From food to art to more food (seriously, have you tasted the BBQ?), it seems like North Carolinians can create anything. Local gifts from North Carolina are a special way to share the love of the Tar Heel State for anyone who calls it home. (And there’s no place like home for the holidays.) It may be easy to do holiday shopping from a huge chain retailer online with a quick click – but that click may not help the local community or North Carolina’s economy. Hundreds of small businesses rely on the boom of holiday spending to make up for the slower months to come. Buying local not only contributes to North Carolina’s bustling creative and culinary scene, but gives local families in the community a boost. What’s not to love?
Local gifts are personal
There is something special about giving a gift that can’t be found in a big box store. Whether it’s pottery from a local artist at Seagrove Pottery in Cary or Moravian cookies from Salem Baking in Winston-Salem, North Carolina business owners have just the right gift. Show up to the neighbor’s holiday party this season with a bottle of NC wine or add a few homemade cookies from Tonya’s Cookies (made with locally sourced ingredients) for Santa. Introducing NC goods to friends and families living in other states helps spread the word about local companies that may otherwise have a harder time sharing to different regions. While you’re at it, don’t forget a few goodies for you too – adding a few NC treats around the home could be the start of a new tasty tradition.
Local gifts are good for the community
Need an extra boost of Christmas cheer? You know the saying. It’s better to give than receive, and when you shop local, you’re giving North Carolina small business owners and their families the gift of support – and another year doing what they love. If you’re shopping in the neighborhood, you’re also making a low environmental impact with your gift-giving. Since food gifts like Big Spoon Roasters in Durham and Elizabeth’s Pecans in Turkey, NC, are made from farm-grown products produced in state, there are no long miles of travel or shipping, thereby conserving fuel and reducing carbon emissions. This helps the growers and farmers of North Carolina as well. Food gifts are excellent for growers and eaters.
Local gifts are convenient
For those who still want that convenient quick click of online shopping, you can still support local businesses. Shops like Truzzi’s Bath and Body offer handcrafted soaps, lotion, and skincare online. Sweeten things up with local honey from Cloister Honey in Charlotte or be a high fashion hipster in the best jeans you’ll ever own from Raleigh Denim Workshop without leaving the sofa.
Did we mention the food? Buying the best in NC food is easy online. Blue Ridge Jams in Hendersonville, Chapel Hill Toffee, Atkinson Milling Company in Johnston county, Ritchie Hill Bakery in Concord, Bull City BBQ from Durham, and Cape Fear Rum Cakes in Wilmington all offer online shopping for your leisure.
If there is something on your shopping list that doesn’t fall under the category of art or food, no need to check it twice. Supporting local can also mean supporting the larger businesses that choose North Carolina as their headquarters. Choosing NC-based corporations can expand your shopping choices. Buying a gift for dad from Lowe’s Home Improvement (headquartered in Mooresville, NC) instead of Home Depot (not NC!) add to North Carolina’s economy, because booming biz equals more jobs for NC residents. Belk, Hanes, and Family Dollar all have corporate headquarters in NC.
Where’s your favorite spot to buy local? What hidden gems are on your local shopping list? Seriously, where can you buy the best NC treat? Let us know your local stomping grounds for holiday shopping or share your favorites on Facebook.
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