It’s Small Business Saturday! To celebrate, we wanted to take the time to highlight a few of the boutiques that help bring Tea to you. From California to North Carolina, these tiny but mighty businesses help bring the magic and meaning of Tea to life. Read on to hear more from each store owner about what Small Business Saturday means to them, their holiday tips, tricks, and wishes, and what they recommend from Tea this gifting season.

Baby Bliss (Dallas, TX)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

Bringing recognition and support to the local stores whose owners live in and contribute to your community.

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

I have learned to buy early or things get sold out! In general, I have no tricks. I just love the season… The decorations, the music, and the feeling of buying for others!

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

I’m dreaming of some very expensive tennis shoes that I won’t buy for myself… Really, I just want to be surrounded by my people in peace and happiness. And a day off of work where I don’t have to worry about emails and phone calls!

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

We love all things Tea! For the babies, we go for easy rompers. For girls, fun dresses paired with leggings is a no brainer. And for the boys, we love the tees that can pair with any of the Tea pants!

Follow Baby Bliss @shopbabybliss and @shopminimedallas.

Little (Portland, ME)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

Small Business Saturday is really important to Little. It’s a day where small, local shops are recognized and people take a break from the big-box retailers. It’s also a day where we get to celebrate our customers! They’re the reason we’re here and we couldn’t be more appreciative of their support.

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

If you love it, buy it! This is especially true if you shop small. These stores spend a lot of time curating their selection. And with a lot of these items being made by hand and in small batches, once it’s gone, it won’t be back for awhile. Shopping this way also makes gift giving that much more special.

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

To travel… To anywhere new!

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

Matching Family Plaid outfits! Match with siblings, cousins, best friends… Whoever! It’s so cute! But if you’re looking for something for a newborn, anything from the sherpa collection would be great to snuggle in this winter.

Follow Little @boutiquelittle.

Mockingbird (Charlestown, MA)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

Small Business Saturday means community. Living and owning a store in the same neighborhood, I love the chance to get to know my customers and neighbors and learn what they want and need. It’s a joy to watch families begin and expand.

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

I always ask store owners for their advice based on my friends and family’s style and interests. They always have the best suggestions!

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

I hope to find a Breville Espresso Maker under my tree. I need the strong stuff owning a small business and raising two girls!

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

My two daughters and I are loving the Earth Red velour pieces. We’re having a hard time deciding which pieces to bring home!

Follow Mockingbird @mockingbirdstore.

Fox + Kit (Mashpee, MA)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

I’m glad that Small Business Saturday serves as a day to remind everyone that small businesses are important, especially during the busy holiday shopping season. Shopping small supports families and communities. For me, when people shop at Fox + Kit, they are also supporting my dream. Small Business Saturday is a day for us to celebrate the power of shopping small. And since many small businesses have websites, you might not even need to leave your couch!

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

Shop early if there’s something you know you want. Manufacturers and retailers try to anticipate how much stock they might need for the holiday season, but oftentimes, products do sell out. Also, don’t underestimate the power of price matching. While small businesses are frequently thought of as more expensive, more often than not, their prices are the same as (or lower than!) online competitors. Don’t be afraid to ask your local shop to price match if you do find something online for a lower price.

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

A vacation ? After months of working 6-7 days a week, I could use one!

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

My 3-year-old daughter would say velour joggers and leggings, for sure! She loves running her hands up and down her “soft pants.” The joggers also have pockets, which are imperative for collecting rocks.

I personally am loving the Baby Yeti Storytelling Tee and the Glow-In-The-Dark Leopard tee. And anything with a fox ? Give me all the cute critters!

Follow Fox + Kit @fox.and.kit.

The Spotted Goose (Cincinnati, OH)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

Small Business Saturday is a special day for our team. Not only are we a small business, but many of our team members’ families own and operate small businesses. It’s really nice to have a day to encourage folks to shop small and support your neighbors!

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

Go with your heart – thoughtful gifts always make the biggest impression.

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

A trip to the beach – I need some sunshine in my life!

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

We love the little leopard tunic paired with a fun legging, as well as the boys sweatpants with a plaid button up worn open with a t-shirt underneath!

Follow The Spotted Goose @thespottedgoose.

Polliwogs (Greensboro, NC)

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

Start early! Take pictures of everything you buy and keep a list. It’s very easy to lose track of what you have and have not purchased!

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

I love anything that my kids make. It’s just so sweet to see that they took the time to create something special. Jewelry is never a bad gift either!

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

I don’t think you can ever go wrong with pajamas. Tea PJs have always been a personal favorite in our home. They are very cozy and have the best prints! I am particularly fond of the boy’s Yeti Raglan pajamas this season.

