A visit to Charleston is the perfect time to do some holiday shopping for friends and family. Choose from specialty food items, arts and crafts, jewelry and other items completely unique to Charleston. We’ve selected a few favorites for our Holiday Gift Guide we think would make great presents. And be sure to pick up a little something for yourself!
For the baker
For the oyster shucker
It’s a two for one with this oyster knife. Pop open those oysters and a cold beverage with one handy knife. The Stowaway Shucker from Charleston Shucker Co. features a beveled stainless-steel blade with a built-in bottle opener that folds for safe, convenient storage. Price: $45 (personalized engraving available). Visit charlestonshuckerco.com to order online or for a list of local retailers. Special deal for Traveler of Charleston readers: save 15% off your online purchase of a Stowaway Shucker with code “Traveler.” Offer expires Dec. 31, 2019.
For the hostess
The pineapple is used in architecture and décor all around Charleston as a welcoming symbol of hospitality. According to the Historic Charleston Foundation, seafaring captains from East Coast ports, including Charleston, would impale fresh pineapples – souvenirs of their travels to tropical ports – atop the porch railings of their homes when they returned. It was a sign the man of the house was home and receiving visitors. Take some hospitality home with a Charleston Pineapple Brass Ornament available from the Historic Charleston Foundation Shop, 108 Meeting St. Price: $20 or order online at historiccharleston.org.
For the pampered
Old Whaling Co. makes bar soaps, bath bombs, body butter and salt scrubs so treat yourself – or a loved one – to soft and smooth skin. Try the body butter set for a blend of shea butter, sunflower oil and aloe vera perfect for all skin types. Choose from five different fragrances or go with the best-selling one, fruity-scented Seaberry. Fun fact: Old Whaling Co. was featured in O: The Oprah Magazine in July 2018. Price: $50; order online at oldwhalingcompany.com or stop by their shop at 43 Broad St. or in the City Market at 188 Meeting St.
For the craft beer connoisseur
Experience Charleston’s amazing brewery scene with the Brew Hop Pass. The free mobile app lists and describes Charleston’s top breweries and includes maps and other helpful information. By purchasing a subscription (48-hour, monthly or an annual pass), you can take advantage of offers such as BOGO pint, free flights and more. Purchase online at brewhoppass.com
For the wine drinker
At Deep Water Vineyard on Wadmalaw Island, you’ll find vines filled with muscadine grapes, a fruit native to the Southeastern United States. Those grapes are turned into authentic muscadine wine – five different labels from four varieties of grapes. Pick up a few bottles for friends or as a holiday party hostess gift. Deep Water Wine is available at retail locations around the Charleston area and at the vineyard; see deepwatervineyard.com for details (tours and tastings also available).