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Natali Carrera

Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her nine-year-old son, husband of 14 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works full time with ValleyPBS as their Director of Educational Services and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.

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Latest posts by Natali Carrera (see all)

• Need a birthday party idea for your tween or teen? Check out Metalmark Climbing Gym! - July 19, 2019
• The Brioche Lady’s Brick & Mortar Location Brings French Breakfast Dreams to Life - July 11, 2019
• Newcomer Lincoln Pub & Grub Proving a Popular Spot in Tower with $5 Menu - June 27, 2019

We’re all familiar with the frenzy that is Black Friday, but how many of us are familiar with Small Business Saturday?

Small Business Saturday is a movement to support local business owners during the biggest shopping weekend of the year by purchasing holiday gifts the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

With so many great local businesses here in Fresno, I wanted to round up a suggested shopping list to help make participating in Small Business Saturday easy and fun, and to help you find fabulous and unique gifts for everyone on your nice list this holiday season.

1. Ooooby Box

We live in the middle of the nation’s fruit basket! Let’s enjoy that fully and give fresh, delicious produce to our loved ones with an Ooooby Box subscription, or even a single delivery of local fruits and veggies. With Ooooby, you can choose to subscribe to receive a weekly or bi-weekly box of fresh produce and even pause your subscription or substitute/add items as you need to. All items in the box are sourced from local farmers and support Valley agriculture, plus, they’re super fresh and picked at their peak. Check out the box sizes and pricing here, and read more about Ooooby in this FresYes interview.

2. Crate Republic

Love the local food subscription box idea, but want more than fruits and vegetables? Crate Republic is a double win: You get to support a local business (Crate Republic is locally owned) as well as other California-based businesses, as Crate Republic boxes feature fantastic artisan foods from across the state! How does bacon chipotle jam sound? Or maple bacon jerky? Does handmade peanut butter taffy excite your taste buds? If so, Crate Republic may be the perfect gift for you. Err… I mean, people you want to buy a gift for, of course. Shop for monthly box subscriptions or individual items here.

3. Styled by Mon Amie

Have a fashion lover in your life? Or, someone who frequently says, “I have nothing to wear!” or “I have no clue how to put together outfits”? If so, a Styled by Mon Amie gift certificate may be the perfect choice! Styled by Mon Amie offers in-home wardrobe optimization (think: all clothing, shoes, and accessories organized and easy to look through, and made that way by someone else who LOVES doing it) and personal styling sessions (Styled by Mon Amie creates flattering, easy-to-wear and great-looking outfits specifically for her clients using clothing they already own) at affordable prices.

This is the perfect gift for the lady in your life that deserves to feel confident in her own skin each day, but maybe struggles with self-esteem. Styled by Mon Amie selects each outfit to best flatter the wearer’s body type, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Purchase a gift certificate for a service or service package through the Styled by Mon Amie website here or visit the Facebook page and see client photos here, and check out my profile on this local service here.

Styled by Mon Amie owner Vanessa Castaneda is ready to help your gift recipient look and feel their best

4. Mr. Steam Clean

If your gift recipient is someone who feels most pampered by acts of service and practicality, consider the gift of freshly steam-cleaned carpets! Yes, it’s a bit of an unconventional choice, but when I mentioned recently that we were having our carpets cleaned, several of my friends said how much they’d love to do that before (or in some cases after) the holidays, and also have someone do that for them as a gift. I’ve used Mr. Steam Clean, a locally owned, family-run carpet cleaning business, for several years and they do a fantastic job at an incredibly reasonable price. Contact them directly to purchase the service for someone else (or yourself!) here.

5. The Foundry

For the person on your list who loves fine stationary (think Rifle Paper Co), candles (like the insanely wonderfully scented Capri Blue line), Anthropologie-style clothing and jewelry, and beautiful, shabby chic and vintage home décor, you’ll want to shop The Foundry in Old Town Clovis. Check out their Instagram for a taste of what they have to offer here and read our FresYes profile here.

6. Dale Bros. Coffee

For even more beautiful jewelry and accessories, and really fun, vintage-y desk accessories, t-shirts, tanks, and more, check out Dale Bros. Coffee in Downtown Fresno. Not only is Dale Bros. a great place to grab a tasty latte, it’s also a wonderful, local place to shop for unique and special gifts. If you shop on Small Business Saturday, you’ll receive a $5 coffee gift card for every $50 you spend, and gift wrap is FREE! Dale Bros. is located on P street next door to Gorilla Quesadilla. (Grab a quesadilla for lunch while you’re there—shop local, eat local, right?) For complete info, visit Dale Bros. online here and check out my review of this recently opened shop here.

7. Raphio Chocolate

Do you have a true chocolate lover in your life? Do they appreciate pure, delicious dark chocolate? If so, they’ll love a gift of artisan chocolates from Raphio Chocolate. My personal recommendation is the Nicaragua bars or the Peppermint Chocolate—a perfect choice for the holiday season. Raphio Chocolate is of the highest quality, and made right here in Fresno. Learn more on their website or in my FresYes article in which I toured the chocolate factory (one of my favorite FresYes experiences of all time).

Raphio Chocolate wrapped and ready for gifting

8. Lanna Coffee Co.

For the coffee lover in your life, consider the gift of artisan coffee sourced from Thailand and meticulously roasted and packaged just for you by Fresno-based Lanna Coffee Co. When you give Lanna Coffee, not only are you giving a delicious, smooth and perfected coffee, but you’re also helping to provide clean water for people in Thailand through Lanna’s humanitarian work in the area from which they harvest. Complete win-win. You can purchase Lanna Coffee at multiple locations throughout Fresno (check here for a complete list) as well as online.

Lanna Coffee for sale at The Revue in the Tower District

9. Boxy Girl

For the makeup and/or organization junkie in your life, check out Boxy Girl, a locally owned and operated business offering high-end acrylic makeup and craft organizers sure to please not only makeup artists and crafters, but anyone who loves to see their collection neatly on display. Be sure to check their site for discount codes, which are offered generously this holiday season.

Don’t see your favorite local business on this list? Add it to the comments, and make sure to give them a visit this Saturday!