Making a list
November 25, 2020
Local picks for holiday gifts
Bruce Julian continues to expand his line of artisan foods and snacks with a beer-infused take on classic peanut brittle. Bruce Julian’s Craft Beer Brittle is available in four flavors: bacon bourbon barrel stout, India pale ale, chocolate peanut butter porter and coffee stout. Purchase a variety four-pack($24.95) or individual cans ($5.95) online at brucejulianheritagefoods.com, at Bruce Julian Clothier at 2913 Selwyn Ave. and at various retailers, including local Total Wine stores.
When in doubt, chocolate: This gift tower fromTwenty Degrees Chocolates ($96) features 38 hand-made bonbons, stacked and tied with a double satin ribbon. Purchase at Twenty Degrees’ boutique at the Design Center of the Carolinas, at Petit Philippe on Selwyn Ave. or at 20degreeschocolates.com
The Confetti Hearts,a children’s book by Evelyn Henson, creator of one of Charlotte’s most recognizable murals, tells the story of how small acts of kindness can add up to something beautiful ($19 paperback, $29 hardcover). Buy online at evelynhenson.com (allow three weeks for shipping) or at Dilworth Artisan Station at 118 E. Kingston Ave.
A membership to the Sweet Spot Cookie Club ($45-$55 per month) includes all the ingredients for seasonally themed cookie-decorating classes, shipped directly to you. Videos and instructions are posted online, and no experience is necessary. Choose from one-, three- or six-month options.
sweetspotstudioclt.com/cookieclub
Sip hot or cold beverages in style with these double-walled, insulated tumblers from Laura Park Design. Available in two sizes: 20 oz. ($32) or 12 oz. wine ($26). Various patterns available. Shop at 1033 Providence Road or online at lauraparkdesigns.com
Give the gift of a custom clothing experience.
For a one-of-a-kind gift for her, Empower for Hope custom African print skirts ($160-$240) come in five different styles — from mini to midi to maxi — and dozens of bold-print fabrics. The skirts are made by local refugees and immigrants, and all proceeds help provide vocational training and medical care in rural Burundi. Purchase gift cards on the website at empowerforhope.org.
For him, a custom shirt ($150) or suit/sportcoat ($995) experience at Ole Mason Jar begins by relaxing with a bourbon at OMJ’s flagship store in South End. During your personal consultation, you’ll choose from thousands of fabric options — with custom color threading and monograms available — and get measured for a perfect fit.olemasonjar.com
Featured image: It’s often said that good things come in small packages — in this case, the package itself is a treasure that could be the start of a new tradition. Kate Stewart started Atlanta-based Bauble Stockings in 2018, inspired by a keepsake needlepoint stocking that hung on her family’s Christmas tree: Each year, the stocking held a special gift, or “bauble,” for her mother. Today, the stockings are sold in 115 stores in 25 states, including The Buttercup, Paper Twist and 2 Twenty 2 Interiors at Blacklion in Charlotte and Crossings on Main in Fort Mill, S.C. The stockings are hand-stitched by single mothers in Haiti working to support their families. The 6-inch designs are perfect for holding small but significant gifts, from jewelry to concert tickets to handwritten letters or clues. There are 45 distinct styles, from nutcrackers to snow globes to holly leaves, including several designed by Southern women artists. Selections vary by store.
