Holiday 2022 Boutique Shopping Guide

Holiday shopping is in full swing, and this year I have made the commitment to shop small and shop local for the majority of the gifts I'll be giving this year. When I think of shopping small, I think of all the wonderful and talented makers I know (candles, soaps, bath & body products, shirts, etc), but I often forget about the amazing boutiques out there, too.

When you peruse various holiday gift guides, you'll find them jam packed with great gift ideas from makers and small businesses with a handful (or less) products, but this shopping guide is specifically to highlight some of my favorite boutiques! Shopping with boutiques still counts as shopping small (and local if they are in your town), and you can knock out a lot of your list with just one or two shops! Plus, many boutiques put an emphasis on supporting small brands, so it's really a win-win!

Here is a list I've put together of my favorite boutiques to shop from for the holidays, and year round!

The Materials Design Co

My good friend Arielle started TMDCo. in 2018 to bring beautiful products to market and a focus on telling the story of a product’s creation process from materials to inspiration to maker. Over the past year or so she has expanded her shop to not only include her own goods but also the work of a number of outstanding makers and designers.

At TMDCo, you'll find a freshly curated collections of joyful and whimsical design, created by independent designers, makers, and artists from around the US and the world. These collections pinpoint design trends and the color moods of the season and are accompanied by inspiration boards, maker interviews, and even a Spotify playlist so you can immerse in the beauty of the season. Whenever I need a fun and funky gift (or just a pick-me-up for myself), I check out what Arielle has in her shop, and I'm never disappointed!

The Flourish Market

At The Flourish Market, every product has a bigger purpose. Owner Emily Grey started The Flourish Market in October 2015 as a uniform delivery truck turned do-good fashion truck, which has since turned into something much greater because of their incredible "Flourish Fam." They currently partner with 200+ brands that work all over the world, including right here at home in the United States, to drive positive social change. The folks at Flourish invite you to use your purchasing power for good, supporting causes and change makers creating sustainable impact.

Mix & Match

Mix & Match is a St. Louis based boutique that also offers trunk shows as a fun shopping experience. Owner & Founder Maggie Laskowitz started Mix & Match to help women find fashionable, comfortable, affordable everyday clothes that mix and match with their current wardrobe. Clients can shop in the comfort of their own home or at their two brick and mortar shops in St. Louis.

Mix & Match is a reflection of Maggie's lifestyle and how she like to shop. Clothes that are comfy and cute for those casual days along with some items to dress up your wardrobe. Maggie has created a space where everyone who shops there feels welcome and comfortable, because shopping should be fun! Stop by to chat, shop and try on the newest trends.

Bench Pressed

If you're looking for the perfect card to go along with your gift, definitely check out Bench Pressed. Owners Jane and Andy Shannon started Bench Pressed in 2012, when they bought a small tabletop letterpress and moved it into their spare bedroom. 5 years later, they moved the shop and expanded to four presses. Jane and Andy love making hand-drawn and hand-printed letterpress cards & gifts that they like to call "tongue-in-cheek with a little sweet". They have expanded their shop to include a variety of giftable goodies to accompany their printed cards and other goods.

Cheeky Chic Boutique

Cheeky Chic Boutique owners Rachel & Mandy are best friends and sisters-in-law who started their boutique in February 2020. Their goal is to provide trendy women's fashion at affordable prices and quality customer service to all of their customers. But most important of all (and most apparent if you know them!) is creating a supportive community with their customers and friends. They started a podcast in 2021 to connect with their customers on a more personal level and share stories about mom life, pop culture, and the ups and downs of owning a small business. Each episode ends with their motto - "Be kind and dress cute!"

Urban Matter

Urban Matter is a women owned small business in St. Louis offering unique and quality made gifts for you, your home and those you love. UM was established in 2014 and since July 2020, is comprised of two storefronts - just steps away from the other. The two stores are thoughtfully curated and always evolving with an emphasis on independent design, local and regionally hand crafted goods. UM also has an in-house brand, Urban Workshop and features custom items such as lighting, tables, picture frames and leather/waxed canvas products.