Shop What's NOT on a Cargo Ship

Here at BostonYPA we prefer to shop and support local businesses. If there’s anyone happy about shipping delays, it would be the writers on our team who celebrate our members and Boston’s small businesses.

Editor’s note: Thursday is the day for gratitude, so rather than being annoyed at big box retailers who started their Black Friday sales early, we’re releasing some of our Small Business Saturday post early. Delete the emails (you’ll get 300 more) and stroll over to a neighbor you haven’t met to support their business.

Here are our picks for how you can support the local economy - faces you’ve seen at events, new entrepreneurs, and local businesses making an impact.

Credit: @oakrichcandleco

Oak Rich Candle Co

Hand poured soy candles made right in Jamaica Plain! If you’ve seen Eva’s candles at SoWa, you’ve noticed the rich scents and meticulous hand engraving. Every aspect has been thought out - soy candles avoid the harmful ingredients you don’t want in the air your breathe. Candles are carefully hand poured which means they burn evenly and completely. If you’re shopping for a gift, the dough bowl candles with hidden messages inside will be treasured long after the candle scent fade.

Follow on Instagram to learn about popups or Shop on Etsy

Photo Credit: @trill.fit

TRILLFIT

Born in Mission Hill, TRILLFIT believes that fitness should be fun and inclusive. Entrepreneur’s see a problem, and develop a business strategy that fixes it. For Heather White, it was the lack of black owned gyms and workout programs in Boston. On a mission to change the face of boutique fitness classes, TRILLFIT provides increased access to their signature hip hop fueled workout and invests in the training of 20 instructors annually.

A monthly digital membership costs less than a class at many of Boston’s gyms, and a studio membership is less than your PSL budget.

If gifting fitness classes may not be taken well, pre-order the print that says it all.

Credit: @cloverfoodlab

Clover Food Lab’s Meal Boxes

If you’re looking to take the prep work out of your meals, eat a better variety, and reduce the time it takes to get a meal on your table, Clover Food Lab’s Meal Boxes will save the day. If you’re someone who lives alone or with just your plus 1, you’ll also create less food waste - unlike the grocery store, you’ll receive just the amount you need to assemble your meal.

Clover isn’t just a local company, they are supplied by local farmers and adjust their menu seasonally so we’re eating fresh. We’ve hypothesized that avocados aren’t included in their taco subscription box because they aren’t grown in New England. Yes, there’s a taco subscription box.

Clover always offers a variety to choose from - from year round favorites, seasonal boxes featuring what the farm down the road has harvested, and holiday boxes that provide a full feast for 2-10 people. There is still time to order the Hanukkah Box, and details for their Christmas box will be released soon.

Photo Credit: @its.fornow

For Now

In Boston’s Seaport, a retail incubator comes to life where you can see and touch brands as they test the Boston market. The shop is filled with small businesses making it easy to support an emerging entrepreneur. While not all of the items in the shop were brought to life in Boston, their website curates a page dedicated to items created in our neighborhoods.

The Seaport is a great area to stroll - enjoy Snowport and the local eateries - and stop in to learn more about who made the goods you’re looking at.

If you’re making your list and checking it twice, you’ll cross many gifts off when you stop in.

Photo Credit: @bostonwinery

Boston Winery

Wine that’s made right here in Boston, featuring grapes from around the world. Visit the Boston Winery to enjoy a tasting, or pick up some of your favorite varietals made right here. Tastings include 5 wines of your choice and there is also a seasonal wine club with bottles hand selected by the winemakers when the wine is at it’s best. Want to learn more about wine making? There’s even a winemakers club .

Go for a date night tasting and leave with some holiday shopping (and winter stock up) completed. Visit the Boston Winery.