With the holiday season approaching fast, it's time to start thinking about what to get the OBX-lover in your life. While we're always going to suggest an Outer Banks vacation (with a handy little gift voucher, more on that below), we've also compiled some of the best local Outer Banks gifts that are sure to make the holidays special for your loved ones. Take a look at some of these awesome options that will have you supporting local artists and label you the best gift-giver in the family this year.
Wes Snyder Photography's 2025 Calendar
Price: $30
When you love the Outer Banks, there's really no better way to spend each day than taking a look at some of the best photography on the beach with Wes Snyder's 2025 Outer Banks Calendar! This year marks the 7th annual calendar with some of the best photos that Snyder has ever taken. More of a night owl? He also offers the Nightscapes version which highlights the beauty of the Outer Banks at night. However you look at it, this gift is an amazing choice for the OBX Lover in your life.
Art from a Local OBX Artist
Price: Varied
It's one thing to enjoy the splendor of the Outer Banks on your Outer Banks vacation. Why not take it one step further and bring a piece of the Outer Banks home with you? The OBX is home to many talented artists who create nothing less than magic with their work. Pick up something absolutely amazing from Stephanie Kiker, who channels the OBX environment into each one of her brightly colored pieces. And be sure to check out Megan Rubino's watercolors with Yellow Sol Studio or Jackie Koenig's oil paintings. Noah Snyder specializes in custom ocean artwork while James Melvin is a solid staple of the Outer Banks art community. 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. 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!
Ceramics from Swell Ceramics
Price: $4.00 - $168.00
If you're looking for a way to celebrate local artists while finding the perfect gift for your loved ones, check out the pottery of Swell Ceramics. Melanie is an Outer Banks local who specializes in gorgeous ocean-themed pottery with an oceanside flaire. Choose from a wide selection of mugs, plates, and other gifts like apparel, magnets, and ornaments. Swell Creamics offers something for everyone ready to celebrate the Outer Banks this holiday season.
Apparel, Ornaments, and Other Gifts Supporting the Corolla Wild Horse Fund
Price: $7.00 - $42.00
For the family horse lover, you can't go wrong with something from the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. They got everything from sweatshirts to t-shirts to ornaments, games, and mugs. And when you shop with Corolla Wild Horse Fund, 100% of the profits go to management and care of the Corolla Banker horses. An annual sponsorship of a rescued Corolla Banker horse makes a thoughtful and special gift to give. Show your support of the Fund with the meaningful gift of an annual membership available in variety of levels.
Local Outer Banks Coffee
Price: $20
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 their OBX vacation (which also makes a great gift *wink wink*). 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!
Infused Oil & Vinegar from Outer Banks Olive Oil
Price: Bundles Range from $26.99 - $79.99
Enjoy the taste of the beach all year round with an olive oil bundle from Outer Banks Olive Oil. Check out their delicious bundles of vinegars, oils, and spices to bring your home cooking to the next level! Dark blasamic vinegar is great on a salad while their sweet and spicy bundle ensures that your next seafood feast will have the family talking for weeks! And when you spend $100, you get free shipping! Their olive oils are amazing on anything and everything. Be sure to grab a loaf of crusty French bread and dip for a surreal Outer Banks experience in the comfort of your own home!
Brew Thru Gear
Price: Varied
Brew Thru is one of the staples of the Outer Banks. People come from all over to experience the unique nature of this drive-through drink and snack emporium. But when you can't get down to the beach for your gear, be sure to grab some apparel and other goodies at the BT Shop. Pick out the cutest tie-dye drinkwear, t-shirts, and other fun gift ideas that will go great in a stocking! They've also got bottle openers on lanyards so you can party like you're at the beach anytime you want.
An OBX Holiday/Christmas Ornament
Price: $10.00 - $60.00
Not be on the nose, everyone in your family will absolutely love a festive reminder of the Outer Banks to hang on their tree this year! Many local shops like The Christmas Mouse in Nags Head and The Christmas Shop in Manteo are great choices for ornaments themed around coastal Christmases—think sand dollars painted like Santa, miniature lighthouses adorned with holly, and starfish decorated as snowflakes. Consider pairing them with an Outer Banks vacation, and you've got the perfect Christmas gift that everyone will be talking about for years to come!
A Hammock Chair from Nags Head Hammocks
Price: $179.99 - $329.99
Picture it now: relaxing in a hammock on the deck of your Outer Banks vacation rental, the warm sun on your skin and the smell of the nearby ocean on the air. How about capturing that in your gift this holiday season? Check out Nags Head Hammocks to find the perfect hammock or hammock accessory thank your loved ones will be thanking you for all year long. Single and double hammock swings are perfect for porches and smaller spaces while full-size hammocks can transport you back to the warm welcome of the Outer Banks from wherever you are in the world. And Nags Head Hammocks has been offering quality hammocks as a staple of the Outer Banks community since 1974 making this gift idea a must for the relaxation aficionado in your life.
A Colorful Sports Kite from Kitty Hawk Kites
Price: $9.99 - $89.99
Are some of your favorite Outer Banks memories from the time you psent at Jockey's Ridge? Does the whole family love seeing those bright, colorful kites fly throughh the air at the Outer Banks Kite Festival or the Annual Kites With Lights event? Take a look at Kitty Hawk Kites' Holiday Gift Guide for a wide assortment of amazing gifts that will have your whole family heading outside for some fresh air with their new kites. You'll find gorgeous spinners for the yard and super cool 3D and box kites that are made to impress. From stunt kites to beach gear, Kitty Hawk Kites can bring the Outer Banks to your next holiday season!
The Outer Banks Candle Company
Price: $12.95 - $29.99 for gifts; $29.95 and up for Antique Candles and Bundles
The next best thing to smelling the salt in the air off the ocean is lighting up a candle that will bring the scents of the Outer Banks right into your own home! Pick up something for that OBX-lover in your life from The Outer Banks Candle Company. Based out of Kitty Hawk, this local small business offers mason jar candles, pillar candles, room sprays, and more to make sure that your home smells like the Outer Banks all year round! Be on the lookout for Virtual Craft Shows which mean exciting new products and amazing savings! You also get a FREE candle on your birthday when you sign up for the newsletter, so it really is a win-win this holiday season!
Outer Banks Restaurant Association Gift Certificate
Price: $25
For the Outer Banks-lover in your life, why not think about getting 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 (more on that next!) 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.
A Vacation with Seaside Vacations
If you're still stuck trying to find the perfect gift this holiday season, look no further than an Outer Banks vacation! Let them celebrate their love of the Outer Banks in real-time as they enjoy the surf, sand, and sun that only comes with being able to stick your toes in the sand. We can even send you a physical gift certificate (for no additional charge) so that you've got something to put under the tree. Enjoy the thrill of seeing them open up an unforgettable beach vacation and get ready to be the most popular gift-giver in the family! Take a look at some of our available rentals and pick out the ultimate Outer Banks vacation rental for you and your family. Give our amazing Guest Services team a call at 800-395-2525 toll-free with any questions you may have! We want your holiday gift-giving and your next Outer Banks vacation to be completely hassle-free.
We'll see you at the beach!
