Disclaimer: All of these ideas are my own and I am not recieving any compensation for sharing about these businesses. I also am not affiliated with any of the businesses listed, so if you make a purchase and run into issues, please speak with the company directly! This is just a collection of locally-owned businesses that I have purchased items at or met over the years.
The holidays may look different for everyone this year, but one thing that a global pandemic can't take away is the spirit of the holidays! It's always a time of togetherness and giving, no matter where you are or who you are with. Meaningful gifts are always a wonderful way to share love and let someone know that you are thinking of them, and I'll share some fun and useful tips to incorporate local items that they will actually use this Holiday season!
Locally crafted goods are a great way to support your local farms and artisans during the holiday season! And thankfully, there are so many great local businesses that it's easy to find a gift for just about anyone on your list! While this list is specific to South Carolina, I encourage you to take these ideas and find local businesses in your area outside of SC as well! As always, if you need help figuring out where to turn to find a list of local businesses, please reach out!
Here is a comprehensive list of some gift ideas for every single person on your list! Many of the businesses mentioned are linked to their website to make it easy for you to complete your holiday shopping! These are just some of the many great local businesses that you can support through your holiday shopping and I hope that this list gets your creative juices flowing so that you can gift like a pro this season!
Self Care Package The gift of at home self care is always a great option for just about anyone! Who wouldn't love a hand picked basket of various soaps, soaks and fuzzy socks! As pictured, this package can be as simple or elaborate as you want it! Thankfully, there are lots of great small businesses out there that make soap and body care products to fit any need like this unscented vegan soap by Andrea B, or if you are in the mood for fun colors and scents check out the Garden Soapery! Top the package off with some locally crafted chocolate bars from Agape Chocolates for the perfect gift!
Tea Lover's Pair some local honey with locally grown teas and you've got a perfect gift for the tea lover on your list! From wonderful herbal teas like Mia's Secret Garden to classic black tea from the Charleston Tea Plantation, there is a little bit of everything here in South Carolina! Not from South Carolina? Check out Etsy for local tea growers in your area!
Art This is another wonderful way to incorporate some local flavor into your holiday gifts! With so many talented local artists, it's a gift sure to please anyone! A SC classic artist that just about everyone has hanging in their home is Ernest Lee or better known as the "Chicken Man". His chicken paintings are sure to add a touch of SC flair to any home! For a more eclectic and fun piece of art to gift, check out the metal art by John Donahue over at Ideas in Metal.
Coffee Lover's Is there any better gift than a hot, bold cup of coffee in the morning? Try the bold dark roast from Loveland Coffee or the "Pumpkin Pie blend" from Iron Brew Coffee. Pack it nicely with a gorgeous mug handmade by a local artisan, like these from Donovan Pottery and you've got an awesome gift!
For the Philanthropist There are so many great causes that you can donate to for that hard-to-buy-for person in your life! Consider some of these fun but impactful gifts: Adopt a dolphin in honor of your recipient from the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network, purchase an honorary portion of the Palmetto Trail or a membership to the Foothills Trail, sponsor holiday meals for those in need through the Oliver Gospel Mission, provide meals for families in need in the community by choosing to sponsor up to a year's worth of food through the Lowcountry Food Bank, sponsor a young parent through their education by donating to Little Steps and help a local family thrive! There are lots of great ways to have fun with what you donate, and if you prefer donating to a charity that does not offer a certificate or something for your recipient, reach out to the organization and see if they can print a quick letter or certificate!
Dog Lover's Bundle Ah, man's best friend, we can't forget about those four legged friends or maybe your recipient is an avid dog lover. Either way consider purchasing locally made dog treats, like these from Nieci's Green Bites and pairing it with a stylish collar or bandana from Wag More Pets. It's a gift that any dog lover will surely treasure, because who doesn't love to see their fur baby all decked out and well fed!
Wellness Bundle Everyone is a little more conscious of their health in a year like 2020, so give the gift of a local wellness bundle packed with elderberry syrup from the Honest Elderberry Co. , bee pollen from Edisto Gold Honey and local honey from your local apiary! Check your small, independently owned health food store to see if they carry some of these products as well!
For the Garden Most avid gardeners already have a lot of the supplies and plants that they need, but try gifting one of those WOW plants that people normally wouldn't purchase for themselves! Check out your independently owned nursery for ideas on some unique plants to gift––like some airplants from the Gardner's Outpost! Some other fun options would be giving the gift of home-grown citrus with a citrus tree from Simply Citrus Nursery or a fun piece of moss art to bring the outdoors inside with a piece from Magnolia Thyme
Grill Master We all know that one person that wants to grill just about every piece of meat or vegetable that comes through their kitchen and if it's not grilling, then they are smoking some new meat! Give them the gift of delicious seasonings to try out on the "barbie" this year with some White Wolf Rubs!
Practical Gifts Who doesn't love a practical gift? From coasters to pens, there are lots of options from local crafters that can serve as both a practical and fun gift! This is really an open category, ranging from anything that you feel is useful for everyday! It could be a new apron from A Stitch of Faith or some salt for the table from Bulls Bay Saltworks. Maybe your recipient needs a new glass pitcher for serving water like this hand painted magnolia pitcher by HK Glassworks. Whichever way you look at practical, there are plenty of options around! Also, be sure to scan your Facebook feed for any friends that may be selling their personal crafts this year!
Local Food Gifts Consider giving the gift of local food this holiday season! Many farmer's offer gift certificates around this time of year! Check out Hidden Hills Farms if you are in the midlands, with their special holiday offer of 10% off gift cards! Contact your local farmer to see if they offer a CSA box gift as well!
