How to do Christmas without supporting our corporate overlords
Instead of buying Jeff Bezos a new helicopter for his dinghy we have a few alternative companies where the employees aren’t forced to wear diapers.
1. Books: Bookshop.org instead of Amazon
Bookshop.org is an online bookstore built specifically to support independent booksellers. Every purchase sends money to indie bookshops. You can pick a specific local store to support, or let it distribute to the pool. Same books, same convenience, completely different destination for your money.
2. Gifts: Uncommon Goods instead of Amazon
Uncommon Goods is a certified B Corp selling genuinely interesting things from independent makers and designers. Constellation maps, handmade ceramics, personalized gifts that actually mean something. They donate $1 from every purchase to a nonprofit partner and pay their employees more than double the federal minimum wage. It’s the place you go when you want to give someone something they’ll remember.
3. Cards: Postable instead of Shutterfly
Postable works with a curated collection of the best independent stationery designers in the country and not only are their cards (much) cuter but they also print, address and mail them for you at no additional charge. Win win.
Browse Christmas cards at Postable
4. Food gifts: Goldbelly instead of Harry & David
Goldbelly ships food from the actual best local restaurants and bakeries in America. Small places with real stories. Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor. Russ & Daughters in New York. Franklin Barbecue in Austin. The person receiving it gets something they genuinely could not find anywhere else, from people who genuinely care about what they make.
5. Toys: Fat Brain Toys instead of Amazon
Fat Brain Toys has been one of the most beloved independent toy stores in America since 2003. They specialize in genuinely clever educational and creative toys you won’t find at Target or in an Amazon search. Curated by people who actually know about child development, not an algorithm optimizing for Prime delivery. Ship nationwide and the selection is genuinely great.
6. Experiences: Airbnb Experiences, Masterclass or ClassPass instead of an Amazon gift card
A cooking class, a wine tasting, a pottery workshop, a gym membership. Buy it online, send it digitally, done. Experiences are becoming more valued than things and people remember them forever. And the recipient gets to spend time doing something they love rather than scrolling through a website looking for something to spend a gift card on.
The honest caveat
Amazon is convenient and cheap but it is often at the expense of the sellers on its platform, the workers in its warehouses, and basically every local business in the country.
We’re all gonna use Amazon sometimes but every time you don’t, an angel gets its wings. And that angel is you and the wings are the sense of pride you feel knowing that you’ve supported a small business.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best alternatives to Amazon for Christmas shopping?
The best alternatives to Amazon for Christmas shopping are Uncommon Goods for unique gifts from independent makers, Bookshop.org for books that send money directly to indie bookstores, Goldbelly for food gifts from beloved local restaurants, Fat Brain Toys for kids gifts, and Etsy for handmade and personalized items. For Christmas cards, Postable works with independent designers and handles the printing, addressing, and mailing for you.
Is there an alternative to Shutterfly for Christmas cards?
Yes. Postable works with independent artists to offer thousands of incredible card designs, and even handles the addressing and mailing for you. Their pricing is also transparent and all-inclusive with no hidden upcharges.
What is Bookshop.org and is it better than Amazon for books?
Bookshop.org is an online bookstore that routes a portion of every sale to independent bookstores. You can choose a specific local store to support, or let it distribute across their network of indie bookseller partners. The prices are comparable to Amazon and the books are identical. The only difference is where the money goes.
Is Goldbelly worth it for Christmas food gifts?
Yes. Goldbelly ships food from the best independent restaurants and bakeries in America — places like Zingerman’s Deli, Russ & Daughters, and Franklin Barbecue. Recipients get something genuinely unique that they could not find locally, from real small businesses that care about what they make. It is a far more interesting gift than a standard food basket.
Is Uncommon Goods ethical?
Yes. Uncommon Goods is a certified B Corporation, which means it meets rigorous standards for social and environmental performance. They donate $1 from every purchase to a nonprofit partner, use eco-friendly packaging, and pay their employees more than double the federal minimum wage. Most products come from independent makers and designers.
Why should I avoid Amazon for Christmas shopping?
Amazon is convenient and cheap but the cost is often borne by the sellers on its platform, the workers in its warehouses, and independent businesses across the country. Every dollar spent elsewhere at Christmas — when purchase volumes are highest — is a more effective vote for a different kind of economy than at any other time of year.
Postable works with independent artists across the country. Beautiful cards, printed on recycled paper, mailed directly to everyone on your list. postable.com/cards/holidays/christmas
