41 Small Businesses With Unique and Fun Gifts for the Whole Family
Holiday shopping is in full swing! As you make your shopping lists for the 2022 holiday season, consider shopping small where you can. Small businesses make up around 44 percent of the country’s economy, and, due to pandemic impacts and inflation, it’s important to support them now more than ever.
Keep in mind, however, that shipping and item creation may take a little longer with small businesses. For the timely arrival of gifts, it’s better to shop sooner rather than later when shopping small. Plus, many of the small businesses on this list are offering some great Cyber Monday deals today to help you get the biggest bang for your buck!
So, what counts as a small business? Of course, we don’t have all the data on a business’ finances to specifically categorize them as small or not. However, at The Bump we categorize small businesses as ones that are locally run and operated (even if they exist within a larger marketplace) or ones may not yet be a household name.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorites that offer products for pregnancy, kids and parents. Check them out—you may even find a new favorite.
In this article:
Pregnancy can be incredibly uncomfortable at times, but innovative products such as the ones from brands below can really help. Adorable, functional and comfortable maternity clothing? Check.
Mio Skincare
This pregnancy skincare brand was created by four moms, for moms with skincare essentials that take care of your skin without harming your growing baby. All of the brand’s products are made with high quality ingredients and plant-based actives and all of their packaging is recyclable.
Shop Mio Skincare
Aniche
Aniche was launched a little over a year ago by two mom friends who were looking for chic, contemporary clothes that lasted beyond pregnancy. Their clothes offer quality at a price point that doesn’t break the bank.
Shop Aniche
Loyal Hana
This mom-owned business was created by Shelly Suh to give back to expectibe and nursing moms—especially since they give so much to the little people in their lives. The collection includes tons of functional and comfortable maternity garments that can easily transition from pregnancy to motherhood—and they’re so chic you’ll want to wear well after baby arrives.
Shop Loyal Hana
Emilia George
Founded by Elle Wang, Emilia George aims to bridge the gap in the market when it comes to well-made maternity business attire. The best part? Not only are the clothes functional, comfortable and crisply styled, but they’re also made with eco-friendly fabrics. Plus the brand is giving back with a complimentary face mask included with every purchase and donating face masks to daycares around New York City.
Shop Emilia George
Stowaway Collection
Becoming a mom is hard enough without worrying about having to get dressed. Launched in 2016 by a mom-to-be and her mama, Stowaway Collection features maternity pieces that will grow with you and take you from day to night. The best part? The brand supports organizations fighting for equality and everyone’s right to be a parent, such as the ACLU.
Shop Stowaway Collection
There are tons of small businesses out there that make the most adorable outfits to dress baby up in. Below, some of our favorites, including a brand that makes sustainable training paints, a gender-neutral baby brand and brand that works with local artists to tell a story with each product.
Peejamas
This brand makes an environmentally friendly and affordable alternative to disposable diapers and trainers. Not only are the safe for contact with your child’s skin, but they’re also able to maximize the absorption of urine. The brand’s mission is simple: to help you potty-train your child quickly, easily and sustainably.
Shop Peejamas
Tippy Tot Shoes
This Black-owned business focuses on baby shoes that build a strong foundation for healthy feet, with hard bottoms to help provide support as they take their first step and added protection against unsteady ankles.
Shop Tippy Tot Shoes
KaAn’s Designs is a Black-owned brand that focuses on baby clothing for millennial parents and their kids. On their website, you’ll find adorable onesies (including one that says “newbae”) , matching family t-shirts and a brand new holiday collection for the whole family.
Shop KaAn’s Designs
The Spunky Stork
This organic baby clothing brand was founded by a husband and wife who wanted to make safer, non-toxic clothing for kids. Shop for baby, siblings, twins and more with adorable onesies and a new must-have Christmas collection.
Shop The Spunky Stork
Miles and Milan
When founder Shennel Fuller became pregnant, all she wanted were fuss-free, playful, gender-neutral and timeless basics for baby. When she didn’t find what she was looking for, she set out to create her own brand. Miles and Milan offers all of the above—plus their BIG SMILE 3-Pack has earned a spot as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things.
Shop Miles and Milan
Yinibini Baby
Soyini merged her love for art, design and color into Yinibini Baby. This Black-owned brand makes handmade clothing and accessories for babies, all of which use illustrations to tell a story. Bonus: Everything is made from domestically-sourced organic cotton and cotton fabrics.
