Holiday Gift Guide 2022

Gift Guide

By Danielle Puleo danielle.puleo@thecoastlandtimes.com

The Fitness Fan

Prioritizing physical health in tandem with mental and emotional health is vital to everyone’s well-being. There are so many ways to stay active, both indoors and out, and several locally owned and operated businesses are here to help make any fitness routine both a fun and rewarding one. If you have family member or friend who loves going to the gym, or one who is still figuring out where to start their fitness journey, perhaps a gift card to the YMCA would make their workouts that much more enjoyable! The Outer Banks

Family YMCA in Nags Head offers gift boxes, so one can physically unwrap their health and wellness. The gift box comes with a gift

certificate for use on membership, programs, camps, etc., a guide to the Y and a sports towel, the perfect bundle to start any wellness journey. To get your fitness fan even more geared up for their first workout session, Zen & Zip in Duck is carrying Bala wearable wrist and ankle one pound weights as well as a beautiful and practical workout set from Vuori Athletic. And for those who like to mix it up, Wave Riding Vehicles in Kitty Hawk is stocked up on skateboards and penny boards of just about every color and design so they can hit the road with some new wheels while getting plenty of fresh air and enjoying a fun, fast-paced workout.

Christmas will be here before we know it and holiday shopping has kicked into high gear.

While searching for the perfect presents for loved ones, friends, colleagues and everyone in between,

make sure to shop small this month and snag all of the wonderful offerings our local businesses have in stock.

Whether you are shopping for the busy bee in your family, that one who friend who can never seem to put down a good book, the self-made chef and their restaurant-hopping sidekick, the all-around fitness fan and their new-to-the-workout world buddy or that relative

who has traveled the globe but always has the Outer Banks in their mind and heart, we’ve put together a packet of local finds that will just about satisfy anyone on your list this Christmas. We’ve even included some stocking stuffer ideas help make gifting a breeze. All that’s left is to make your shopping list and check it twice. Don’t forget the milk and cookies!

PHOTOS BY DANIELLE PULEO

These Bala 1lb. weights are available at Zen & Zip and make the perfect accessory for anyone who is on a fitness journey.

This set from Vuori Athletic is as cute as it is comfortable and can be purchased at Zen & Zip in Duck.

Wave Riding Vehicles as skateboards and penny boards of all sizes, colors and designs to gift just anyone a new pair of wheels.

The Busy Bee

Some of us operate best when we pack a lot on our plate. Whether it be planning committees, football practices, piano lessons, late-night projects or a constant work load, there’s probably someone you know that is constantly busy. Luckily, the local shops have just the right gift for that busy bee in our lives. Take Island Bookstore in Duck for example, where the cutest Beth Mueller Studio Christmas cards can be found, the perfect gift for someone who just hasn’t had the time to grab a stack of greeting cards to send to their loved ones. And who doesn’t love sharing the holiday spirit through outdoor décor? The Gift Garden in Kill Devil Hills has flags for every season, which

make for a great gift for someone who perhaps hasn’t gotten around to putting out all of those Christmas lights yet. And if that certain someone rarely takes time to shop for themselves, Shay Leslie Boutique in Kitty Hawk has a batch of Second Nature Jewelry earrings that are as lightweight as they are stylish, made from repurposed wood. Snag a pair on your way to Miss Lizzie’s in Kitty Hawk to pick out a beaded club bag, perfect for carrying a cell phone and wallet while on the go! Choose from many styles and patterns, whether it be Christmas cardinals, holiday coral, simple circles or a sequined, summertime drink – there’s a style for every busy bee.

These adorable Beth Mueller Studio holiday cards can be found at Island Bookstore in Duck.

Flags for every season, holiday and occasion are available at The Gift Garden.

Shay Leslie Boutique carries a line of Second Nature earrings that are made of repurposed wood.

These Second Nature Jewelry earrings are as lightweight as they are stunning, making the perfect gift for someone who never has time to shop for themselves.

These fashionable and functional club bags can be found at Miss Lizzie’s.

PHOTOS BY DANIELLE PULEO

The Nostalgic Globetrotter

The Outer Banks is one of those places that visitors never quite forget about. It offers a textbook-worthy amount of history, scenic beaches, diversified wildlife, picturesque landscapes and much, much more. For those that have visited and want to take a little piece of OBX with them or those who live here and like to keep things around the home or office to remind them of their favorite local places, perhaps a shirt and/or mug from the Cape Hatteras Motel will satisfy their nostalgia. Or an Outer Banks paper globe from Tar Heel Trading Company in Duck might do the trick, for the recipient to either hang on their Christmas tree or have spin in their windowsill all year long. To keep the sandy beaches with them in photo-form, the Coastal Wild photography book by Steve Alterman and Mark Buckler makes for a great coffee table talking piece and is available at Island Bookstore. If the globetrotter in your life is more of an artdrawn traveler, Mermaids in

Manteo carries large and small cutting boards with artwork from local artists, which will be sure to vibrantly color any kitchen around the world while satisfying the wanderlust of even the biggest OBX fan. For those who are nostalgic and

like to give back, consider gifting a commemorative pet tile. Installed on the interior walls of the Dare County Animal Shelter, the tiles serve as a tribute to beloved pets as well as support the Outer Banks SPCA.

These precious Outer Banks paper globes make the best windowsill reminders of a place that resides in the hearts of many, available at Tar Heel Trading Company.

