The holiday rush is on here in North Carolina. To take the stress out of last-minute holiday shopping, we put together a guide to our favorite locally made gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Still need a Christmas tree? We’ve got you covered there, too, with some of our favorite Christmas tree farms from across the state.
Where to Buy the Best Holiday Gifts in North Carolina
We all know that many gifts can be purchased with just a click from many big box online retailers, but we love the idea of finding unique NC-made and sold gifts that can be a joy to both buy and give. Browse our favorite North Carolina gifts below, and be sure to let us know where you’re shopping locally this holiday season!
Where to Buy the Best Holiday Gifts in Charlotte
The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary
The Pauline Tea-Bar is an herbal tea lounge based on the idea of unplugging and tuning in, to self and each other.
The two Charlotte locations intentionally do not have wi-fi. What they do have are aromatherapy suites, whimsical teapots, artisanal pastries and of course, high quality, loose herbal teas.
Owner Sherry Waters, a community chaplain, cheerfully provides tea consultations based on customers’ inclinations and health needs and imbues the atmosphere with a quiet joy.
Social Status
Originally from Pittsburgh, fashion entrepreneur James Whitner launched his streetwear journey in 2005 with Flava Factory in Charlotte. Whitner opened Social Status in Charlotte in 2011 and now has over a dozen stores across the country.
Social Status made news in 2020 after Vice President Kamala Harris, while on a campaign stop in Charlotte, purchased a pair of custom Converse sneakers. However, the shop sells everything from t-shirts to slippers and features both name brands and local designers.
Ebony Wine and Spirits
Camillya Masunda launched North Carolina’s only Black woman-owned wine company in September 2020, and the brand’s popularity has surged thanks to its quality and her commitment to a fun, open-door approach to wine. A red fusion, sparkling white, rosé and moscato are some of the offerings, and the company ships nationwide.
“Whether you consider yourself a wine snob or you are used to buying Barefoot, we want to say, ‘Come on. This wine is for you,’ Masunda said.
SPGBK (Springbreak) Watches
SPGBK Watches is a North Carolina-based designer watch company launched by Fayetteville natives Kwame Molden and Maurice Bolden. The two knew each other long before becoming business partners. They attended the same pre-school, middle school, high school, and HBCU: North Carolina A&T.
SPGBK features a wide array of colorful watches on their online store. You can also find their watches in Macy’s and Nordstrom stores in Charlotte.
Alternative Chef NC
Who wouldn’t love a week off from cooking? Chef Hannah Riley offers a variety of meal delivery options: dinners and lunches, plus a la carte items such as breakfasts, desserts, and snacks. Anti-inflammatory, gluten-free, and vegan menus are available.
Urban Reader Bookstore
Sonyah Spencer sold books for years at festivals and expositions before opening Urban Reader Bookstore in 2021 in Charlotte. The brick-and-mortar indie book shop specializes in African American books, selling new titles, classics and works by self-published authors. The shop also hosts Black Singles Book Club events, open mic poetry, book signings and game nights with trivia, chess, and spades.
Where to Buy the Best Holiday Gifts in Asheville
828 Endurance Community
Two Asheville companies—Fuel Good and Pressio—founded 828 Endurance Community to assist local outdoor and endurance brands impacted by Hurricane Helene. Buy a performance T-shirt, Together We Rise, and 100% of the proceeds will support these efforts.
North Carolina Glass Center
Send a friend to a 30-Minute Make Your Own class at the Hot Shop or stop to purchase glass products like jewelry, ornaments, and vases made by local artists.
Hummingbird Candle Co.
With just $6,000 and “God’s goodness,” Tianna Dean launched Hummingbird, an Earth-friendly candle and fragrance company, in 2019. The woman-owned and woman-employed boutique sells paraben- and phthalate-free coconut wax candles, fragrance oils, and make-at-home candle kits.
READ MORE: This year, support local businesses in WNC & beyond
Where to Buy the Best Holiday Gifts in North Carolina’s Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill)
Greentop Gifts (Raleigh)
Jacquelyn and Shaun Rodgers began creating Christmas decor that their children could relate to from their home in Apex. The venture quickly grew into Greentop Gifts, a company bringing diversity to holiday celebrations with apparel, home decor, and stationery that feature Black faces and cultural touches. Jacquelyn’s more than 13 years of brand marketing experience helped boost the firm into features in O Magazine, Essence, Pop Sugar and Good Housekeeping. Fun find: The jolly Clarence Claus character comes on everything from socks to Crocs charms.
Saint Nicholas Market (Raleigh)
Shop the European Market for gifts and decorative items from Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia/Czech Republic, Germany, Scandinavia, Ireland, and the British Isles. Stop by Baba’s Kitchen (take-home) or Baba’s Cafe (food served hot) for kielbasa, pierogi, homemade sauerkraut, cabbage rolls and more. Enjoy entertainment from carolers, dancers, and The Little German Band. This holiday market will take place Dec. 13-14 at the NC State Fairgrounds.
Quail Ridge Books (Raleigh)
Step into the enchanting world of Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh’s premier destination for bibliophiles of every stripe. Since opening its doors 40 years ago, this esteemed bookstore has been a vibrant venue for fostering connections through books. Quail Ridge Books has made its mark with an inviting atmosphere that feels like stepping into a friend’s cozy living room, where every book holds the promise of a new adventure. That’s why they’re our readers’ favorite bookstore not just in the Triangle region.
Wonderpuff (Durham)
Wonderpuff’s cotton candy masterpieces are a pop of innocent delight in an often harsh world.
