6 Alternatives to Amazon Holiday Shopping
This fall marks my three year anniversary of not purchasing anything from Amazon, and you should join me! The behemoth owns more than you’re probably aware of, so it’s tough to avoid altogether, but there are so many better options for online personal and gift shopping. Since the holidays are coming up, I wanted to share some alternatives to directly supporting Jeff’s unethical monopolistic empire.
- Use the Amazon search function then buy from the seller’s website
You can use Amazon’s search function as a great tool to find what you need, but then buy directly from the seller. Cut out that unnecessary, selfish, billionaire middleman!
Bonus! Oftentimes buying directly from the seller is cheaper! Years ago, many items used to be cheaper on Amazon, but Jeff can hike up prices because many people assume buying on Amazon is still cheaper.
2. Buy from independently owned small businesses
We need to untrain ourselves from considering Amazon the first (and sometimes the only) place to shop online. Many small businesses are struggling to get by due to the pandemic, and many offer shipping or curbside pick up. Supporting your community is worth the extra shopping effort.
3. Support artists!
There are so many talented artists selling their work online. I recommend finding artists on Etsy or Instagram, and if they have one, buy directly from their website. It’s as easy as searching keywords on Etsy and Instagram or finding an artist your loved ones follow on social media.
4. Support local restaurants by purchasing gift cards
Buying gift cards from local restaurants gives your loved ones a tasty meal or two and supports a local business that is likely seeing a decline in revenue due to the pandemic.
5. Consider donating to a nonprofit in your loved one’s honor
Think about what causes they care about most and donate in honor of them. This is a great option for last minute gifts because there’s no need to wait for shipping!
6. Send a heartfelt handwritten card
Don’t want to spend money just because the capitalistic world we live in expects you to? Want to support the USPS with your favorite stamps? Make (or support artists) and mail your loved ones cards! Also, sometimes people genuinely don’t want a material gift, but if you still want to give them something, a handwritten heartfelt card can be a thoughtful compromise.
There are so many (better!) alternatives to Amazon. Let’s stop supporting a horribly unethical company that mistreats its workers, implements predatory pricing, and is purposefully creating a monopolistic empire. We don’t actually need it, and let’s keep it that way by supporting small businesses, local restaurants, artists, nonprofits, and the USPS.
