Every year when the holiday season rolls around, my email inbox explodes with “$10 lotion deals,” “70% off everything,” and “today only” flash sales.
And listen, I get it. We all love a good deal. But somewhere along the way, we stopped asking what it costs to make something — and who’s paying that cost.

We gotta talk about it....

💰 The Truth Behind “Holiday Steals”

Those $10 lotions and $4 candles you see in ads? Most of them are loss leaders — products priced below their actual cost to lure you into a big-box store or website where you’ll spend more later.
That strategy works for billion-dollar corporations that mass-produce overseas.
But for small, handmade businesses like ButterMeBabe — where every product is made, labeled, and packaged by hand — it’s not even close to a fair fight.

While the world is trained to chase discounts, many of us are quietly trying to keep our heads above water in an economy that’s stacked against creators and small producers.

📉 The Economy No One Talks About

Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes this season:

  1. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, tariffs on imported materials from China have averaged nearly 20% since 2018 — which directly impacts small business owners who need packaging and raw materials.
  2. The cost of simple things like shea butter, glass jars, and carrier oils has gone up 8–25% in the last two years.
  3. Inflation is squeezing small businesses, while big retailers offset their costs through mass production and cheap labor.

So while you’re scrolling through “flash sales,” just know — there’s a bigger story unfolding for the small creators who can’t slash prices by 70% without losing everything.

💛 The Ripple Effect of Shopping Small

I know the holidays are hectic and everyone’s trying to stretch their dollars. But every time you support a small business — especially one that handcrafts and ships products directly — your money stays in circulation where it matters.

  1. For every $100 spent at a small business, $68 stays in the local economy, compared to $43 when spent at a major retailer.
  2. Those dollars help pay real people — not shareholders. They keep small makers going and help entire communities thrive.

It’s easy to forget that when you click “Buy Now,” you’re making a choice about which kind of world you want to build — one where everything’s mass-produced for profit, or one where human hands still matter.

🧠 The Psychology of “Discount Culture”

Here’s the thing: those flashing “70% off” banners are designed to trigger your brain’s dopamine loop — the same chemical response that makes us crave social media notifications.
It’s a marketing trick that corporations perfected years ago to make shoppers feel like they’re saving, when really, they’re spending more on low-quality items that’ll get tossed by February.

So this year, I’m inviting you to break the loop.
Buy less. Buy better. Buy from people who actually make what they sell.

✨ Why This Year Matters More Than Ever

According to the U.S. Census Small Business Pulse Survey, over 40% of small businesses saw declining revenue this year. Many of us are fighting inflation, algorithm changes, and rising supply costs — all while trying to keep our dreams alive.

Every single ButterMeBabe order helps me keep creating.
It helps me pay my small suppliers.
It helps me continue formulating bodycare that’s real, clean, and made with care — not cut corners.

When you support a small business, you’re not just buying a product; you’re casting a vote for craftsmanship in a world that’s forgetting what that means.

🧴 What It Really Takes to Make a ButterMeBabe Jar

When you buy from ButterMeBabe, here’s what you’re actually supporting:

-I hand-whip every batch myself, right here in my kitchen.

-I have an extensive sanitization process for all my equipment, bowls, spoons, the jars...much more extensive than larger, production factories. 

-I source ingredients from small to medium ethical suppliers in America, not giant industrial warehouses.

-Each jar is poured, labeled, and sealed by me — with care and detail, not machines.

-And... I ship and package it. 

There’s no factory. No massive production line. Just passion, craftsmanship, and a deep belief that real beauty should still be made by people.

I will be doing discounts; (I am never against a discount to show my appreciation to my consistent customers and to continue driving interest to ButterMeBabe products); however you will see honest discounts. Most small businesses cannot realistically compete with bigger companies when it comes to driving sales at a larger percentage; however, I CAN compete when it comes to quality and intentionally in producing a great product/gift for your family and friends. 

Thank you for choosing real. Thank you for choosing handmade.
Thank you for helping me — and thousands of small creators like me — keep doing what we love.

Because this year, your purchase isn’t just skincare — it’s survival.