I get it. You want to support all the creative businesses you stumble upon. I do too. Financial support is truly the best way to show a small business you care about them. I wish my budget matched the generosity of my heart. Sadly, it doesn’t, but there are ways I can still help support these endeavors.

Share & promote! How many items have you bought, books read, or made a design – because a friend did, and it suddenly sparked your interest?

If you are stepping back from social media that’s ok! Message your friends if it’s something you absolutely love or if you think they’ll love it.

However, if you send private messages, try to be a thoughtful matchmaker. I’m sure crocheter friends love to see new knitting designs but “you should knit this” may fall flat. “isn’t this stunning? Do you know anyone who loves this type of knitting?” might do better.

Write a review. Another way to help is to let the authors/artists know that you like their work and tell others about it. Buy legitimate copies of their books (or borrow them from a library) and write a review and share it.

Recommend books to your library system, and then check them out. If your catalog system allows for reviews, write one!

These don’t need to be in-depth reviews; 100 words can make a difference. Why should someone read it? What will they learn (nonfiction) or feel (fiction)? Why did you finish it?

Say thank you. Drop them a note, I personally think handwritten is best, but addresses aren’t always easy to find. An email or contact form works too. Send a short note to let them know you appreciate their work and how it inspires or makes you smile.

To everyone who has taken a few seconds to read and interact with one of my posts or social media updates, thank you. To the knitters and crocheters who invested the time to make one of my patterns and to anyone who has purchased from the shop, thank you.

Best wishes for this holiday season.

This is a 2024 update of a post first written in 2016.