Our holiday gift guide is proudly presented by Diamonds Direct SouthPark. Whether you’re shopping for someone else or looking to treat yourself for making it through 2020, Diamonds Direct SouthPark has got you covered. Check out their holiday gift guide and shop in their showroom or schedule a virtual appointment.
Looking for local gift ideas? Here’s a list of some of the best choices for everyone on your list, all under $100.
Remember, the holidays are stressful, especially in 2020. Be kind to yourself this year and don’t cram all of your shopping into a hellacious spree completed a few days before Christmas. Get a head start now.
(1) Gift cards to local restaurants
Restaurants everywhere took a major hit this year. Purchasing gift cards is one way you can support them.
Price: Varies.
[Related Agenda Story: Now open: 30+ exciting openings from the past six months (yes, even in a pandemic)]
(2) A very 2020 ornament from Girl Tribe
Girl Tribe has a couple of ornaments that are just so 2020 — a dumpster on fire, a roll of toilet paper. They’d make great stocking stuffers or gag gifts.
Price: Starting at $12. Buy
(3) Black Lives Matter mural T-shirt
The city may have reopened the street to traffic, but you can memorialize the mural with this T-shirt. Proceeds go to A Place For Hope, The Bail Project, and Campaign Zero.
Price: $29. Buy
Photo by Spiracle Media for the Agenda. [Related Agenda story: Aerial view of Charlotte’s Black Lives Matter street mural]
(4) Candle from Charlotte Candle Company
Make someone’s space feel extra cozy this holiday season. Choose from scents like Carolina Christmas, Frasier Fir, and Cranberry Woods to infuse their home with a little cheer.
Price: Starting at $8. Buy
Photo courtesy Charlotte Candle Company.
(5) Charlotte-themed mug or tea towel from local artist Evelyn Henson
If you haven’t taken an Instagram picture in front of Evelyn Henson’s Confetti Hearts wall in South End, please turn your Charlottean card in immediately. Gift them some of Henson’s whimsical work with her Charlotte-themed mugs and tea towels.
Price: Mugs are $19.99, tea towels are $24.99. Buy
Photo courtesy Evelyn Henson
(6) One-of-a-kind face mask from Windy O’Connor
Add a punch of color to your keys-phone-wallet-mask routine with a face mask from artist Windy O’Connor.
Price: $20. Buy
(7) Cozy blanket from Thread Talk
These blankets are beautiful, luxurious, and 10 percent of all proceeds are donated to fund critical wish list items at over 2,600 domestic violence shelters nationwide.
Price: Starting at $60. Buy
Photo courtesy Thread Talk.
(8) Gift box from Cloister Honey
Perfect for the at-home chef, cheese board fan, or tea drinker. Not sure what to pick? The gift box holds between three and six jars. Select the contents yourself or choose from suggested pairings.
Price: Starting at $20. Buy
Photo courtesy Cloister Honey.
(9) Charlotte skyline puzzle
Home for the holidays has taken on an entirely new meaning this year, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Pass the time with a puzzle that reveals Charlotte’s stunning cityscapes.
Price: $20-$50 (sale!). Buy
“BoA On Fire,” $40. Photo courtesy Chase Price and Cody Hughes. [Full story: Local photographers start selling 1,000-piece skyline puzzles as revenue drops 75%]
(10) Funky serving board from Cosmic Creativ
Speaking of cheese boards, Cosmic Creativ turns serving boards and trays into works of art. Each hand-poured tray’s design is one-of-a-kind. Go black and blue for hosting Panthers tailgates or get a geode-encrusted board to elevate your next dinner party.
Price: Starting at $28. Buy
(11) Entire quiche from Central Coffee Co.
Let everyone else bring sad veggie trays and cheese plates to your office holiday party. A quiche from Central Coffee is sure to earn major brownie points with your boss.
Price: $21. Buy at their Plaza Midwood or South End location.
(12) Unicorn Slippers from Worthy Figures
The exclusively plus size boutique, which is part of Plaza Midwood’s Charlotte Collective, has chic looks for curvy women — plus accessories for all like these colorful slippers. Essential for quarantine.
Price: $28. Buy
Photo courtesy Worthy Figures.
(13) Gift basket from Reid’s Fine Foods
You’ve got plenty of options to choose from, like the Holiday Tin. It’s cheese straws, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate-covered pecans, peanuts, and Reid’s “Quarantine Mix.” Tasty.
