Meet the Minnesota Makers on Monday unveiled its 2025 “Shop Minnesota” Holiday Gift Guide, which can be accessed for free on the organization’s website. The guide features gift options from 140 shopping venues across Minnesota.

The guide is aimed at Small Business Saturday, the national holiday celebrating small businesses the day after Black Friday, Nov. 29. The goal is to address a “common barrier to shopping local,” per a Meet the Minnesota Makers press release: lack of clarity on where and how to support small businesses.

Michelle M. Sharp, founder of Meet the Minnesota Makers, says about 67% of spending at local businesses stays in the community, compared to 43% for big chains., noting, “This guide makes it easy for Minnesotans to put their values into practice.”

Sixty-eight percent of the businesses included in the guide are woman-owned, 19% are BIPOC-owned, 10% are LGBTQ+-owned, and 10% are based in rural areas. Forty-five percent practice “ethical or local sourcing.” A few featured include Big Stick Studio, Coffeewomple, Du Nord Social Spirits, Gray Duck Candle Company, and Healthy Eating on the Go.

The business listings—ranging across art, artisan goods, beverages, farm products, and more—are accompanied by featured products, retail locations, and upcoming market events. 

Since its inception in 2021, Meet the Minnesota Makers as a platform has highlighted “businesses that source and produce as locally as possible.” Its 2024 guide reached 15,000 people. One business tracked 25 discount code uses that resulted in 18 completed purchases and three repeat customers, the release states. (Newsletter subscribers receive discount codes and maker updates.)

Another goal of the guide is to remain accessible to emerging businesses. Featured businesses are charged $20 for holiday-only listings and $60 for year-round participation. The guide updates throughout the year, for seasons and holidays.