These precious Outer Banks paper globes make the best windowsill reminders of a place that resides in the hearts

The Coastal Wild photography book by Steve Alterman and Mark Buckler makes for a great coffee table talking piece and is available at Island Bookstore.

Mermaids in Manteo carries large and small cutting boards with artwork from local artists, perfect for the kitchen of any OBX lover.

Installed on the interior walls of the Dare County Animal Shelter, commemorative pet tiles serve as a tribute to beloved pets as well as support the Outer Banks SPCA.

Grab all your local gear at Cape Hatteras Motel to send to those who are longing to be back on the beach.

PHOTOS BY DANIELLE PULEO

The Foodie

There’s always one cook in the family. You know, that one who can whip up just about anything and make it taste good? The one who constantly watches the Food Network and values their family cookbooks as if they were worth gold (let’s face it, some probably are!). On the other hand, there are those who love going out and trying new foods at new restaurants,

or visiting their local favorites over and over and over again. For those foodies in our lives, there are some special gifts out there that may light up their lives almost as much as a fresh, hot out-of-the-oven tray of chocolate chip cookies. For example, who wouldn’t swoon over a bottle of Runamok Sparkle Syrup? Tasty and absolutely beautiful to look at, this specialty syrup

is available at Trio Restaurant & Market in Kitty Hawk, along with a variety of sea salts from Hatteras Saltworks. Mix it up with a basket of sweet and salty! If you want to stir in some humor with the perfect gourmet gift, head over to Outer Banks Olive Oil Company (with storefronts in Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Duck) to grab a jar of their OBX Traffic Jam. With a

delectable combination of tangerine, orange and elderberry, this jam packs a punch (both in taste and memories!). But if your foodie simply loves sitting down for a great meal at a local staple, perhaps a gift card to The Jolly Roger Restaurant in Kill Devil Hills or Darrell’s Restaurant in Manteo is the ideal gift this holiday season.

Trio Restaurant & Market has Runamok Sparkle Syrup stocked up to add just the right amount of glitter to anyone’s holiday basket.

OBX Traffic Jam, found at Outer Banks Olive Oil Company, embodies just the right amount of taste and humor for Outer Banks locals and visitors alike.

Hatteras Saltworks sea salt is locally made and a great gift for the foodie in your life, available at Trio Restaurant & Market.

PHOTOS BY DANIELLE PULEO

The Literary Leader

Whether it be a page-turning mystery novel, a guide to identify wildflowers, a humorous romance plotline with a twist or a famous biography, almost everyone can agree that books are a universal gift. Some devour paperbacks quicker than others. For those who house libraries either in their mind or home, here are some ideas for gifting just the right present to those literary leaders in our lives: First off, what goes better with a good book than a cup of hot tea and a classic vinyl? Newly established duo Sudden Light Records and Abbi’s Teas & Things in Nags Head has just the

combo with Abbi’s Holiday Spirit tea and The Beatles – Revolver record. Head to Downtown Books in Manteo to shop all the must-reads by local authors, such as Smile Beach Murder by Alicia Bessette and We Are The Light by Matthew Quick. While picking up a stack of hardbacks for the literary leader in your life, grab a book-inspired hand-poured soy candle as well – perfect for those raining day reads. And if you’re bibliophile is the “sip of coffee per chapter” type, check out Charis Coffee Company in Manteo for their ceramic mug and coffee combo deal.

This tea/vinyl combo is the ultimate gift for hat one friend who can never put a good book down – available at newly-established Sudden Light Records and Abbi’s Teas & Things.

Local favorites, these page-turners were written and produced by authors who call the Outer Banks their home and are currently waiting to be purchased at Downtown Books.

Charis Coffee Company has packaged these mug and coffee bean combos to make gifting easy this season.

What goes better with a classic novel then the smell of one? Grab one (or all) of these book-inspired candles from Downtown Books.

PHOTOS BY DANIELLE PULEO

Stocking Stuffers!

Vehicles to choose from a wide variety of goodies to stuff any stocking, like shower spray, bath soaks, lip balm and beanies (all on sale, might we add). For those who like to take their stockings to the next level, Jewelry by Gail

In need of stocking stuffer ideas? No worries, the local businesses have your back. Pick up a small, adorable jar of local North Carolina honey at Trio Restaurant & Market while on your way to Outer Banks Olive Oil Company for a sampler pack of olive oils and vinegars (to serve several stockings at once!). Then take a drive to Wave Riding

offers items that are small in size but are big in impact, such as the JBG “Bow” pendant with 14k palladium white gold and

the Amber Beata earrings, featuring sterling silver and gold plate brushed discs and drop circles. And of course, stop by your local favorites for gift certificates, discounted apparel and last-minute steals to ensure everyone gets their wish-list met this Christmas season.

These small, adorable jars of local North Carolina honey are ready to pick up at Trio Restaurant & Market.

Outer Banks Olive Oil Company has sampler packs of olive oils and vinegars ready to buy to serve several stockings at once.

Choose from a huge assortment of goodies to stuff any stocking, like shower spray, bath soaks, lip balm and beanies.

Wave Riding Vehicles is having a sale on a wide variety of stocking stuffers this month

PHOTOS BY DANIELLE PULEO

COURTESY JEWELRY BY GAIL

These creations from Jewelry by Gail – the 14k palladium white gold JBG “Bow” pendant and the Amber Beata earrings, featuring sterling silver and gold plate brushed discs and drop circles – would make for an extra-special stocking surprise.