For the Bookworm The gift of getting lost in a good book! Whether you are shopping for the history lover or romance enthusiast. Check out the selections of local authors through your locally owned bookstore like the infamous Nevermore Books in Beaufort SC. For riveting local dramas, be sure to check out some of the favorites by Pat Conroy! Gift cards and certificates to locally-owned shops are always a great idea as well!
Fashionable Gifts For the fashionable ladies in your life consider the gift of a beautiful handcrafted wallet or purse to accessorize the perfect outfit! From the beautiful leather stylings of Nana By Sally to the fun prints of Spartina 449 handbags, there's something perfect for every fashionista on your list!
Perfect Accessories Want to add to that fashionable handbag and looking for the perfect accessory? Or Would you rather gift some beautifully handcrafted jewelry instead? Either way, jewelry is a perfect gift for the holiday's and thankfully, there are a lot of incredibly talented artisans out there! If you're looking for upscale and elegant jewelry, check out the stylings of Pixie Handmade. If you're looking for something more heartfelt and sentimental, check out these neck tie necklaces that re-use a loved one's old tie in a new and fashionable way from Remnant Jewelry. Don't forget to check your friend's list on Facebook as well, you just might have an artist in your circle already that you can purchase from!
Cookbook This is always a great gift whether someone likes to cook or is a culinary genius already! It's so satisfying to flip through a brand new cookbook and gather inspiration! There are so many talented chefs in South Carolina and you can find a cookbook for whatever style of cooking you're interested in! Got a larger budget and want to include a WOW item with your cookbook? Include a Smithey Cast Iron Skillet that was hand-forged in Charleston! Talk about making an impression, plus it can be passed down for generations just like the cookbooks!
Men's Fashion For the fashionable man in your life, check out the ever-stylish feather bowtie from Brackish Bowties in Charleston SC! If it's good enough for Bill Murray, than it's probably good enough for the man in your life! These can easily be paired with some amazing smelling, all-natural men's products like a shave set from Penny's Naturals.
Craft Bundle Have someone that loves to knit or crochet on your list? Check out this veteran owned farm that hand spins all of their specialty yarn! J & E Homestead offers yarn, classes and much more for that crafty person in your life!
New Baby Bundle Oh sweet bundle of joy! If you've got a new baby on your gift list, try a unique gift of a Covered in Cotton baby blanket made of 100% SC grown cotton and spun right here as well! Pair it with some lavender room spray from Twin Creek's Lavender Farm for baby or the sleep deprived parents! Got older kids to buy for or interested in adding a cute outfit to the gift bundle? Check out Soda City Sewing for some locally sewn children's clothing and smocks!
Spice Lover's Bundle Do you have that hard to buy for person? Do they just so happen to love spicy sauces and marinades? There is always room in someone's pantry for a finger lickin' good sauce or marinade! Some of the tastiest creations I've had from local artisans is the "Hab Mussy" Mustard barbecue from Lilies of Charleston. Wow, that sauce sure does pack a punch and it's great on anything! For marinades, try the unique flavors of Burnt & Salty marinades like the Coconut Suka! YUM! And lastly, for the oyster lovers out there, try gifting some Mother Shuckers it's sure to be a hit at the next gathering!
Beer or Liquor Enthusiast The rise of the craft beer scene has come with so many awesome perks, the most obvious is the abundance of locally crafted goodness! No matter where you go in the state, you are sure to find a local brewery that has a unique taste all to its own. For the lowcountry, check out Munkle Brewing, the midlands has River Rat Brewery and the upstate boasts RJ Rockers Brewery just to name a small few areas! Be sure to check these places out for yourself (if you are over 21) to buy an assortment of beer for the beer enthusiast in your life! Many locally owned liquor stores also carry a good selection of craft beer for you to choose from, but I'd suggest visiting the brewery so that you can pair it with some of their branded swag as well!
Pre-made Gift Baskets Looking for a wow gift but just don't have the time to put it together? Have a talented local shop do all of the hard work for you with local gift baskets featuring some amazing local products! Check out Swamp Rabbit Cafe's collection of amazing baskets if you are in the upstate area or Uptown's local basket in the midlands,
Unique DIY Gifts Did someone say kombucha? Give the gift of brewing your own delicious fermented tea this year! Pair with some locally grown tea from the Charleston Tea Plantation and an at home brew kit from lowcountry staple, One Love Kombucha, for a fun and unique gift!
Artesian Cheese Board For the cheese lover on your list, create a appetizing spread of local flavors by pairing a savory jam like Southern Keep's Blueberry Vanilla Jam with Clemson Blue Cheese. If you have a little more room in your budget, check out Seth in Stone's granite SC cheeseboard to pull it all together!
Restaurant Lover's Bundle It's always a great idea to give the gift of a night out on the town! There are so many fabulous locally-owned restaurants in South Carolina highlighting the works of our many talented chefs! Make sure to grab a gift certificate or gift card to a small, local restaurant this year! For farm to table, check out Juniper Cafe or for a fancy night out of the town in Charleston, check out Circa 1886. If you're looking for a fun experience, check out Crave Market in Columbia SC or Swamp Rabbit Cafe in Greenville.
Young Reader or Explorer For the young adventurer's in your life that have way too many toys to begin with, try gifting a membership or a daily family pass to your local zoo, aquarium, or children's museum! If you are looking for a young reader and from South Carolina, there are a number of great books written about the state as well!
Whew, are your creative juices flowing with ideas on how you can incorporate more locally made items this year! I really loved coming up with this list and remembering all of the wonderful local businesses I've purchased from throughout the years! I hope that you will consider supporting local businesses over big box stores this holiday season!
So, how are you going to give the gift of local this year?
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