Follow Polliwogs @polliwogsonline.

Keedo Kids (Oklahoma City, OK)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

Small Business Saturday is a chance for people to slow down and get to know their local shops. We can’t do the big box discounts that you’ll see on Black Friday, but we can offer customer service that you’ll only find in smaller shops!

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

The best tip I can give is know your sizes when you head out to shop. All 3 year olds don’t wear the same size, and a picture doesn’t always help us. With shoes, you can trace the child’s foot and cut it out! Shoe brands don’t always run the same.

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

I want TIME for Christmas. My kids are all grown and busy with their own lives. I miss Sunday Family dinners! Time with friends also gets harder as we all start having grandkids.

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

Tea is such a great brand – you can’t go wrong! I love doing matching big and little sister. The Full Skirt Wrap Neck Dress for girl and Metallic Ruffled Romper for little girl in Golden Sun are my favorites! I love the blue with the pop of gold. For boys, I like to layer a button-up flannel over a t-shirt. My favorite is the Everest Glow-In-The-Dark Tee with the Hooded Bold Blue Plaid Button Up Shirt.

Follow Keedo @keedokids.

Kissui (Redlands, CA)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

I love small business Saturday more than any other day of the year! It’s when I get to see all of our most loyal customers. It gives us a day to show how much we appreciate them and their support throughout the year.

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

Holiday shopping can be overwhelming to say the least. I have always been a fan of the mantra: less is more. I try to purchase fewer items and instead focus on quality. I love the idea of giving gifts that I know will last.

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

If anyone would like to send me on vacation, I will gladly accept!

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

As a mom to 3 girls, I am loving the velour options. They are SO soft and have just the right amount of stretch. For the boys, I would pick the Himalyan Ski romper or tee.

Follow Kissui @kissui.

Magical Child (Encinitas, CA)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

It’s a way to gain exposure for our store and promote shopping small! Small businesses are known for exceptional customer service because we always try to do the most for everyone that walks in. Small businesses offer a more personalized experience, something we greatly value. Customers are our #1 priority, and we love the opportunity to highlight our specialized way of shopping!

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

Don’t wait for the last minute to get all your shopping done! Get your holiday shopping done as early as possible – a small sale isn’t worth your peace of mind!

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

A surprise flight to a fun destination!

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

Tea pajamas are always a great gift – so warm and cozy! Also, the boys t-shirts are always very cute!

Follow Magical Child @magical.child.encinitas.

Sweet Pea (Traverse City, MI)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

Small Business Saturday is a chance to show that we value our local customers!

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

Provide the best customer service possible! Become a personal shopper for each customer. Offer free gift wrap and make it personal; remember customers’ names and stories.

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

The greatest gift is time with family and friends!

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

Dresses and leggings for the girls, and rompers are a must for infants!

Follow Sweet Pea @sweetpeatc.

Maya Papaya and Tony (Evanston, IL)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

It means good old fashioned shopping. Set the phone aside. Shop with your senses. See, touch, and smell instead of clicking.

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

“The item you saw today and want to think about tonight will be sold later today to someone who saw it yesterday and thought about it last night.”

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

As corny as it sounds, I would love some peace on earth. The world has become very convoluted.

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

For girls, the Golden Sun print dress or romper; it has just the right amount of sparkle and twirl. You can dress it up or down as occasion calls. For boys, the Dueling Dragons popover – very unique with the dragon print along the sleeves!

Check out Maya Papaya and Tony at maya-tony.com.

Clothes Pony (Fort Collins, CO)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate our community. We are so grateful for all the folks who come and play with us all year long. We know everyone has choices of where to buy their holiday gifts, but we believe in the power of meeting your neighbors, greeting travelers, and hearing each other’s stories; laughing together, crying together, admiring each other’s children, and making friends. Combine all of that with the process of going to market and finding the products that bring you the most joy and best meet your family’s needs. Our kid-friendly store is founded on our core values of fun, open-heartedness, and unique high-quality products. Every time someone walks in our door, we have a potential new friend!

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

We tell anyone shopping this holiday season to focus on clothes and toys that can be enjoyed for years and handed down to other little ones. Quality over quantity. Revel in your family and friends this year and focus on each other rather than the perfect holiday. This year more than ever, look for companies that reflect the values that are important to you.

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

Our dream gift this year is to spend Christmas day (ALL DAY) singing karaoke with our families – that and a cashmere travel wrap!

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

You really can’t go wrong with the Tea brand. Kids love the comfy fit and colorful prints, while parents love that Tea washes and wears beautifully and is made by a company that cares about the world. Our current favorite is the Dragon Zip Hoodie that is perfect for Colorado winters and turns any kiddo into a fiery dragon. We also adore the Metallic Wind Horse Dress because we love seeing our horse crazy girls layer that dress over a funky pair of leggings and wear it from school to the playground to The Nutcracker.

