2022 OBX Holiday Gift Guide
It’s kind of hard to believe that it’s already time to start thinking about holiday shopping, but we’re only a couple of months away from the start of the holiday season. With that in mind, one of the best things you can give the OBX-Lover in your life is a gift that will bring them back to the warm sand and salty beaches of the Outer Banks! Below is our 2022 OBX-Themed Holiday Gift Guide for plenty of ideas that will be sure to please everyone on your holiday gift list.
The Outer Banks Box
This awesome subscription box is great if your loved one is really craving the Outer Banks during these winter months. Up to four times a year, Outer Banks Box will send you or your loved one 4-6 specially-curated Outer Banks goodies that will help bring that Outer Banks vacation they’re dreaming of right to their doorstep. Order now and the next box will be shipped in December, which is just in time for the holidays. All items in the Outer Banks Box are locally sourced and give you a taste of this little slice of heaven wherever you are!
Locally-Roasted OBX Coffee
Everyone loves coffee, right? Just take a look at our list of Best Outer Banks Coffee Shops, and you’ll see why one of the best parts of coming to the Outer Banks is enjoying a delicious cup of freshly roasted coffee on the beach or the sun deck of your gorgeous vacation rental. And while it may not be quite the same as enjoying your cup of coffee with your toes in the sand, you can still get your favorite coffee aficionado a bag of yummy OBX coffee to enjoy while waiting for that next trip to North Carolina. Ashley’s Espresso Parlour in Kill Devil Hills roasts their beans on-site as the All-Time Coffee Roasting Co., and you can pick up a bag of their delicious Surfin’Spoon Blend or Ghost Fleet Blend here. Outer Bean Cafe and Front Porch Cafe also offer their yummy OBX-themed blends for purchase so be sure to check out all their options so your loved one can recreate their OBX vacation mornings at home!
Book Set in the Outer Banks & an OBX Sweatshirt
Did you know that on Christmas Eve in Iceland, citizens celebrate a charming tradition called Jloabokaflod, during which they give each other a new book and a cozy pair of pajamas to enjoy that evening? Why not adopt this tradition and give it a little bit of local OBX flair? Pick a book (or books!) set in the Outer Banks and pair it with some warm pajamas or a cozy Outer Banks sweatshirt from Gray’s or Kitty Hawk Kites. Check out our list of Outer Banks Books, which has a little bit of something for everyone and be sure to pick up your fun read for Christmas Eve from one of our local Bookstores on the Outer Banks! Many of them will even ship your book to wherever you are, so there’s no reason NOT to shop local. Start your own family tradition of a beachy book and cozy sweatshirt on Christmas Eve as you celebrate the warmth of your loved ones while dreaming of a day at the beach!
Handmade OBX Art
The Outer Banks has no shortage of unique, independent artists whose work reflects the beauty and splendor of the Outer Banks. Consider getting a special piece of artwork or pottery inspired by the Outer Banks that your loved ones can enjoy throughout the year. Pick up a fun suncatcher or gemstone art piece from Absolutely Outer Banks or stop by Seagreen Gallery while you’re in town for some amazing local pieces and inspired art. If you’re looking for something a little more traditional for the OBX art-lover in your life, have a look at Sea Dragon & Yellowhouse Gallery or Seaside Art Gallery for beautiful Outer Banks prints that you can’t miss. And you definitely can't go wrong with OBX Artist Studio, where you can pick up a variety of amazing Outer Banks art pieces and have them shipped directly to you or your gift recipient!
Handcrafted Jewelry
Handcrafted jewelry is both a unique and a memorable gift for anyone in your life. Fortunately, there are plenty of Outer Banks local creators who specialize in creating fine and beach-themed jewelry that is sure to be a hit under the tree this year. NautiGirl252 Jewelry is an official #OBXMADE company that specializes in sustainable cork jewelry that’s great for everyone in your life. All Washed Up Jewelry, based in Kill Devil Hills, offers unique gold and acrylic jewelry of all types as well as customizable coordinate and namesake necklaces and bracelets. Whatever you choose is sure to be a memorable gift that people are talking about for years to come.
OBX Christmas Ornament
The Christmas Mouse is an Outer Banks staple that has been fulfilling the holiday needs of locals and visitors alike since the 1980s. Stop by the store itself or check out their online store for a variety of beautiful OBX-Themed Christmas ornaments that will have the tree looking like something that belongs inside an Outer Banks vacation rental. Choose the perfect ornament for the people you love from their wide selection of handmade ornaments including beachy flip-flop-themed ornaments, recreations of lighthouses, and quaint beach scenes that will have you longing for your next trip to the Outer Banks. You can also check out The Christmas Shop and General Store in Manteo where they’ve been serving up unique gifts and an even more unique shopping experience for over 50 years! Some of their beautiful, handmade ornaments include hand-painted baubles and sand dollars with enticing beach imagery, “My 1st Beach Trip” memorabilia, and Outer Banks wildlife designs that keep the spirit of the beach in your heart all year round.
And if DIY is more your jam, check out our guide to DIY Beach-Themed Christmas Gift Ideas for some fun and creative Do-It-Yourself gift ideas that everyone on your list will love.
OBX Gift Certificates
Sometimes, nothing can quite scratch that itch for an exciting time on the Outer Banks like actually planning for an adventure in the surf and sand. So why not get the thrill-seeker in your life a gift certificate so that they’ll be ready to go the next time they make their way to the Outer Banks? Kitty Hawk Kites offer a wide variety of “Adventure Gift Certificates” where you can choose from hang gliding, kayaking, wild horse tours, and even biplane tours and walking ghost tours! And if you’re not totally sure what they’re going to like, you can also purchase a general gift card that they can use for whatever adventure suits their fancy on their next trip! It really is a win-win gift.
And if you’re shopping for someone that isn’t really into adventures but still loves the Outer Banks, how about getting them an Outer Banks Restaurant Association Gift Certificate? These gift certificates expire one year from the date of issue and can be redeemed at many of the Outer Banks’ best restaurants including Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar, the Black Pelican, Colington Cafe, and Kill Devil Grill! So why not give them something you know they’ll love and make their next trip to the Outer Banks even more memorable? (Please note: Restaurants must be current members of the Outer Banks Restaurant Association at the time of redemption. Please verify a restaurant’s membership on OBRA’s website here.)
An OBX Vacation for Next Year
There are a lot of great, local gift ideas on this list that will help bring the Outer Banks home for holidays with the people you love. But sometimes, it just doesn’t get any better than an actual trip to the Outer Banks! So why not give them something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives and book an exciting, luxurious Outer Banks vacation for your family? We even offer physical gift certificates that we will print out and mail to you (for no additional cost) so that you can have something to put under the tree and enjoy the thrill of seeing their happy faces on Christmas morning. Check out our available rentals and pick out the ultimate Outer Banks vacation rental for you and your family.
And it’s never too early to start planning for next year. Here are a few reasons why you should go ahead and book your 2023 Outer Banks vacation now!