The vegan, organic and gluten-free cotton candy–perfect for people with health or religious dietary restrictions–packs a visual punch, much like owner Jackie Morin, with her trademark bright pastel makeup. With the help of husband and business partner Rem Morin, she went from pop-ups and Instagram fame to having a retail location in the newly opened Boxcar RTP. But the sugary delights ship anywhere, and have already gained a cult following.
Bright Black Candles (Durham)
A favorite of none other than Beyoncé, Bright Black Candles was launched with the intent of using candles as a platform to spread positive narratives about Blackness. Founders Tiffany and Dariel Griffin were as shocked as anyone to see their business named on the superstar’s list, posted on Juneteenth 2020, of Black businesses she supports. They had only been in business for a year and while well-received, Bey’s nod sent sales skyrocketing.
Their Diaspora collection is based on five pivotal cities of Black cultural significance, including Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Durham, Kingston (Jamaica), Paris (France) and Salvador (Brasil). The Genres collection is inspired by different types of music. Single candles, mini sets and full sets of each collection are available, as well as other offerings.
The Scrap Exchange (Durham)
If you’re on a budget, combine gifting with thrifting at The Scrap Exchange, our readers’ favorite Triangle thrift store.This place is far from your run-of-the-mill second-hand shop. Imagine stepping into a world where creativity knows no bounds, and every item tells a story. That’s The Scrap Exchange for you, a playground for the imagination.
Hawthorne & Wood (Chapel Hill)
Hawthorne & Wood is a beacon of fine dining, captivating both locals and visitors with its sophisticated charm and culinary excellence. This esteemed establishment has mastered the delicate balance of offering an upscale dining experience while maintaining an atmosphere of warmth and inclusiveness. At Hawthorne & Wood, the menu is a celebration of modern American cuisine, thoughtfully prepared with the finest seasonal ingredients. Each dish is a testament to the chefs’ creativity and dedication, aiming to transcend traditional dining expectations. It’s our readers’ favorite Chapel Hill restaurant, and a gift card would make a great gift for any foodie on your list.
The Carolina Inn Holiday Market
Experience the charm of a European-style holiday market with Southern flair at The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. On December 15, the inn’s front porch will transform into a festive shopping destination featuring hand-crafted gifts like jewelry, ornaments, and chocolates.
READ MORE: 30 holiday events across North Carolina’s Piedmont in 2024
North Carolina’s Best Holiday Gifts to Buy Online
Cardinal & Pine Merch
You can stuff a stocking and support local journalism at the same time by buying swag from Cardinal & Pine. We’ve got you covered with three awesome t-shirts in a variety of sizes.
Wrapper’s Delight
Greensboro’s Xavier and Brooke Carrington founded Wrapper’s Delight to provide representation in every detail of the holiday season.
The store has gift wrap and apparel featuring Black Santas, plus fleece blankets, socks, mugs, greeting cards and gift tags.
Show & Tell
Founded in 2011, Show & Tell Concept Shop is an online store that specializes in unique and vibrant locally-made clothing, accessories, home goods, health and beauty products, and decor.
Alyah’s recommended gifts: Iyoba Artisan Soap, CanDid Art Earrings, Quilts (handmade by her mother), and Kaleidoscope Greeting Cards.
Entrepreneurs Color Too
Raleigh native Latoya Nicole uses her master’s degree in counseling and psychology to put her own twist on adult coloring books. Entrepreneurs Color Too promotes self-care and stress relief while showcasing women of all ages in each book.
The shop sells paperback books on Amazon and individual coloring pages are available for digital download, as well. Check out their holiday-themed coloring book and the bestselling 24 Shades of Business.
Big Spoon Roasters
This husband-and-wife-owned nut butter company will knock the socks off anyone with a taste for nuts. Flavors such as gingerbread crunch, almond and pecan butter, and lemon cookie cashew butter are gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. They do not contain palm oil and use only bee-friendly almonds. Plus, many of Big Spoon Roasters’ products are vegan and free of refined sugars.
Axe & Awl Leatherworks
This husband-and-wife team makes handmade leather goods such as bags, belts, keychains, padfolios, and wallets.
Doug Bowman Galleries
Is home decor on your list of gifts to buy? Order decorative night lights, lamps, copper lampshades, and rustic wine cabinets, all crafted by Doug Bowman.
Pure Ritual
Nina Kawar creates porcelain metaphysical tools, sculptures, and one-of-a-kind copper and gemstone jewelry for healers and seekers to foster self-awareness.
READ MORE: These 16 Black-owned NC businesses will amp up your holiday gift game
Billy Ball’s Favorite NC Gifts to Give
We couldn’t put together a list like this without asking Cardinal & Pine’s senior community editor, Billy Ball, for his gifting picks. Here’s what he said:
The Best Christmas Tree Farms in North Carolina
There’s more to shop for than just gifts. In case you still need a fresh Christmas tree, we’ve rounded up some of the best farms in the state.
Cranberry Tree Farm
Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary
Triangle residents will appreciate the fact that this local Christmas tree retailer only sells North Carolina-grown trees grown on their very own tree farm. Another selling point? Varieties include Fraser fir, Concolor fir, White pine, and Blue spruce Christmas trees, all of which range in height from two to 14 feet. They also offer wreaths and fresh garland, plus three area locations: Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Cary.
Appalachian Christmas Mountain Farms
7177 US Hwy 421, Boone
Located in the heart of the High Country, this family-owned and operated farm offers the quintessential “choose and cut” experience with its homegrown Fraser firs, available in sizes from tabletop all the way up to 12 feet. Smaller kids will love choosing their own tree on the “Little Tykes Choose’ NCut” field, and the entire family will enjoy the festive hay ride.