Follow Clothes Pony @clothesponyanddandeliontoys.

Dungeness Kids (Sequim, WA)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

I love that it celebrates small businesses that work so hard for their communities.

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

I always appreciate the unique, quality gifts. Grab things when you see them throughout the year so they’re not gone when you’re looking for them during the holidays.

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

I’d love a trip to Hawaii!

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

I’m a boy mom, so my favorite picks this season are the Bear Snack Graphic Tee and the Forest Fleece Joggers.

Follow Dungeness Kids @dungenesskids.

Fiddlesticks (San Francisco, CA)

What does Small Business Saturday mean to you?

It’s a marketing moment that reminds people to shop local. There can never be enough reminders to support the local community. Jump off your devices and visit your local stores! #shoplocal

Holiday shopping tips and tricks as an industry insider?

Shop early and avoid the weekends if you can. Get that list compiled now and start crossing it off early. Just think: the sooner you finish, the more time you have for baking and nog. #hayesvalley

What is YOUR dream gift this holiday season?

The best gift I could ever get is TIME with my family. Experiences together are golden. As my kids continue to get older, time with them becomes more valuable.

For the gift giver looking at Tea – what are your picks?

We adore the Himalayan Ski print! It’s available in boy, girl, and baby, so it can be for everyone. It’s such a lovely print that captures the fun of winter! Dress the adults in denim and navy, and you have a great family photo opportunity.

Follow Fiddlesticks @fiddlesticks_sf.

From all of us here at Tea, we can’t thank these boutiques enough! You can find your local Tea retailer here. Are you a boutique owner interested in carrying Tea? Send our Wholesale team a note at wholesaleteam@teacollection.com!

Every month, we highlight one of the three hundred boutiques across the country that help bring Tea to your local communities. This month, we’re featuring Fiddlesticks, a boutique based right here in our own backyard in San Francisco, CA. After working for big companies like Coca-Cola, Fiddlesticks’ owner, Elizabeth, decided to pursue her own passions. Read on to learn more about her story.

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What inspired you to open your boutique? How long has it been open?

I started my career at Coca-Cola in their Marketing department, and from there jumped into several Tech companies. It wasn’t the right fit for me, and soon I found myself on a path to open my own retail store. I believe I was always meant to be an entrepreneur. I have been doing this for over 15 years now, and to me it’s a lifestyle that I continue to really enjoy.

What makes your store special?

I believe it’s the combination of our curation and merchandising. Design is really important to me when I head out on my buying trips. I look high and low to make sure the brand Fiddlesticks remains consistent in design and quality. And once in store, placement really matters – especially when mixed with toys and books.

I also believe our boys section is really special, and at times lately heavier than our girls side. The girls can’t always get all the attention. 😉

What was your favorite Tea destination and why?

We have been with Tea since the very beginning – back when there were just a handful of designs. So we have seen many destinations in the last 15 years. My favorite destination will always be Japan. I see it as a return to the brand’s roots, plus the designs are always beautiful.

What was the last trip you & your family took together, and what made it special?

This past summer we meandered our way through the Midwest for several weeks. My husband and I grew up in the Midwest, so this was familiar travel. We played with family and friends, and found ourselves in many known adventures. But we also tossed in a great deal of new to it all, which is what made it very special. Familiar travel with a mix of new was the right choice for us this summer. Plus, getting out of San Francisco during our freezing summers is always welcome!

Who inspires you (alive or not) and why?

My children! They are always schooling me in current lingo, wearing (or rejecting) the current trends, and always teaching me to be a better person. They are my light at the end of the day, and the force that keeps me inspired in this world that seems so dark right now.

What is one thing you think customers should know about the store that they may not be aware of?

We have an incredible Giveback program! We support local schools through our “It’s In The Bag” program. When San Francisco introduced a mandated 10 cent shopping bag fee in 2013, we saw an opportunity to bring together our customers and our local school community. We now charge 50 cents per bag, and all the funds generated from shopping bag sales within a two-week period are matched by Fiddlesticks, sealed with a kiss, and donated to a local school.

You’re a new addition in the crayon color box. What color are you?

In the world of Fiddlesticks, definitely Porange. Our brand colors are blue and orange, but we love to toss in pink here and there. Our favorite ribbon combo on our wrapping is white, pink & orange – PORANGE!

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Be sure to check out Fiddlesticks if you’re in San Francisco, CA. Not in the Bay? You can support Fiddlesticks by shopping online at www.shopfiddlesticks.com. Want to see more stories like this? Be sure to follow Tea Collection on Instagram @teacollection.