My absolute favorite article to write each year is my North Carolina holiday gift guide that highlights makers, artisans, and other creatives across my home state. One of the reasons I enjoy writing about North Carolina is getting to share the best of the people and our traditions from around the state. Stay tuned for more holiday travel inspiration coming soon and follow along on my 100 county journey here.
The 2022 North Carolina Holiday Gift Guide
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One of my favorite reasons for writing this annual post is to highlight local businesses, and I absolutely love the mission of Anna’s SimplyNCGoods subscription box. Each quarter, she compiles a gift box with 5-6 locally made items. These are from a small town for subscribers to experience and find more local businesses to support! Use code FIXINTO when you check out for a discount. So far, Anna has highlighted Winston-Salem and Boone businesses. Anna and I share the fact that she was born and raised in North Carolina. Also, with her parents and grandparents. She’s originally from Yadkinville and now calls Pilot Mountain home.
Earrings
Last year, I received a pair of these earrings from my dear friend for the holiday. I was a history major in both undergrad and for my master’s degree. My love started in 3rd grade with Abraham Lincoln, so these are a treasured item. There are several other options including these pictured with “Liberty” in Sojourner Truth’s handwriting, women of history options, glass ceiling earrings, and neon!
Golden Leaf Apparel
A mutual friend of mine recently started a Triangle themed apparel company, Gold Leaf Apparel. James sent me this write-up about his company: What I realized is that a lot of the Raleigh based apparel comes across as a little cheesy and it is hard for people who live here to wear is sometimes. I guess I’m referring to the “beer and BBQ” tshirts I’ve seen in some stores. So, I sought out to make classic, traditional tshirts with a true connection to Raleigh.
When you look at our designs, each of them have been pulled from somewhere in our city. Whether it is the backside of the Raleigh flag, a soda bottle, a billboard or a even a cotton mill. All of our designs are “hidden in plain sight.” I love this so much, especially the fact that the brand is incorporating local history. There are great stocking stuffer ideas, like stickers and hats as well.
Candle from Souther Elegance Candle Company
I have long been a fan of Southern Elegance Candle Company‘s holiday fragrances, and this year, I was introduced to other fragrances from them as well. This locally, black, female-owned company is based in Raeford and have a retail store in Fayetteville. All the parts that go into making these candles are sourced locally in North Carolina as well. The owner, D’Shawn Russell, grew up in a small North Carolina town and is the epitome of a Southern belle.
Furbish Studio is a Raleigh-based shop and I love her shop for all gift things, especially her embroidered pillows and these matchbook prints. There is a Poole’s Diner one for your friend(s) who are as obsessed with Poole’s as we are!
Marcie Cohen Ferris gathers a constellation of leading journalists, farmers, chefs, entrepreneurs, scholars, and food activists–along with photographer Baxter Miller– to offer a deeply immersive portrait of North Carolina’s contemporary food landscape in Edible North Carolina: a Journey Across a State of Flavor.
Big Delicious Brand’s Original Hot ‘Cue Dip
The holidays are here and the Big Delicious Brand’s Original Hot ‘Cue Dip is the perfect one to have at your holiday parties, for hostess gifts, or a little gift box of North Carolina themed gifts. The sausage dip is equally as delicious. Though I am partial to the hot ‘cue dip given my love of eastern NC BBQ.
Another gift to consider including in a little gift box, hostess gift, or to have at your holiday gatherings are Piedmont Pennies! The original is my personal favorite, though I am looking forward to spicy chipotle pennies as well!
I always love a good neck party from Twine and Twig for the holidays and beyond! This set is absolutely beautiful and can be worn all together for a statement or individually to dress up more casual items.
One of my favorite North Carolina authors, Kristy Woodson Harvey, has a new book coming out in 2023. Pre-order her book, which is sure to be a great beach read. Also, if you are looking for a book to read for the holidays, her Christmas in Peachtree Bluff is a good one!
And a bonus! Our dear family friend, Jeff, recently wrote another novel, The Last Hurrah. This fictional novel is the perfect addition to a stocking or gift for your favorite sports lover!
For more North Carolina gift ideas, check out this page!
