Local Holiday Gift Guide

Named by USA Today as one of the best small towns for shopping, Highlands makes it easy to find the perfect holiday gift. This year, every gift you buy works twice: once for someone you love and once for the mountain community that makes this place feel like a snow globe come to life.

Last year, Hurricane Helene washed out N.C. 106 in early fall, the main route from Dillard and Atlanta, and it did not fully reopen until Christmas Eve, after most lists were already checked off. Despite the relatively swift reopening, this meant that quite a few Highlands gifts never made it to their rightful owners. 

This season, the road is open, the town is glowing, and it is the perfect time to wander our boutiques and markets in person, enjoying everything that makes Highlands such a special place to shop for the holidays.

Use this Local Holiday Gift Guide to spark ideas and fill your list with thoughtful, locally rooted presents:
 

Home Décor 

• Spruce Interiors 
  Just a short drive from town in Highlands Creek Village, Spruce Interiors is a full-service design studio and shop that specializes in comfortable, memorable spaces. Build a beautiful tablescape gift kit with textiles, candlesticks, and serving pieces that will refresh a dining room for years to come.

• Acorns at Old Edwards 
  Curate an heirloom style gift with art, mirrors, and tabletop treasures so your recipient can bring a touch of Old Edwards Inn charm home. 

• Dutchmans Casual Living 
  Pair a plush throw, a scented candle, and a couple of pillows for a ready-made living room cozy up kit that feels perfectly Highlands.

• Main Street Gifts
  In the heart of Main Street, this charming boutique is packed with unique finds for him, her, and home. Put together a hostess or family gift with pretty serve ware, seasonal décor, and a small something just for them.

• Citizen Wilder 
  For design forward friends, choose sculptural candles, textiles, and garden inspired accents that make any room feel like a modern mountain retreat. 

Style (Clothing & Jewelry) 

• TJ Bailey’s 
  Wrap him in mountain polish with cashmere sweaters, sport coats, and shirts that carry him from office to holiday party.

• Annawear 
  Build an easy Highlands capsule with denim, cozy knits, and boots for the friend whose style is casually chic every day.

• C. Orrico 
  Delight the print lover with bright, happy resort pieces in classic Lilly Pulitzer patterns that will shine on winter getaways and spring days.

• Haley’s Fine Lingerie 
  Spoil someone special with a silky robe, beautiful lingerie, or luxe loungewear that turns quiet winter mornings into a small daily celebration.

• UASHMAMA
  This Italian, family owned brand’s Highlands shop showcases washable paper bags, totes, and accessories that look and feel like leather. Gift a market tote, wine bag, or chic organizer that is stylish, eco friendly, and made to be used every day.

• Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry 
  Mark a milestone with an estate ring, pendant, or bracelet that feels timeless and instantly heirloom worthy.

• Silver Eagle Gallery 
  Choose turquoise and sterling silver pieces, crystals, or minerals for a gift that carries a little piece of earth and sky.

Outdoor Gear 

• Highland Hiker 
  Create a trail kit with a daypack, merino socks, and a warm beanie so they are ready for their next waterfall hike. 

• Bear Mountain Outfitters 
  Gift rugged boots, technical layers, and cozy socks for all weather adventures, plus maybe a sturdy leash for trail loving pups. 

• Brookings Anglers 
  Wrap up a guided fly-fishing trip, a box of hand-picked flies, and a new line for the angler who dreams in trout rises. 

• Hagan Binder Landscape Architects, Fine Tools 
  For the gardener, choose heritage quality hand tools, specialty bulbs, or native seeds from their fine tools shop, then add a pair of sturdy garden gloves.

• Highlands Mountain Paws 
  Fill a stocking with fresh baked treats, toys, and a smart new collar for the four legged family member. 

• Highlands Outpost 
  Gift snow tubing or mountain coaster passes, plus a thermos and wool gloves for a ready made winter fun day.

• Highlands Nature Center
  The Nature Center gift shop has tons of stocking stuffers for nature lovers. Check out this inspiring holiday gift guide on their socials:

Arts 

• Dead Artists Gallery 
  This Main Street favorite specializes in vintage and antique art from the eighteenth through twentieth centuries at approachable prices. Choose a framed landscape or portrait that becomes an instant conversation piece at home.

• The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts 
  Pick up handcrafted pottery, prints, or small works from the shop so your gift supports both regional artists and this beloved arts campus. Shop their Holiday Market! (Open through December 27)

• Art Highlands Gallery 
  Select a striking painting, bronze, or glass work from their eclectic, international collection for the art lover who has seen it all. 

• HOP Gallery 
  Gift a framed mountain landscape photograph or a certificate for a family or pet photo session that turns into wall worthy memories.

• Jeanie Edwards Fine Art 
  Curate a mini gallery with paintings, pottery, handmade jewelry, and fair-trade treasures from more than twenty local and regional artists.

Gourmet Provisions 

• One Wicker Cheese Co. 
  Build a dream cheese board with artisan cheeses, cured meats, and locally sourced pairings, or let the team create a custom gift basket or cheese club membership. Don't miss the upcoming workshop: Holiday Hits: Festive Cheeses and Board Making Tips on December 11 for an evening of tasting and perfect board building inspiration.

• Highlands Wine Shoppe 
  Curate a host ready trio with bubbles, a favorite red, and a dessert wine, plus a pretty stopper or set of glasses to finish the set.

• High Country Wine & Provisions 
  Treat wine lovers to a Sonoma inspired tasting flight at the mountain home of Davis Family Vineyards, or a bottle and charcuterie friendly pairing for fireside evenings.

• The Spice & Tea Exchange of Highlands 
  Build a Taste of Highlands box with loose leaf teas, handcrafted spice blends, and flavored sugars that make winter cooking and baking feel extra special.

• Edelweiss Pastry Boutique 
  Arrive at gatherings with jewel like pastries or chocolates from this artisan patisserie, created by a Food Network featured baker, and let dessert double as a centerpiece.

Every time you choose a gift from this guide, you are helping Highlands and the wider WNC region bounce back from Helene while keeping one of America’s favorite small shopping towns vibrant for seasons to come.