Price: $47.99. Buy
(14) Perfume sampler from Jules & Vetiver
Buying perfume for someone else is risky. Hedge your bets with this sampler. It features five different sprayers and includes a complimentary full bottle upgrade once your sister, mom, or best friend chooses her favorite.
Price: $89. Buy
(15) Gourmet popcorn from It’s Poppin!
Choose from over 60 flavors of kettle corn, including their signature fried chicken kettle corn.
Price: Starting at $7.50. Buy
(16) Loose leaf tea set from Birch Fine Tea
For your friend or family member who would gladly choose tea over coffee will love Birch Fine Tea’s offerings.
Price: $24+. Buy
(17) Monstera Propagation Station from Worthy + Badass
For the person who’s seeking to expand their plant army, this truly is the gift that keeps on giving. Select the station only or choose to add a cutting that works for the desired space.
Price: $25. Buy
(18) Handcrafted bottle of liquor
Whether you’re into gin, vodka, bourbon, or rye whiskey, Doc Porter’s Distillery has you covered in the holiday spirits department. Rum fans will love a bottle from Belmont-based Muddy River distillery. Or go with the newly released 704 Gin from Great Wagon Road Distilling Co., which recently opened in NoDa after years in LoSo.
Price: Varies. Head to your nearest ABC store.
(19) Queen City-inspired T-shirt from 704 Shop
There should be no question about where someone’s from with this gear from 704 Shop. They’ve got items for men, women, and kids, so buy for everyone on your list.
Price: Starting at $30. Buy
(20) Charlotte-focused reading material
Head to Park Road Books or Paper Skyscraper and scoop up a few books by Charlotte authors for friends, family, or coworkers.
- The Elephant in the Room by Tommy Tomlinson, now in paperback
- 52 Small Changes for the Mind by Brett Blumenthal
- 100 Things to Do in Charlotte before you Die by Sarah Crosland
- Kindness and Wonder: Why Mister Rogers Matters Now More Than Ever by Gavin Edwards
Price: Varies. Buy
(21) Fried chicken map from EDIA Map Makers
This thoughtfully curated map is a fried chicken lover’s dream and it includes go-to spots in both NC and SC. EDIA also offers an NC Beer Map, an NC BBQ Map, and a Charlotte Adventure Map. Pick your poison.
Price: $9.99. Buy
(22) Leather wallet from Buffalo Jackson Trading Co.
It’s time to replace your dad or boyfriend’s tattered mess of a wallet. He’ll appreciate it. Buffalo Jackson’s handcrafted, fine leather goods are designed in Matthews. They offer selections for both men and women.
Price: Starting at $37.95. Buy
Agenda related guide: 8 best reasons to visit downtown Matthews
(23) All-natural dog treats from Pet Wants
Win their dog over this holiday season with all-natural, locally made dog treats from Pet Wants Charlotte. They’ve got everything from biscuits to buffalo ears.
Price: Starting at $1. Buy
(24) Hand-drawn cards from Good Postage
Send a holiday card that is definitely display-worthy. Good Postage has all kinds of beautifully hand-drawn paper-goods and stickers. You can shop online or visit their studio located at Camp North End.
Price: $5. Buy
(25) Retro Charlotte tee from Glory Days Apparel
If someone on your list has serious civic pride, let them rep accordingly with gear from Glory Days Apparel. The ultra-soft tees, hoodies, and jackets for guys and girls are sure to win Christmas this year.
Price: Starting at about $25. Buy
Founder JD Harris started Glory Days Apparel in his home garage. The mural behind Harris is painted by local artist Darion Fleming (@daflemingo).
(26) Tub of Queen Charlotte’s Pimento Cheese Royale
Are you really living in the South if you don’t eat pimento cheese? Give it as a gift or bring it to the plethora of parties you have on deck. Queen Charlotte’s got plenty of varieties to choose from, like Her Royal Hotness (made with jalapeños) and Black and Bleu (cracked pepper and blue cheese).
Price: Get a four-pack sampler for $23.96. Buy
(27) Ingredients to re-create the dishes from their favorite restaurants
You meet them for lunch at, like, three places. If Yafo Kitchen and Midwood Smokehouse are on the shortlist, help them recreate some of their favorite flavors at home. Add Midwood Smokehouse’s spice rub or Yafo Kitchen’s spices to their culinary arsenal.
Price: $7.99+.
(28) Artisan gift box from Lily + Grey
Forget a lame fruit basket. Lily + Grey’s gift boxes are ideal for Christmas gift-giving. Each one has a different theme, so you can choose based on the recipient.
Price: Starting at $55. Buy
Photo courtesy Lily + Grey.
