Gift guide: 50 gift ideas from Charlotte businesses

Gifts under $25

A bag of coffee from your favorite local shop

Something feels fancy about an artisanal bag of coffee grounds or beans. Give your friends a bag from your favorite shop to bring them joy in the morning.

• Price: Varies.

Go deeper: The best coffee shops for working remotely in Charlotte

Gourmet popcorn from It's Poppin!

Choose from over 60 flavors of kettle corn, including the signature fried chicken kettle corn.

• Price: Starting at $8.

Soy candles from Pretty Honest Candles

Gift the candle-obsessed person in your life a discovery pack from this local retailer, which has various candle scents to choose from.

• Price: Starting at $12.

All-natural dog treats from Pet Wants

Treat a pup with all-natural, locally made dog treats from Pet Wants Charlotte. The retailer has everything from biscuits to buffalo ears.

• Price: Varies.

Hand-drawn cards from Good Postage

Send a holiday card that is display-worthy. Good Postage has all kinds of beautifully hand-drawn paper goods and stickers. You can shop online or visit the studio at Camp North End.

• Price: $6.

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 many parties you have on deck. Queen Charlotte’s got plenty of varieties to pick 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. 

Ingredients to recreate the dishes from a favorite restaurant

Midwood Smokehouse’s spice rub and Yafo Kitchen’s spices are great additions to your friends' culinary arsenal.

• Price: $9.99+.

A pack of local beer from one of Charlotte's best breweries

Beer is king in Charlotte. Pick up a six-pack for the beer connoisseur in your life.

• Price: Varies.

Go deeper: Complete list and map of Charlotte's 30+ local breweries, plus the most popular beer at each

A plant from a local plant shop

For the plant parents in your life. As a bonus, pick out a cool planter from one of many local artists, like A.Grey Design.

• Price: Varies.

Homemade hand creams from Homemade by Hanna

This Fort Mill-based shop sells a variety of natural skin care products, including creams, serums, oil blends and natural fragrances.

• Price: Starts at $12.50.

Hot cocoa bombs from Mocoa Cafe

Get cozy, heat up some milk and drop one of these chocolate balls into your beverage to reveal a surprise.

• Price: $7.50 for one bomb, or $30 for four.

Assortment of cookies and other sweets from local bakers

• Give the gift of French macarons from Amélie’s (half a dozen for $15.75) this holiday season.
• Dulce Dreams Cafe sells half a dozen conchas for $25.

Something handmade from Twenty Two West

Located on The Plaza, Twenty Two West offers handmade jewelry and home decor that your design-loving friends would love, like this plant butterfly for $18 or a rope bracelet for $18.

• Price: Varies.

Dress socks from Boardroom Socks

The locally owned company has dozens of patterns and styles for the practical person in your life.

• Prices: $19.50+ per pair.

Something secondhand

• Thrift Pony at Camp North End has clothing, accessories and random knickknacks at various price points.
• Also at Camp North End, the owners of travel boutique Voyage recently opened Red Letter Day, a section of the store with antique and thrifted pieces.
• VTG CLT's holiday pop-up in Elizabeth features 90+ vintage and handmade brands.
• Locker Room near NoDa has a large selection of vintage sportswear.

Go deeper: 15 of Charlotte's best secondhand stores

Bandanas for your pup from The Barn Door

This local shop offers reversible dog bandanas and bow ties for your favorite fur child.

• Price: $12.

Accessories from Nostalgia Hollow Co.

The family-owned shop originally opened in Kannapolis but recently relocated to the space next to Lottie's Cafe in Uptown. Find clothes and accessories like hair perfume, travel kits and stainless steel gua shas.

• Price: Varies.

Gifts between $25-$50

Charcuterie box from a local catering company

• Babe & Butcher has a build-your-own box starting at $26.95.
• Orrman's Cheese Shop's small boards start at $65.

Handmade leather goods from Traveller Trading Co.

Each item is handmade using traditional techniques. The shop has everything from leather belts to key chains and coaster sets.

• Price: $25+.

Home goods or accessories from Moxie Mercantile

The family-run Plaza Midwood boutique sells gifts and artisan-made wares.

• Price: Varies.

Cheesecake from Jazzy Cheesecakes

Choose from dozens of flavors. You can also order brownies, cakes, pies and cobblers.

• Price: Sweet potato pie cheesecakes are $26.

Charlotte-themed puzzle

If you're home for the holidays, pass the time with a puzzle that reveals Charlotte's stunning cityscapes.

• Price: $35.

Gift cards to local restaurants

• Beef ‘N Bottle’s gift card deal is back and you’ll receive a bonus $50 gift card for every $150 gift card you buy through Dec. 30.
• Build on Hospitality concepts (The Goodyear House, Folia, Chief's, Old TOwn Kitchen & Cocktails) is offering $20 bonus gift cards with the purchase of $100 gift cards.

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.

• Price: Mugs start at $29.99.

Spices made in collaboration with the Botiwalla chef and T-Pain

Let T-Pain “Fry U a Wing” with three custom blends curated by the Grammy Award-winning artist and chef Meherwan Irani (of Chai Pani and Botiwalla). 

• Price: $34.99.

Gift box from Cloister Honey

The gift box contains three to six jars. Select the contents yourself or choose from suggested pairings.

• Price: Starting at $47.50.

Waterproof jewelry from KIKI

Known for its waterproof and hypoallergenic gold-filled jewelry, the pop-up-turned-permanent shop has something for all the women in your life.

• Price: Varies.

Handcrafted bottle of liquor

Rum fans will love a bottle from Belmont-based Muddy River Distillery. Or go with the 704 Gin from Great Wagon Road Distilling Co to get you in the holiday spirit(s).