Shop Yinibini Baby
Cygnet Living
Cygnet living makes beautiful vintage kids’ clothing and accessories. Plus, they also make and personalize some of the same fashions in women’s sizes for the perfect mommy-and-me photo opp.
Shop Cygnet Living
Little Stocking Co.
Based near Portland, Oregon and founded by two best friends, the brand aims to brighten up the closets of kids with uniquely colored knee high socks and cable knit tights.
Shop Little Stocking Co.
Clover Baby and Kids
Founded by mom friends Shannon and Nikki, Clover Baby and Kids offers high-quality essentials that effortlessly transition from naptime to playtime. Each collection is made with custom hand-painted patterns and the brand regularly gives back to support children’s hospitals, Baby2Baby and more.
Shop Clover Baby and Kids
TØY
This earth-friendly baby clothing brand aims to merge the minimalism of Scandinavian design with high quality organic fabrics. The result is timeless, gender-neutral products—all created with 100% organic cotton.
Shop TØY
Maisonette
While the marketplace does carry some bigger names, it also houses several independent boutiques from around the world that create innovative products for kids in terms of clothing, gear and toys, as well as products for the home.
Shop Maisonette
The list of brands that offer baby toys is endless, but the ones below not only offer toys that are beautiful and functional, but also toys that encourage development—all without the use of a screen.
Bloom Owl
Bloom Owl creates personalized wooden name puzzles and piggy banks. In time for Christmas, they’re also offering personalized ornaments. The brand, along with several other small businesses and artists, is available to shop on Etsy.
Shop Bloom Owl
Puzzle Huddle
Matthew Goins created Puzzle Huddle after finding a consistent lack of diversity in commercially-produced puzzles. Since it’s launch the brand has expanded and now produces unique puzzles that focus on diversity and representation, as well as wall decor, t-shirts, blankets and more with the same images.
Shop Puzzle Huddle
Lovevery
This mom-founded brand is all about encouraging brain development through play. The brand offers beautifully-crafted and colorful toys through their play kits subscriptions, which span every age group from newborns up to 36 months.
Shop Lovevery
Acorn Toy Shop
Based in New York City, Acorn Toy Shop offers beautifully-designed, sustainably-made, handcrafted toys from around the globe that allow children to explore and expand their imaginations. The best part? The brand donates a percentage of all sales to national and international organizations that work to provide services for kids.
Shop Acorn Toy Shop
Cuddle + Kind
The brand was founded by parents who wanted to help end childhood hunger. Cuddle + Kind creates gorgeous, hand-knit dolls made from high quality cotton by female artisans in Peru. For each purchase the brand gives 10 meals to kids in need. Since September 2015, the company has helped provide over 13 million meals to kids in need.
Shop Cuddle + Kind
The Dough Project
This brand is female-founded and handmade in New York City. It was started by a preschool teacher who wanted to bring the fun of dough from the classroom to the home, without any of the toxins. The dough is made from all natural and food-great ingredients and colored with plants.
Shop The Dough Project
Tonies
Created by two dads in Germany, Tonies aims to create a way for kids to experience storytelling in the digital age and keep them entertained without the need for a screen. The Toniebox is an immersive experience parents and children can share together. Plus, each tonies characters tells a different story or sings a different song.
Shop Tonies
Young Wild and Friedman
Young Wild and Friedman is a mom-run brand that was founded after her child was diagnosed with a speech disorder and severe anxiety. Upon her doctor’s recommendation, she turned to sensory play to help calm anxiety and encourage language development. Young Wild and Friedman makes the most adorable sensory boxes that provide hours of independent play (perfect for those cold or rainy days) and their mini sets make for the perfect gift.
Kido Chicago
Kido Chicago merges parents and founders Doug’s love for visual art and Keewa’s love for performing art. The brand’s online boutique offers beautiful toys, cards, decor, books and much, much more.
Shop Kido Chicago
Let’s face it, every parent goes through several feeding sets, bibs, teethers—and the list goes on. The next time you’re in the market for some gear, check out one (or more!) of the small businesses below. They’re eco-friendly, innovative and make it a priority to give back.
Busy Baby Mat
Veteran Beth Fynbo was out at lunch with her son, friends and their kids, when she realized that her friends were constantly getting up to fetch toys that had been thrown on the ground. Determined to find a solution that allowed them to make it through a peaceful lunch, she came up with the Busy Baby Mat, a silicone mat that’s travel friendly and can be used for food or toys. Since then, the brand has also expanded to sell teethers and toys.
