A few months ago, I entered a Hobby Lobby for the first time.
And I what I saw absolutely shocked me.
Maybe you are already aware of this, but I was not. And what is happening in this corner of the retail world is nothing short of extraordinary.
On a whim (and a small budget), I wandered in to help decorate the church nursery. (I’m the children’s ministry director and wanted to spice up the walls.)
I was blown away.
First of all, and not at all least important, can we talk about the cuteness level of this stuff???
Nailed it.
It almost reminds me of another store I once loved, where you get the feeling someone’s been reading your mind, and stalking your Pinterest boards, thinking your design thoughts before you think them.
This stuff is creative, trendy, and adorable.
But that’s not all.
As I wandered from aisle to glorious aisle, I was floored.
The Scripture.
And I don’t just mean some generic “faith, hope and love” plaques. I’m talking wall art that speaks to the deep, core truths of our faith.
Truthfully, I was as shocked as I was touched.
In plastering their space with these truths of the Christian faith, these company execs are no doubt alienating some of their potential customers. Making some feel uncomfortable. Hobby Lobby, after all, is not a Christian bookstore, or a random stand at some Christian convention.
It is a mainstream retail home decor store.
And they have chosen, despite the potential loss to the profit margin, to be boldly religious. To speak the truth of the Gospel. And by the way, to be closed on Sunday so employees can rest! (Such a big shopping day!!)
But there is one more thing.
Thank you, Hobby Lobby, from the bottom of my very frugal heart, for not costing a bazillion dollars. Both times I’ve made purchases at Hobby Lobby, it was the wonderful “50% off all wall art” promotion that evidently runs every few weeks.
As if it were possible to be more excited about my beautiful purchases (some for church, some for home), I was literally giddy with the bargains I was sneaking out with. (My husband did not quite understand my near-euphoric level of excitement. Weird.)
But seriously – beautiful, inspirational pieces for a fraction of what you might pay for just the frame at other places.
Scripture print, $8.
large metal wall art, $10.
framed Scripture print, $9.
Like I said, can you hardly buy a frame for this cost?
Over the past year, I’d gotten really motivated to fill my home with inspiration and Scripture. Prior to that, my walls had been uncomfortably blank. I kept entering Joanna Gaines’ Instagram remodel contests, but alas, would you believe 772,455 other people did, too?? #unfair.
But I just keep thinking it: I want my kids (and all who enter) to be overwhelmed with reminders of God’s love, and with beauty. After all, we only spend 23.5 hours a day looking at this place. Might as well be inspirational!
I was able to spread these beauties all over our home, without feeling like I was selling my soul and budget to who-knows-where via some vague retail giant.
As I have learned so powerfully this year, where we spend our money matters.
I get it – these days, it’s nearly impossible to spend every last dine at institutions you believe in. We have real-life cell phone bills, and mortgages, and you just can’t fill the entire pantry at a local produce stand. I get it.
But often, we do have a choice.
And I am making mine. If I need a home item – Hobby Lobby. Craft supplies? Hobby Lobby? Gifts? Watch out, people on my Christmas list!!!
We cannot control so much in our world. Yet, we do have choices.
Hobby Lobby, you’ve made your choices, and I applaud them.
And now? I’m taking my money, and I’m making mine.
~
Friends, Hobby Lobby has weathered controversy and adversity for their business decisions. If you appreciate their products and business model, let’s show them support! I know it’s painful, but this might mean some trips into their stores. It’s rough doing the right thing sometimes. 😉 Spread the word about Hobby Lobby – share this post.
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Hobby Lobby is my go to place….my very favorite place to buy classy decorator pieces, beautiful gifts and wonderfully expressive cards, all at the right price….I also love shopping to Christian music playing in the background.
Love your article on Hobby Lobby! The store also sells books by the man who started this store from his garage!
I love Hobby Lobby too! They have been bold in their faith and are from my home state.
The owners’ son started the Christian bookstore Mardel’s. That is another great place to get homeschooling supplies, Christian music, books and children’s toys.
They also are involved in the construction of the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. =)
This is my FAVORITE post you’ve written. Totally agree with everything you said.
I had not ever been to a Hobby Lobby, either, until the God-haters attempted to destroy them over the abortion mandate in Obamacare. I determined that any company with that much moxie and backbone deserved a visit from my pocketbook! Lol
Like you, I was impressed by the excellence and warmth of the store displays, the quality of the products, and the great value.
Thanks for spreading the word. Hobby Lobby did us all a favor in standing their ground against political abuse aimed at all Believers. They deserve our support.
