Should We Boycott Christmas 2025?
Vendor Hive 324 at The Jerico Faire. Photo by Elemental Media.
Should We Boycott Christmas 2025?
If you’re on social media - the discussion has been a hard one to avoid: do we Boycott Christmas 2025? Thousands of voices have taken to discussions of completely cancelling Christmas this year: no spending, no presents, all in an effort to put strain on the large, billion dollar corporations in this country and to disrupt the current economic system.
Maybe you’re tired of the endless consumerism too. Somewhere along the way, the joy gets lost. What about the magic? The celebration? Two things can be true: we can boycott consumerism while still holding tight to tradition, the spirit of togetherness, and family.
You don’t need to boycott Christmas 2025
You don’t actually need to boycott Christmas or generosity just because you want to boycott big business. Being thoughtful of where your dollars go is the best way to continue to spread cheer while also making a positive impact on your community.
Three ways to avoid big box stores and keep Christmas alive:
Shopping local and supporting small businesses:
They need our regular support to continue to operate and the holidays play a huge role in that. Skip the Black Friday Deals, and shop locally on Small Business Saturday!The gift of presence:
What skills or tools do you have at your disposal that can help others? Maybe it’s babysitting someone’s kids, organizing your grandparents' garage, or volunteering your family at a food drive in the wake of uncertainty around SNAP benefits. Here are just a few of the amazing Kalamazoo organizations you can volunteer at to support your community: OutFront Kalamazoo, FIRE Kalamazoo, Urban Alliance, Loaves & Fishes, The Care Collective of SWMI, Community Home Works, Gryphon Place, Kalamazoo Dream Center, and more.Handmade gifts & thrifted finds: A gift made from the heart is a gift well cherished. While not all of us are creative or savvy at this - if you have the skills to make something, do it. Christmas ornaments, a handmade sweater, or homemade baked goods are always appreciated and create deeper connections.
The way we spend our money this year, and every year, is the best gift we can give to one other.
It also doesn’t hurt to have access to some of the most unique gifts you can find this holiday season! We invite you to shop Small Business Saturday here at The Jerico Faire on Saturday, November 29th in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
THE JERICO FAIRE IN KALAMAZOO, MI.
This holiday season, come shop from 50+ artists and small businesses at the Jerico Faire on Small Business Saturday, November 29th, from 11am-5pm at 1501 Fulford St in Kalamazoo, MI at Jerico. Browse art and handmade goods from local artists and makers, get your group photo taken at the Holiday Photo Booth, and enjoy delicious food and drinks from Teresa’s Kitchen, PAC Pizzeria, and Fiddle Leaf Cafe. This event is free to the public.
YES, THERE’S A GIFT FOR THEM TOO.
Really want to shop local at The Jerico Faire, but aren’t sure it’s realistic for the folks on your Christmas shopping list this year? With over 50 vendors at the Jerico Faire - we are confident you can get your entire Christmas list completed all in just one day while still shopping small on November 29th.
Gifts for the Kids:
Get them a crochet charm, water bottle sling, or handmade hat from Chosen Co or Eggie Crafts; some silly animal magnets, stickers, or ornaments from Hann of the Wood; some funky jewelry from Whim; or a bedtime storybook pillow or a handmade baby quilt by Bubble & Pop.Gifts for Her:
She’d love a funky or elegant piece of new jewelry from vendors like Sara Liz Metalsmith, Silver Haze Jewelry, Farmhouse Moon, Within Resin Pendants, Melanie Making, Rose Moon, or Birch & Blooms. Maybe she loves self care? Get her some locally made skincare from Urban Holler Farm, shower steamers from HIVE 324, or body oils from Rainbow Forest.Gifts for Him:
Get him some one-of-a-kind clothing from Oddment Apparel or Ciaoroan; or a cool print to hang in his office from D.S. Embree, ECF Print Shop, EIGHT THIRTY SEVEN, Prints by Mariss, Blue Hare Goods, or Max Hospadaruk. Maybe he wants some one-of-a-kind art to display from Magic Frog Oddities, Hot Metal Artist, Rooted in the Sky, or Weirder Wonderland.Gifts for the Grandparents:
Get them some fun tea towels for their kitchen from Hann of The Wood, some stained glass art to hang in their picture window from Kalamazoo Art Glass, a quilt for their bed from Seedling Studio, one-of-a-kind ornaments from Home Camp, or some homemade elixirs from Elixir House.Gifts for the one who “seriously doesn’t want anything”:
Who can say no to homemade pasta from West Michigan Pasta Provisions, a handmade mug from Earth Body Pottery, Rara Cerámica, Light Studio Pottery, or one of the artists in Kalamazoo Kiln Room. Or bring them along to the faire and get a family group photo by Sarah Hill Photography!
click to enlarge images of map
Shopping & Wayfinding
We will be hosting over 50 makers and artists throughout the three-building complex. Prints, ceramics, clothing, stained glass, jewelry, and more - there’s no limit to the type of art and wares that will be available this Saturday. Check out the list of vendors and where they’ll be located:
North Building Vendors:
Rara Ceramica, Sara Liz Metalsmith, D.S. Embree, Home Camp, GUILD, Rooted in Sky, Whim, Bubble & Pop, Prints by Mariss, Silver Haze Jewelry, Hot Metal Artist, Kalamazoo Kiln Room Member Artists Maria Tripodis, Luna Zuniga, Taylor Bell, Jamie McKinney, Sarah Payne, Angel Zuniga, Addie Carden
South Building Vendors:
Farmhouse Moon, Light Studio Pottery, Urban Holler, Oddment Apparel, Rose Moon, ECF Printshop, West Michigan Pasta Provisions, Within Resin Pendants, Max Hospadaruk, Ciaoroan, Melanie Making, ChosenCo, Kalamazoo Art Glass, Magic Frog Oddities, Hann of the Wood, Hive 324, Birch & Blooms, Eggie Crafts, Rainbow Forest Creations, The Elixir Fixer, Weirder Wonderland, Earth Body Pottery, Blue Hare Goods, Seedling Studio, Eight Thirty Seven, Raquel Childress, Amy O’Donnell-Lueth, Sarah Hill Photography
Food Vendors:
Fiddle Leaf Cafe, PAC Pizzeria, Teresa’s Kitchen
Have a question, need directions, or assistance during the Jerico Faire?
Make sure to grab a copy of the event map at each entrance of the buildings! Still need assistance? Find one of our friendly volunteers who will point you in the right direction, or email director@hellojerico.com.
Food & drink
There’s something for everyone to eat or drink! Fiddle Leaf Cafe will be serving coffee and treats, PAC Pizzeria will be serving a blend of American and Brazilian food from pizzas, coxinha, churros, and more, and Teresa’s Kitchen will be serving tacos, tamales, tortas, burritos, quesadillas, elotes and more!
Activities
Make sure to get a family photo the Holiday Photo Booth with Sarah Hill Photography!
Join us in the north building for the soft opening of GUILD!
GUILD is a new creative space opening this fall in the heart of Jerico with the purpose of sharing skills, resources and time, and creating community. Their aim is to shift our collective artistic mindset to one of community support over individual perfection by way of creative practice. Check out the GUILD Giveaway that begins on November 12th to win a one-of-a-kind custom GUILD quilted tote.
Shoppers of all ages browsing art at The Jerico Faire. Photo by Elemental Media.
