As the holiday season approaches, holiday preparations are underway and the air is filled with anticipation for the upcoming holidays and festive season. This time of year is all about family, gratitude, spreading joy, and giving to our communities, and one meaningful way to do so is by choosing to support local small businesses of which many offer handcrafted goods and services.
Crafted goods and local services offer a charm and uniqueness that mass-produced items and industries simply cannot replicate. Each item tells a story, bearing the mark of its creator’s dedication and skill. When you purchase handcrafted items, you are not only buying a product, you are investing in artistry and supporting artisans who pour their heart and soul into their work.
Most crafters are ‘quiet’ experts in their field, having honed their skills and passions over years, or even decades, embodying traditional techniques (some techniques as old as 3000BC) and in some cases, cultural heritage, and their handcrafted goods are often one-of-a-kind. Even if a crafter creates on a bigger scale you are ensured the quality of a uniquely, special gift. In some cases items can even be customised, making them personal and meaningful. Artisans spend time designing, selecting materials, and painstakingly creating each piece by hand. High-quality materials are also often used and time-tested techniques have been applied, resulting in products that are built to last, and in some cases can often become cherished heirlooms.
In the case of ‘Waldorf-based’ toys, for example, thought is placed on encouraging imaginative play and open-ended exploration. This means that these toys do not prescribe to a specific purpose or outcome, allowing children to use their imagination and creativity to guide their play, fostering the development of problem-solving skills, empathy, and a sense of wonder in children whilst nurturing a sense of beauty adding to the whole experience of learning and playing. The Waldorf philosophy also encourages mindful and intentional ‘consumption’ that brings with it educational value, promoting a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to acquiring and using items.
Many small businesses and artists also prioritise sustainable practices. They are more likely to use eco-friendly, natural materials and processes, which means that you are not only buying a beautiful gift, supporting a small business but also supporting environmentally responsible production methods.
As you consider your holiday shopping this Christmas season, balance is key, and with that an opportunity to think about the impact of your choices. By supporting small, local businesses, you are also contributing to your community’s well-being.
Cape Town is filled with craft fairs, markets, and small boutiques to discover this time of year, some even offering online marketplaces on social media platforms, many of them ensuring safe delivery services as they are invested in their products and the longevity of their efforts.
As many of you may know, our school has an incredible Craft Shop on the premises, fully stocked with crafts, Waldorf stationery, and various crafting materials to make your own.
Celebrating and supporting artistry, skill, dedication, and small business owners this season, not only impacts the people around our tables but the lives of those who live within our wider communities.
As the Craft Shop does every year, keep a lookout for your 2025 stationery pre-order forms.
Nanette Snyckers, Editor
