Support Indie Bookstores & Local Shops This Winter
“I wish I were a grizzly bear and could eat all the cake and sandwiches in the picnic baskets of Yellowstone National Park, build up a pleasing layer of blubber, dig a large but snug hole, and go to sleep until the warmer weather draws me out. However, as a human being, it might be better to devise rather more sociable ways of embracing the colder months.”
-Emma Mitchell from Making Winter: A Hygge-Inspired Guide to Surviving the Winter Months
I’m beginning to enjoy this cozy part of the year as I’ve learned over the last few years how to embrace the colder months. When November rolls around, I spend more time reading, learning to knit, piecing together a puzzle in the evenings with my husband, and taking walks in the cool mornings among crunching leaves and busy squirrels. To stay warm, I pull on my wool socks, work on perfecting the art of layering, and cover up in blankets or fall asleep by the fire (an ongoing family joke is that I can never stay awake when a fire is in the fireplace, but luckily my husband stays awake to make sure it’s turned off before bedtime).
This week, my life is full of friends and family, cooking and baking, and making time to get outside. Whether you enjoy time with family or friends, contemplative alone time, shopping small and supporting your local bookstore or shops, or cold yet sunny afternoons outside for fresh air and calm, I hope you are recharging for the season ahead.
Book & Gift Ideas for the Winter Season
Find ideas for bringing warmth inside your home with my Hygge booklist on Bookshop.org.
If winter or the holiday season ahead can be a difficult season for you or someone you love, giving a gift that encourages wellness might be a caring way to offer support. Browse my Winter Wellness booklist on Bookshop.org and then pair a book with a comforting gift of tea from a local maker, a homemade blanket, a nature journal (like this one or this one or this one for kids), watercolor or drawing set, a knitting class or a great knitting bag, or even a pair of binoculars and a bird feeder or roosting box for birdwatching this winter season.
Kids get grumpy this time of year, too. If you have little ones overwhelmed by all the holiday activity, they might enjoy the book Grumpy Badger’s Christmas by Paul Bright and Jane Chapman. While it doesn’t seem to be available in bookstores any longer, you might find a copy at your local library or watch the read-aloud video below.
One of the most exciting parts of winter (at least in this part of the world) is the (albeit slim!) chance of snow. Make the transition to winter even more fun by learning about how nature prepares for winter and how it often parallels what we are doing in our lives during this season. Enjoy a book from my Seasons, Winter Holidays, and Celebrating Winter Solstice booklists on Bookshop.org with a warm mug of hot chocolate or tea.
Time in the kitchen becomes even more cozy during the colder months. Gathering around a table, big or small, feels comforting and nourishing. Check out my Family Meals - My Cookbook Library booklist on Bookshop.org to inspire you or the home chef in your life!
First Light Books in Austin, Texas
Supporting Indie Bookstores & Shop Small
We love our charming little independent bookstores and small family-owned shops, but they won’t stay in business if we only shop at big box stores and Amazon. For small businesses to thrive, we have to actually shop there. Sometimes, that means paying a little more and being patient for items to arrive if they need to be ordered.
What you receive in return for shopping small is a more enjoyable (and usually less stressful) experience in a well-curated (often smaller) and cozy environment, the heartwarming feeling of supporting local makers and people in your community who help make your town unique, and an opportunity to see creativity in action with all of the beautiful displays and items made with care. Most small businesses also stock products made by other small business owners, so everyone wins! Personal touches and helpful advice are some of the best parts of shopping small.
You can support local businesses and independent bookstores year-round with memberships or subscriptions like the ones below. You receive some great perks, and they know that they have the financial support of their community even in the months when business is slow.
First Light Books membership program in Austin, TX
Lark & Owl membership program in Georgetown, Texas
When you shop small, you support members of your community. What to do if you can’t find what you are looking for locally? You can support makers and small business owners worldwide on Etsy and even filter the search results by state, country, shipping time, and whether or not the item is handmade. I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite Etsy finds for winter!
Can’t make it to your local bookstore or can’t find the book you need? You can still shop from home AND support independent bookstores on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for audiobooks.
In time for the winter gift-giving season, Bookshop is giving this community a code to save 15% on anything from their gift guide. Just use the code HOLIDAY23when you check out (code expires December 18, 2023). Can’t find what you’re looking for? What about giving a Bookshop.org gift card instead?
Bookshop.org works to connect readers with independent booksellers all over the world. We believe local bookstores are essential community hubs that foster culture, curiosity, and a love of reading, and we're committed to helping them thrive. Every purchase on the site financially supports independent bookstores. Our platform gives independent bookstores tools to compete online and financial support to help them maintain their presence in local communities.
Libro.fm is an employee-owned Social Purpose Corporation that shares profits from your audiobook purchases with your chosen bookshop, giving you the power to keep money within your local economy.
What are your favorite indie bookstores in your area? Share your favorite indie bookstores and what books you’ll be giving this season in the comments below this post.
Fall color beginning in Central Texas
I’ll see you next week with a new Life’s Seasons post!