Etsy for Christmas

I posted WAY back in September that I wanted to make my Christmas a bit more about supporting independent type businesses. For me this meant Etsy. And, I did it! I bought journals, for example, from Iliana. Everyone that reads my blog... Iliana ROCKS! I ordered the journals and then she handled everything from there. The above picture is because I never actually saw them... You see, shipping costs are kind of depressing in Canada. As a result, Iliana handled the shipping instead of me having them shipped to me and then me shipping them out again. I was worried it would seem a bit impersonal, but if I added shipping costs to my budget it might be problematic. But, guys, it was not impersonal AT ALL! Iliana wrapped them and included cards. Also, each one had a bookmark. If I wasn't posting this now; the people that received them might not even know I just, well, paid for them... So, if you ever want to support someone awesome for whatever holiday that comes your way - please visit her shop. I was very happy with everything overall and everyone loved their journals (I even bought one for myself).

I now have a perfect way to buy gifts for people. Anyone I think would remotely like a journal will be receiving one! And, I am very happy I did something that I set out to do. I also bought from a couple other Etsy shops, but I don't know them... And I am sort of coveting postcards from there. I might get my own gifts at some point...

Etsy Christmas

I have been thinking about Christmas lately and what I want to do for it this year. One thing that came to mind is how I always want to support talented people and their Etsy shops; but always wind up being disorganized and never getting around to actually doing it. This year I decided to make it the theme of my holidays. I am going to try to buy almost everyone on my Christmas list at least one item from an Etsy shop. I have all ready been browsing and making lists so I can do so early and not in a last minute shopping spree.

I have two blogging friends that have Etsy shops: Lisa and Iliana. I all ready have two projects in the works from Lisa and have been browsing Iliana's shop for ideas. If you have an Etsy shop that I apparently don't know about please share the link in the comments.

And, there are always Poppets from Poppet Planet.

I am also open to suggestions. Iliana shared this list of shops she enjoys:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jNicDesigns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RachelleD
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cleverhands
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jorgensenstudio
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeautySpot
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ellembee

I would love more from your blogging friends, friends, or just shops you have enjoyed in the past. I will probably branch out and browse in general, but in the beginning I would like to support either people I know or friends of people I know.

So, that's my plan for the holidays... Do you ever make plans for how your Christmas is going to be this year?