Earn aura points by supporting small businesses this Cyber Weekend: Shop these deals at Amazon and Etsy
From a financial standpoint, it feels so good to save a ton of money during Black Friday weekend. Whether it's clothes, your dream headphones, or a boring stockpile of cleaning products and toilet paper, it's valid to take advantage of cheaper stuff in this more-expensive-than-usual economy.
From a moral standpoint, in that same greedy economy, it doesn't feel so good to give your money to big corporations that definitely don't need it. The antidote? Supporting small businesses while you're at it this Black Friday season. So many of them are having major sales, whether it's for Small Business Saturday (which falls on the Saturday right after Black Friday) or throughout all of Cyber Weekend. Whether you peruse the Black Friday deals from small businesses on Amazon or take a scroll through the massive Etsy Cyber Sale, thoughtful spending is something we should all be sure to do this year.
There's no guilting here for treating yourself to a new TV on sale or whatever your version of a creature comfort is — taking advantage of Black Friday deals is an inarguably strategic move (we're quite literally deals hunters by profession). But we'd also like to highlight some awesome small business sales on items that might just have been on your shopping list anyway.
Small business deals at Amazon
Take Off Luggage
Flying Spirit or Frontier sounds like a great idea when paying for the plane tickets until the carry-on drama starts at the gate — and suddenly, you're forking over the money you saved because your backpack is "too big." Take Off Luggage could come to the rescue: These viral suitcases have removable wheels that make the typical overhead suitcase capable of fitting under a seat like a personal item.
Undefined Beauty skincare
The "Our Story" section on Undefined Beauty's website says it all: "We all deserve access to high-quality products that don't cost your firstborn child. Wellness shouldn't be exclusive. Let's democratize it."
If Ulta Black Friday deals still aren't exactly screaming affordable, Undefined Beauty skincare has serious budget-friendly options that don't skimp on cute packaging — or the ingredients that actually work on skin. Shop deals on a Niacinimide gel cleanser, night serums, SPF glow oils, lip tints, and more up to 25% off, each item in the collection now under $20. I'll personally be grabbing the scalp serum.
Sweet Water Decor soy candles
I know from personal experience how hard it is not to buy 10 Yankee candles any time they're on sale (Yankee Candle is literally running a buy two, get three free deal right now). But it's pretty common knowledge nowadays that most mainstream candles use paraffin wax, and that burning paraffin wax releases toxic chemicals into the air that you and your pets shouldn't be breathing. Instead, consider buying a yummy scented candle from a small business like Sweet Water Decor. These hand-poured soy wax candles skip the toxins while still preserving cozy smells.
Etsy Cyber Sale
Etsy's Cyber Week sale has been live since Black Friday, with most Cyber Specials running through Cyber Monday (Dec. 1). This is the ultimate spot to find a unique gift or personalized gift on sale: Shop handmade jewelry, wall art, baby gifts, and more — plus never-ending options for a customized pet gift, which is a guaranteed home run gift for a pet lover on your list.
A few great gift ideas on sale at Etsy:
Custom pet face embroidered sweatshirt by StationeryByZhou — starting at $10.80 (55% off)
Framed hand-painted custom pet portraits by HappinessMakerArt — starting at $10.80 (55% off)
Food and drink-inspired candles, from espresso martinis to baguettes by CandleLume — starting at $17.79 (15% off)