(29) Button-down from OMJ
A simple, but stylish, button-down from Ole Mason Jar (OMJ) is the perfect guy gift. Their local shop was recognized at Garden & Gun‘s Made in the South Awards, so you know they’re legit.
Price: Starting at $95. Buy
OMJ also has super classy face masks.
(30) Cheesecake from Jazzy Cheesecakes
Choose from dozens of flavors, or you can also order brownies, cakes, pies, and cobblers.
Price: Starting at $5.99. Buy
Jazzy’s pecan pie flavored cheesecake duo. [Full story: Specialty bakery Jazzy Cheesecakes serves cheesecake in every flavor and form (even inside apples)]
(31) Pack of local Charlotte beer
Beer is king in the Queen City. Pick up a six-pack for the beer connoisseur in your life. Make ’em laugh with Sycamore’s Christmas Cookie winter ale with naughty gingerbread on the label.
Price: Varies.
(32) Concrete planter from A.Grey Design
For the plant parents in your life. These handmade concrete planters come in several sizes, shapes, and colors. Add-on a plant, too.
Price: Starting at $8. Buy
(33) An advent calendar full of cookie cutters from Sweet Spot Studio
This 25-day advent calendar has 24 small cookie cutters – perfect for holiday cookie creations, and one large surprise gift for Christmas day.
Price $100. Buy
Image courtesy Sweet Spot Studio.
(34) Macaron box from Amélie’s
Give the gift of French macarons this holiday season. Amélie’s is offering macaron gift boxes that have an assortment of a dozen of their most popular flavors.
Price: $24. Buy
(35) Soy candles that don’t suck from Pretty Honest Candles
These candles come in scents perfect for the holiday season like blue spruce, winter wonderland, and candy cane lane among others. If you choose to gift one, take the candle quiz to get matched to a candle scent.
Price: Starting at $10. Buy
(36) Cookies from Sweet Girl Cookies
Sweet Girl Cookies are perfect for Santa or the cookie-lover on your list. The Holiday Best of Box is a great option because it includes classic flavors like chocolate chip and dark chocolate sea salt, as well as seasonal flavors like peppermint bark.
Price: Starting at $14.99. Buy
Photo courtesy Sweet Girl Cookies.
(37) Hostess gifts from Society Social
For the person on your list who loves hosting and interior, just about everything in this store is giftable. Go with a chic puzzle ($36), ginger jar ($35.95), or a coffee table book ($16.99+).
Price: Varies. Buy
(38) SkillPop gift card
For your friend who always wants to try something new, give a SkillPop gift card. With SkillPop Anywhere, the recipient doesn’t even need to be in Charlotte.
Prices: $20. Buy
(39) Needlepoint flask from Onward Reserve
From team mascots to cheeky sayings, there’s a design for everyone. We recommend hair of the dog or the Panthers, though.
Price: $65. Buy
(40) iGrill mini from Blackhawk Hardware
The best gifts are a combination of practical and unexpected. If you’ve got someone on your list who likes to grill, this app-connected thermometer checks both boxes.
Price: $74.99. Buy
(41) Gold ring from Golden Carrot
Simple and precious, this ring 14k solid gold rope ring would make the prettiest gift.
Price: $90. Buy
(42) Charcuterie box from Babe & Butcher
They’ve got nine different individual boxes with an assortment of cheese, fruit, chocolate, and meats.
Price: $16-$25. Buy
(43) Loom artwork from Twenty Two West
Handwoven and in an array of colors, these little works of art are great for your design-loving friends.
Price: $75. Buy
Courtesy of Twenty Two West
(44) Dishtowel from cutiePETootie
For people who are pet obsessed, you really can’t go wrong with an adorable pet-themed kitchen towel.
Price: $9.50-$14. Buy
(45) Anything from Addison Weeks
Everything on this site is beautiful (Bri’s Christmas wishlist has a few of these items on it). For the person on your list who loves style and luxury, go with a brass bottle opener ($65), small gold hoops ($65), or a tortoise and brass cocktail set ($95).
Price: Varies. Buy
(46) Beauty products from Tapp Beauty
Gifting little luxuries is how I show love (Bri). For the people on my list who like to feel pretty, I’m making a goodie box with Kenra hair products, Mario Badescu skincare, and some Babe Lash mascara.
Prices: Vary. Many items are under $50. Shop
Looking for more holiday guides in Charlotte? Here’s our where to look at lights, top festive activities, and the full Agenda event board with over 50 events to choose from.
