The busiest shopping season of the year is fast approaching. After 18 months of enthusiastic online purchases, there’s no suggestion that we’ll change our ways this Christmas - even with eased restrictions on the horizon.

No one is more excited (and maybe a bit nervous) about the festive season than small business owners. They’ve been hit especially hard by the pandemic and the necessary measures put in place to keep people safe. The gifting season marks a major opportunity for many businesses to make sales and get back in the black.

Lady Startup, the education-based community that helps women to put a rocket up their business dreams, has nine ways you can support a small business or side-hustle this Christmas. And some of them won’t even cost you a thing.

1. Batch buy your gifts

Christmas means buying lots of gifts for lots of people so save yourself time - and postage fees - and make a Lady Startup’s day (week? year?) by snapping upmultiplegifts. Matching leggings for your sister and her three kids from Lady Startup Academy graduate Mama Movement? Hard yes.

Yes, the big retailers have made it easy to shop in bulk, with bonuses like super speedy shipping. But if you are a planner (and if you’re reading this article you likely are), you can get sustainable, handmade or original alternatives from a Lady Startup.

2. Purchase a gift card

Support a service business sister. Hairdressers, nail technicians, waxers/laser clinics and skincare salons have all had a rough year. They provide a service so many enjoy but without cash flow, they may not be around once we’re ready for the “new normal”. Consider gifting gift cards to local salons. Who wouldn’t appreciate a pamper session with a professional after a year of home eyebrow tints?

3. Be their cheerleader

Had a good experience with a Lady Startup brand? Leave reviews anywhere and everywhere - social proof is key to startup success. Try searching the business name in Google Reviews and Facebook reviews to get started.

If you have a negative experience, pause for a minute. Was the issue completely out of their control? Or an unintentional error? A request or last minute change that seems reasonable to you might have caused huge complexity for them, resulting in a delay.

Consider whether it would be more effective to give the feedback directly (via DM or email) rather than posting it online. They’ll still learn from the experience but it also gives the business a chance to fix the situation - you might even end up with a complimentary product or service.

4. Buy their digital products

While some small businesses may not open again, others have pivoted to digital to keep going without human contact. Many of these online-based offerings make great gifts. Your Pilates studio might be offering online courses, your favourite cafe might be doing hampers, or your dog groomer might have launched an online pet supplies boutique.