Shop Busy Baby Mat
Copper Pearl
Started in 2015 by best friends and moms Stephanie and Kristin, Copper Pearl aims to bridge the gap between trendy and modern bibs on the market. While the bibs remain at the core of the brand, it has since expanded to also include apparel, accessories, burp clothes, products for bath time and more.
Shop Copper Pearl
Sweet N Swag
The motto of this brand is simple: do good. Founder Shannon Evanson originally started making bows to help raise money for her friend after her young son passed away, selling them to family and friends. When she found she had leftover bows, at the encouragement of loved ones she decided to sell them on Etsy—and was met with an outpouring of demand. Today, Sweet N Swag sells bows, shoes and more. Plus, they donate shoes to NICUs, homeless shelters and oncology units across the country.
Shop Sweet N Swag
ezpz
Founded by parents who were sick of the clean up time required after each meal, ezpz makes products that encourage less mess or more fun. Each product is focused towards a specific age group and usage. Plus, take 15% off sitewide with code BUMP15.
Shop ezpz
Nested Bean
Nested Bean makes lightly-weighted swaddles, sleep sacks and onesies to help baby (and you) sleep better.
Shop Nested Bean
Coco Moon
Founded by a mom of two based in Hawaii, Coco Moon makes baby blankets and swaddles. The best part? Since 2017, they’ve been able to give back to approximately 30 different organizations across the state.
Shop Coco Moon
The Tot
The Tot is a marketplace that emphasizes safe, quality products for families at every stage of life. They carry products from both big-name brands and family run businesses, ensuring that all products are making a healthy impact on customer’s lives, as well as the environment.
Shop The Tot
Rookie Humans
Gabriela Freire-Anggono founded Rookie Humans to help parents capture the magic of fleeting moments, like watching them sleep in their cribs, with their little ones. The brand creates crib sheets with whimsical designs from talent artists—and each set tells a unique story.
Shop Rookie Humans
Droolees
This eco-friendly educational company specializes in BPA-free infant products, such as teethers, bibs and more. Plus, the company gives back to the community by donating teethers to maternity wards.
Shop Droolees
Moms deserve it all–and these brands couldn’t agree more. From beautiful gift sets from Tubby Todd Bath Co. to Weezie Towels to wrap up in after a well-deserved bath to fine jewelry that celebrates mothers everywhere, there’s something on this list to please all the moms in your life.
Tubby Todd Bath Co.
Andrea Faulkner Williams created Tuddy Todd as a skincare solution for her family’s gentle skin. The brand places a strong emphasis on safe ingredients to encourage good, clean fun. The brand offers skincare sets the whole family can use, as well as gift sets that are perfect for the holidays.
Shop Tubby Todd Bath Co.
Weezie Towels
Weezie Towels offer a line of luxury, personalizable towels and robes to fultill all your “bathleisure” dreams. In 2020, they also launched Lil Weezie, a brand new kids’ collection that brings that same comfort to bathtime.
Shop Weezie Towels
Tiny Tags
Melissa Clayton was in search of the perfect “mommy necklace” when she founded Tiny Tags to honor moms everywhere, every day. The brand creates customizable fine jewelry that has even been recognized by celebrities like Meryl Streep and Hoda Kotb.
Shop Tiny Tags
Dagne Dover
Founded by a diverse team of three women, the brand makes bags (including a diaper bag!) that have organized compartments for everything from your phone to your chapstick. Bonus: They donate a portion of each purchase to the charity of your choice.
Shop Dagne Dover
Shop Sweet Lulu
This online boutique specializes in high-quality, on-trend partyware and gifts from around the globe. Shop anything from party decor, home decor, holiday decor, kids toys and so much more.
Bag and Bougie
This female-founded business creates unique and innovative bags that are both durable and machine washable. Use them when you’re on the go with baby, for everyday errands, work, the gym, travel—pretty much any setting.
Shop Bag and Bougie
Buru
Founder Morgan is a Mom of three and created Buru in an effort to cater to busy Moms, specifically. All of the pieces in her collection shout fun fashion at a price that won’t break the bank. Many are nursing friendly or transition well through stages of pregnancy. Best of all, everything is made in L.A. and almost all of it is machine washable.
Published December 2020
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