• Price: Varies. Head to your nearest ABC store.

Loose-leaf tea set from The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary

For your friend or family member who would gladly choose tea over coffee, get them a tea set. It includes 10 single-serve herbal teas wrapped in floral-scented tissue paper with a serving spoon accent. Fancy and practical.

• Price: $30.

Queen City Crunch pretzels

The Fab Four box includes one 8oz bag of each flavor: The OG, The Dill, The Heat and Cinnamon Sugar.

• Price: $30.

Queen City-inspired T-shirt from a local clothing brand

704 Shop, Girl Tribe, Glory Days Apparel and Queen & Cotton are just a few of the local clothing brands offering shirts, hats and other apparel to show off your love for Charlotte. They’ve got products for men, women and kids.

• Price: Varies.

Charlotte reading material

Head to Park Road Books or Paper Skyscraper and scoop up a few books by Charlotte authors for friends, family or coworkers.

• Price: Varies.

Go deeper: Best local bookstores in Charlotte — and a few more within driving distance

Leather wallet from Buffalo Jackson Trading Co.

If there’s someone in your life who could use a new wallet, get them a money clip from Buffalo Jackson. The handcrafted, fine leather goods are designed in Matthews. The shop offers selections for both men and women.

• Price: Starting at $44.95.

Go deeper: 23 things to do in Matthews, 25 minutes from Uptown

Beauty products from Tapp Beauty

For the people on my list who like to feel pretty, I’m making a goodie box with Kenra hair products, Jouer lip gloss and some Babe Lash mascara.

• Price: Varies. Many items are under $50.

Accessories from BraveWorks

The Dilworth store sells handcrafted jewelry, clothes and home goods produced by women in Charlotte and beyond who've escaped traumatic situations.

• Price: Varies.

Go deeper: New name, same mission: Fashion & Compassion becomes BraveWorks

Self-care products from Toccare Day Spa

For your wellness-obsessed friend.

• Price: Varies.

Go deeper: Mood House founder acquires popular day spa Toccare

Gift basket from Reid's Fine Foods

Baskets include a variety of artisanal snacks like cheese straws, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate-covered pecans, peanuts and Five O'Clock Crunch. Tasty.

• Price: Starting at $40.99.

A 3D printed art piece from CLT Fan Creations

Get something custom-made or browse their shop for cool decorations, like a UNC 49ers bookshelf piece ($29.99) or earrings ($17.99).

• Price: Varies.

Gifts between $51-$100

Something chic from Thirty-One Jane

This boutique, founded by a Charlotte mother-daughter duo, is between Elizabeth and Plaza Midwood, right across from Cheat's and Villani's.

Price: They have gifts under $50, under $150, and under $500.

Handcrafted woodwork from Sofi and Steve Creative Designs

A combination of co-owner Sofi's Ecuadorian artistry and Steve's woodworking skills means whatever you choose from the shop will be unique to you. They offer everything from customized hand-painted wine bottles ($65) to personalized cutting boards ($45).

• Price: Varies.

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 gift recipient chooses their favorite.

• Price: $94.

Needlepoint accessories from Onward Reserve

From team mascots to cheeky sayings, there’s a design for everyone on just about any accessory you can think of — belts, flasks or bottle openers.

• Price: Varies.

Something for the man in your life from OMJ

A simple but stylish button-down from Ole Mason Jar (OMJ) is the perfect guy gift. Or, freshen up their whole wardrobe with a custom fitting.

• Price: Varies.

Gifts over $100

Bling for your boo thing

For the person on your list who loves style and luxury, splurge on something special from any of these local jewelers.

• A magnetic bracelet ($135) like the one spotted on celebrities like Rihanna and Selena Gomez from Holst + Lee.
• The dual birthstone ring from Golden Carrot ($330) would make the prettiest gift with a meaningful touch.
• A one-of-a-kind necklace ($72+) from Pretty Perfect Style and a bracelet ($66+) to match.

A golf outfit they can wear on and off the course

• Byrdie’s head-to-toe golf gear is designed to take customers from the course to cocktail hour. Prices range from $50-$450 for hats, polos, dresses, skirts and other accessories and apparel.
• Beldrie offers more casual golf wear, like sets and sweaters ranging from $98-$125.
• Palmetto & Pine Golf Company sells accessories and apparel for men, including golf headcovers for $55.

A trip to a local spa

• Mood House's Holiday Chill Package ($298-$424) offers three 50- or 80-minute massage credits they can use in the next six months.
• Nature's Spa's Warm Warrior Massage Package ($345) combines two of their most popular massages — the hot stone massage and warrior massage.

Go deeper: The best spas and massage studios for a self-care day in Charlotte

A class or workshop

• For your friend who always wants to try something new, give a SkillPop gift card ($30+). With SkillPop Anywhere, the recipient doesn't even need to be in Charlotte.
• Sweet Spot Studio offers cookie-baking classes starting at $70.

A membership to a local museum

• Bechtler Museum of Modern Art has memberships starting at $50.
• Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden memberships start at $70.
• Discovery Place Science memberships start at $109.
• The Mint Museum memberships start at $60.

Sunglasses from Johnny Fly Co.

The Charlotte-based eyewear and leather brand has an international reputation for its unique and stylish accessories.

• Prices: Starting at $135.

Queen Charlotte candle

For your most stylish friend who has everything, consider a colorful Queen Charlotte candle from R. Runberg Curiosities (or anything from her dreamy shop). There are 21 colors to choose from. 

• Price: $160.

Editor's note: This guide is updated every year. It was most recently refreshed on Nov. 26, 2025.