Buying less, buying well and making thoughtful gifts. Not easy during non festive buying times. Tackling Christmas - well that can blow your conscious consuming waste less mind! Those habits that have been developing all year - we’re going to want to follow through during the festive season, right?

So where to start? There’s a myriad of small business options out there selling thoughtfully designed ethical, sustainable and eco products. 

Here's our mini list of go-to's to get you up and running. Cut the crap out of Christmas by visiting these...

Best for buying from a small business

Willow and the Boys, a Melbourne based children’s brand have branched out this year to gather together dozens of small businesses in their Last Minute Christmas gift guide. Head on over to www.willowandtheboys.com and browse your way through cute kids brands including Loog kids mini-guitars in a range of stunning pop-colours, Rowdin Grace - purveyors of luxury gift boxes packed with sweet treats or delicious body products, and handy everyday products from My Home & Co. 

Best for useful reusables

Because it’s just so thrilling to receive a thing that you’re  going to get so much use from, our one-stop shop for that practical gift is floraandfauna.com.au.  Whether it’s a delicious shampoo bar, a stylish keep cup, or a refillable makeup palette there’s dozens of options for grown-up gifts. 

PS - if Santa is reading this I love  Parker Razors - stylish precise and with “an exquisite chrome plated all brass design and textured handle.” Yes please!

Best for kids

With so much plastic and ditched-post Christmas toys available out there, it's difficult to know where to begin buying for children to lighten the load. That’s why starting with a small business, for us makes sense. littlegatherer.com is a beautifully curated boutique - created by a mum of two young children - that brings together stunning children’s products from around the world including a myriad of wooden toys, truly treasurable fabric dolls and cute crafting items. 

Best for...Gifts from rural communities

We just love the genius Insta page @buyfromthebush. It showcases beautiful things  to buy directly from sellers in Australia’s rural communities that are dealing with drought. We’re obsessed with the enamel cups and jugs from @yonder.traders, relishes and preserves from @thedilltickle and the just stunning hats from @penelopehaddrillhats - a mum of three who lives on a broad range cropping farm near Naradhan, NSW who blocks, shapes and trims her hats by hand. 

Best for experiences

Swapping physical gifts and wrapping in favour of memory making experiences like theatre or concert tickets, memberships to an organisation, or experience days, makes a lot of sense in silly season. Us? We’re gathering a group of mums and daughters together for a horse riding adventure at Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures (glenworth.com.au). For more inspiration for experience giving visit www.adrenaline.com.au for everything from kayaking to swimming with sharks.

Still stuck? Visit www.theother-bag.com for ocean friendly totes and crossbody bags made from recycled and regenerated waste.