Yep! I love Hobby Lobby too! Their prices are great and it is so nice to be able to get cute wall art with such wonderful messages. One of my favorite new Hobby Lobby pieces is a small sign I put up in our kitchen that says “Look At Faces Not Devices”. Perfect.
Yes, I LOVE Hobby Lobby. Their wall art is always priced so well but so trendy too. More importantly, like you, I love the scripture and hymn references. My kids sing the Doxology while they brush their teeth, so my most recent Hobby Lobby purchase was a sign for the bathroom with the first line of the Doxology on it. Perfect!
I did notice that and I thank them too for starting towards the right direction. Like you said, it’s like they took our thoughts. These are the types of wall decor I’m looking to fill up my walls with. We have teach our kids to stay humble.
This is all well and good, and I love that they have courage enough to share this with their customers. It is not offensive, and it’s family friendly. I can’t complain about that.
What I have complained about bitterly is what they did inside of our legal system. They managed to get rights that before were only afforded to THE LIVING AND BREATHING of this world, assigned to a CORPORATION!
I do not disagree with religious freedom.
I disagree with any corporation having RIGHTS that do not belong to BUSINESS. They have made Hobby Lobby alive in a way.
Though I do not agree or disagree with their religious affiliations, I disagree with the right they have won for the CORPORATION to make decisions for employees that are not theirs to make, through what is allowed to be offered, or not available, in their health insurance policy. Health care options are between a person and their God. It should not be dictated by lawmakers, corporations, or any other entity that is not directly effected (not enough to just be sad about it or feel bad) by that individuals choices.
Our government has assured all of it’s citizens certain rights and freedoms. It should NEVER be up to a corporation which of those rights and freedoms it should be observed or ignored…. regardless of the religious affiliation of the business owner.
I have said my piece, my boy-cot on HOBBY LOBBY is permanent, and NO I am not willing to debate it.
Do you boycott Walmart for purchasing products made by slave labor that forces children to work up to 20 hours a day and pays $37 per month? I would hope your love of religious freedom would not outweigh your hatred of child abuse so you can purchase more cheaply.
I do love Hobby Lobby… but I hate that they buy so much of what they sell from China… and in so doing put American workers and crafters out of business because… there is absolutely no way to sell as cheaply and make a profit as when you buy from China. I truly wish they would make that change and support the American work force instead of China (which in no way is Christian).
Walmart products are mostly made in China as well…do you feel the same about them? Look at where most of their seafood products are from, Asian countries that do not have the same food safety standards.
I love Hobby Lobby, BUT those low prices you love are not necessarily a good thing. I have been doing a lot of research on fair trade and ethical products. Often, the cheapest goods are the ones that are made by laborers who don’t even make enough to support their families. I hope to bring this to the attention of Hobby Lobby at some point. I want them to source their products from the US or from fair trade companies. It may raise their prices, but as Christians, we need to focus less on “cheap” and focus more on doing what is morally right.
THERE IS MORE than enough negetive things in this world to complain about! Not enough things to give Thanks for! We have become a nation of complainers and We The People, Gods children need to start giving more Praise and Heart felt Thanks You’s To those who deserve it including God Thanking Him for Our Many Many Blessings!!! When someone sacrifices anything for the well being for others, How Dare Us To Knit Pick them. Be a people with a greatful and thankful heart. Spend your words on Thankfulness, up lifting words, positive words, stand along side those who do the same and just WATCH how God will bless your life with Great Peace and Great Joy! Wishing Blessings!
I assume you do not shop at Walmart or do not agree with their selling mostly made in china inventory? If you do then you can worry for the same reason you worry about Hobby Lobby. Wherever we shop these days, made in china or wherever is a sad fact.
Thank you thank you thank you for this post. I am an interior decorator and craft lover and most importantly Christian. I usually go to Michaels and AC Moore and Joann’s for crafts (which I still will) but will definitely also support this store. I always wanted to go but never got a chance. I’m also a new blogger and planning to do a blog on where to go for home decor items so I will definitely be visiting Hobby lobby so they can make the list!
With all due respect, your caption of “What is happening at Hobby Lobby (and what you can do about it)” is misleading. I would not have clicked on it if not for that title because I happen to like Hobby Lobby and was afraid it would be an article that was derogatory; I wanted to defend them. However, I was delighted to read your article and the fact that you wrote about the wonderful Christian products they offer. I was surprised by two of the responses that I replied to because I wonder if they shop at Walmart and purchase products from China and other countries that produce these cheap products with child and slave labor. Thank you for a great article.