they offset 100% of carbon emissions from shipping.

2- Artisanal gifts keep the tradition alive.

In the industrialized and automated world in which we live right now, by buying artisanal pieces you are supporting the art and the craft the artists practice, by buying from them you're helping them pass these skills to generations to come and in turn keep the craft, art or tradition alive, and this has an immeasurable cultural value.

3- Handmade gifts are unique.

The fact that they are made by hand guarantees that each item will be different and also that there are fewer of them out there giving them that quality of uniqueness. And since usually, you have contact with the actual person making them there's always the possibility of customization, you can get a gift handcrafted and tailored especially for your loved one (or for yourself) making it a one-of-a-kind gift.

The best gifts are the ones that tell a story and every piece made by hand by artisans who put their heart and soul into their creations have a story to tell.

4- Handmade gifts stand the test of time.

Most handcrafted pieces are made using high-quality and durable materials built to last, the artisans feel pride for their creations and therefore are very conscious of the origin and quality of the materials they use as opposed to the mass-produced and fast fashion products available at big stores.

Artisanal gifts often become keepsakes because they symbolize the feeling of appreciation that the gifter feels for the recipient and the soul and love put into the making of the gift by the artisan is conveyed through the act of giving making the gift more cherished and meaningful.

5- Handmade gifts support communities and the orange economy.

When you buy from artists and small businesses you not only get a warm and fuzzy feeling by knowing that an actual person is doing a happy dance for every item you purchase and that you are helping them support their families or put food on the table, but also you're helping the economy of whole communities and you're contributing to the orange economy. What is the orange economy, do you ask? The IDB defines it as "the set of activities that in an interlocking way allow for ideas to be transformed into cultural goods and services."* It is the sector of the economy that has talent and creativity as its main contributions. 

Supporting the orange economy benefits all of us because it contributes to producing wealth and value, generates jobs and creates social impact, and this is especially important right now when industries increasingly employ fewer people and many jobs are disappearing because of machinery and automatization.

We hope these 5 reasons inspire you to buy small this holiday season and to further inspire you, we want to share this curated selection of gifts that we bought with a US$150.00 gift card that the kind folks at Etsy Affiliate Program generously gifted us, as well as to share some pieces that we own and that we love and cherish. We are sure this gift guide will help you find meaningful and special gifts for your loved ones.



Small Gradient Cement Planter by Kailo Chic.

Harold and Maude Inspired Sunflower Enamel Pin by Justine Gilbuena.


Hamsa Keychain by Idlewild.co.
Otomi Folk Print Luxe Pen by Idlewild.co.


Today I'm Ok Motivational Art Print by Lee Foster Wilson from Bonbi Forest.

Pumpkin Juice Scented Soy Wax Tart by Frostbeard Studio.
Le Cirque des Rêves Scented Soy Wax Tart by Frostbeard Studio.


Bee Necklace With Topaz Honey Drop by LeChaim.

These are some of our favorite possessions that we got on Etsy:


Under This Moon Bracelet in Silver and Silk by Gemagenta.

Moon Dancing Locket Necklace by Polarity.


Wood Moon Suncatcher with Sphere Prism by Artwood Hand Crafted Creations.

Francine and Her Frenchie Art Print by Janet Hill Studio.


Sleepy Moon Celestial Personalised Enamel Pin Badge by Lee Foster Wilson from Bonbi Forest.


Beige Wool Hand Warmers by Gloveshop.

The folks at Etsy Affiliate Program were generous enough to also give us a US$100.00 Etsy gift card to give away to one of you lovely people. To be entered to win it just tell us in the comments which of these gifts would you buy for a loved one or for yourself. We'll choose a random winner on Friday 6 December 2019. (The comments section is located below the Spanish text and the "You might also like" widget)

We know that in the middle of the holiday shopping rush we tend to look for gifts that are easy and convenient instead of special, but we hope that this gift guide along with the rest of our guides inspires you to be more intentional in your gift shopping.


Small Gradient Cement Planter por Kailo Chic.


Harold and Maude Inspired Sunflower Enamel Pin por Justine Gilbuena.


Hamsa Keychain por Idlewild.co.
Otomi Folk Print Luxe Pen por Idlewild.co.


Today I'm Ok Motivational Art Print por Lee Foster Wilson from Bonbi Forest.


Pumpkin Juice Scented Soy Wax Tart por Frostbeard Studio.
Le Cirque des Rêves Scented Soy Wax Tart por Frostbeard Studio.


Bee Necklace With Topaz Honey Drop por LeChaim.

Estas son algunas de nuestras posesiones favoritas obtenidas en Etsy:


Under This Moon Bracelet in Silver and Silk por Gemagenta.


Moon Dancing Locket Necklace por Polarity.


Wood Moon Suncatcher with Sphere Prism por Artwood Hand Crafted Creations.


Francine and Her Frenchie Art Print por Janet Hill Studio.


Sleepy Moon Celestial Personalised Enamel Pin Badge por Lee Foster Wilson from Bonbi Forest.


Beige Wool Hand Warmers por Gloveshop.