Charlotte Magazine’s 2020 Gift Guide
Our guide includes local small businesses with thoughtfully curated items, many of which support additional causes. We’ve also included suggestions to provide for others experiencing hardships this year
Reminder: Giving Tuesday Arrives December 1
Giving Tuesday is a global movement that unleashes the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. Consider donating to local businesses highlighted in blue throughout this guide.
Photo by Adam Whitlow
Empower for Hope sells accessories, clothing, toys, and other items in partnerships with women refugees and immigrant artisans, from Charlotte and the East African nation Burundi.
Yellow Stripe Stuffed Giraffe ($40) and Orange Floral Elephant ($35)
The Zipper Triangle Wristlet is part puzzle, part genius. Perfect for kids or to carry small necessities. Unzips to store flat ($10)
Fill up their stockings with colorful hair Scrunchies (from $10)
Photo by Adam Whitlow
Michelle Castelloe, owner, supports local makers and creators in the community, fair trade and socially conscious brands. Moxie Mercantile also regularly donates a percentage of sales to local and national causes.
Pink Picasso’s Lily Llamacorn’s Paint by Numbers Kit ($30)
Friday the Sloth ($45), locally designed by Kaylyn Dunlap of Dunlap Love
Dunlap, mother to an adoptive special-needs family, uses plush toys to help orphans and the special-needs community.
Assembled enough puzzles this year? For a change, try these Balancing Blocks ($48) by Fort Standard, a small business in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Made of solid oak, these faceted sculptural shapes are surprisingly fun and entertaining. Display your finished sculpture or store them in the cotton drawstring bag, included.
ALL THE SKILLS
Repairs are easier when you have the right tools
Black and white Charlotte Skyscraper Chess set ($135) by Joel Bonasera, who also creates 3-D printed holiday ornaments and other items in various colors. Choose from the Trade and Tryon Bauble Ornament ($25) or (right) Queen City Christmas Uptown Charlotte Ornament ($20).
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Get a head start on building and repair work with Girls Garageby Emily Pilloton, who has taught and worked with thousands of youth, ages 9 -18, on public architecture projects.
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Leave it to these dutiful devices to remain steadfast in design and function. For something you can count on, gift this Jotblock Drafting Set ($29).
Know someone who is always searching for the right tool? Give them the titanium coated Credit Card Tool ($20) with 15 tools in one slim card.
Little Notes Panda Hug ($15), is a fun stocking stuffer for the one who finished that complicated project.
This 12-in-1 Screwdriver ($29) with a multi-angle ratchet head by Gentleman’s Hardware will get you out of a tight spot. Don’t let the name fool you—it works just as well for women.
Teach Girls How to Build Their Future
She Built This City, a local non-profit business, sparks interest in construction for women of all ages. It aims to empower girls 9-17 and women with construction trade skills through after-school programs, workshops, events, and career and counseling services.
Visit She Built This City on Facebook or @she.built.this.city on Instagram for event updates, or make a donation at shebuiltthiscity.org
CREATURE COMFORTS
To nurture your mind, body and spirit
Spend more than $250, and Delilah Home will donate one organic cotton bed sheet set to Beds for Kids in your honor. Mention code Bedsforkids when purchasing.
We introduced Delilah, who won our top dog contest, in our November 2020 issue. She’s the brand ambassador for these resort-quality, 400-thread-count organic 100% Hemp Sheets ($350, queen, other sizes available).
Courtesy
10% of your purchase goes to help victims of domestic violence. Thread Talk also offers options for corporate gifting.
Snuggle up with Resilience, a cozy, cotton, oversized throw blanket ($150). Small blankets for kids also available ($60). Happiness, Strength, Confidence and others also available.
Share your plants with friends with this Monstera Propagation Station (Style 1, left, $30) or (Style 2, right, $25) from worthy, and very capable, women.
Do your plants need some encouragement? Plant Animals ($9 each) can help! Choose from koalas, monkeys, and more.
Garden in A Bag ($10 each), Treat your furry friends to some healthy organic snacks that taste great and look pretty, too. Perfect for uptown apartments and condo dwellers.
Highest demand in-kind items include rain ponchos, new undershirts and boxer briefs, and more. Visit the websites below to assist homeless neighbors and housing programs. mensshelterofcharlotte.orgurbanministrycenter.orgroofabove.org
BEAUTY REST
Small gifts worthy of great rewards
Photo by Jessie Wyman Photography
For every online order, a nontoxic product is donated to a child in need. Also, donate a new or gently used makeup bag for upcycling to the children.
Discover these locally made, USDA-certified personal care and beauty products. Face Glow Discovery Kit: Minimalist ($69.99) includes Honey Gentle Cleanser, Rosewater Toner, Konjac Sponge, and choice of Face Serum or Beauty Cream. Other skin type kits available online.
Photo by Carrie Allen
This small-batch local perfumery added hand sanitizer spray to their line this year. It’s one thing we can’t get enough of, and it smells amazing, too. Essential oil-infused Hand Sanitizer Spray available in multiple sizes, from $10-$65.
For a group activity, choose an at-home Fragrance Bar Kit ($34 each) for your science-loving friends (and one for yourself). All will have fun creating custom scents and discovering the process behind it.
CHANGING PATTERNS
Accessorize with these small-batch artisans
Set Aside Your Corporate Wear for Something More Casual? Donate your women’s professional wear to Dress for Success Charlotte so that others may look sharp for job interviews. For details, visit charlotte.dressforsuccess.org.
For menswear donations, see Suit Up Charlotte (certain restrictions apply for donations). For details, visit suitupcharlotte.org.
Photo by Christina Hussey Photography
Fashion and Compassion is a 501c3 nonprofit serving women overcoming situations like human trafficking, abuse, addiction, incarceration, poverty, and ethnic persecution.
The zippered Mini Tonati Natural ($75), is made from woven recycled plastic and includes a removable fringe wristlet. Available in cinnamon (shown) or black. (See other items, including limited edition Kitenge Wrap Skirts online.)
Photo by Adam Whitlow
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Chosen Women’s Apparel offers items are sourced from social enterprises, nonprofits, and fair-trade organizations. The Sel de Vie jewelry line gives 25% of all proceeds to Cystic Fibrosis research.
(Left) The Madeline Necklace ($95) and The Annie Necklace ($95) by Sel de Vie are inspired by the need to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Each piece is named after a child or young adult warrior who is battling CF.
Photo by Adam Whitlow
Sarah E. Kaplan, founder and designer of VUE by SEK, creates small-batch, locally and ethically made jewelry geared toward individuality.
(From top left) 14k gold Layered Square + Blue Agate Earrings ($52); 14K gold Star necklace ($89); 14k gold Layered Dome+ Labradorite Larvikite earrings ($52, on right pink box); 14k gold Star Studs ($45); 14K gold Dome + Labradorite Earrings ($45); and the 14K gold May Necklace ($77), which Kaplan used her Great Aunt May’s 1920s brooch as inspiration for its design.
Photo by Adam Whitlow
MoaZen Jewelry is a socially responsible affordable luxury brand with its roots in community.
Unique jewelry made by twin designers Faith and Hope Rivers. For even more positive vibes, catch them during an Open Studio on every first and second Saturdays. Visit website for special events and hours.
(Clockwise from top) “The Optimist” set includes a polished red coral with agate slab necklace with red coral earrings ($57 for set); “Be True” Enchanted earrings ($39); and Yogi-style Love Culture/Tribe Earrings ($39)
