As festive lights flicker across town, so does the yearly rallying cry to “support small businesses.” Small Business Saturday, neighbourhood shout-outs, TikTok reels urging local love — it’s practically part of the December playlist now. But let’s unwrap this shiny 2025 tradition and peek past the glittery façade.
1. The Myth of the Happy Dance
Contrary to Instagram folklore, not every order sparks an ecstatic twirl in small-business land. Order #56789 might look like a win, but behind it lurk schedules, supply-chain chaos, courier dramas and spreadsheets that could break an economist’s spirit. With rising costs and a shaky economy, the 2025 version of the “small biz happy dance” is more of a tired-but-determined nod. Time to ditch the fairy tales and recognise the relentless graft behind each box that leaves the kitchen.
This magnificent Alice in Wonderland cake does not appear by magic while I pirouette around humming Christmas tunes.
2. Ballet Classes vs. Billionaire Yachts
Those wholesome posts about “you’re supporting someone’s ballet lessons!” are still floating around social media, but honestly — small business owners in 2025 have slightly bigger dreams. With rent hikes and energy bills soaring, many of us are just trying to keep the lights on. And if I occasionally fantasise about a tiny yacht? Well, billionaires have superyachts just for the vibes, so let us have our dinghy dreams.
And big businesses aren’t the enemy. They employ millions. Supporting small shouldn’t be a moral hierarchy — it’s a choice, not a heroic crusade.
3. The Struggling High Street Reality
The high street is still limping. Some towns are fighting the good fight; others feel like glitter-covered ghost estates. But relying on a couple of December purchases won’t revive a decade of decline.
Community events matter. Showing up matters. And if you find yourself near a Patisserie Valerie unveiling a new festive menu with local creators, definitely pop in — collaborations like that keep the high street’s heartbeat going. You can even peek behind the scenes in our launch-day blog.
Christmas quick-fixes won’t solve deep-rooted issues — thoughtful, year-round support might.
4. Customer Service Realities
After yet another year of battling chatbots, disappearing helplines and AI-powered mazes, it’s tempting to expect small businesses to reply instantly, 24/7. But tiny teams can’t (and shouldn’t) compete with multinational automation.
You’ll always get a human — usually a warm one — just not necessarily one operating at midnight from behind a glowing screen.
5. Support vs. Charity
Small businesses aren’t charities, and they don’t need pity purchases or performative receipts on Instagram stories. They thrive on genuine enthusiasm — customers who actually love what they make.
Choose small because the products are better, the experience is personal and the money stays in real communities — not because you feel obliged.
So here’s to a Christmas filled with thoughtful choices, real joy and the brilliant small-but-mighty businesses that make our world deliciously interesting.
Love, Reshmi xoxo
Want to make your festive table sparkle? Our Christmas cakes are ready to bring the magic.
Josh
March 28, 2022
Truth is. Until the last few weeks I have been a die hard small business supporter. And a fool. I have had entirely too many rude small business employees talk to me in a derogatory way or provide crappy customer service. On top of jacked up prices.
The straw that broke my back one week ago was an employee ridiculing my choice of soap as I suffer from being allergic to many soaps with scents and that includes organic. He rudely mentioned. I guess you will bring that back too for a refund. I replied, Skin allergies are nothing to mock and people every day go into shock or hives from such conditions.
And I have been happy with my pure Glycerin soap for 3 months with no complaints. Then I told him would you prefer me to bring back 15 bars of soap that costs me over $2.20 each and just go to Wall Mart and buy the same thing for half that price?
He stated. I just want you to be happy and whatever works for you. I finished off with the reply what works for me is to show some respect to your long time 7 year customers instead of hurling insults in front of other customers/employees causing me embarassment without provocation on my part.I was pissed the hell off. But kept my cool.
Let’s just say. I finally grew up and decided to do Amazon and Wall Mart and quit supporting small business. I got no problem saving money for other stuff and at least Wall Mart treat me with some dignity.