The Christmas gift-giving season is upon us, and while the “it’s the thought that counts” sentiment may ring true for some, there’s something to be said for thoughtful giving that also supports Chatham County’s economy.
As the holiday countdown gets closer and closer to the 25th, we’ve helped take some of the pain and pressure of shopping off with a selection of unique, local gifts for those family and friends on your “nice” list. The best news: you don’t have to go far to get them.
From: Cackalacky in Pittsboro
The Cackalacky Cheerwine Gift Pack includes a 16-oz. mason jar of Cackalacky’s Cheerwine Sweet Sauce, a 12-oz. Cheerwine soft drink in classic glass bottle, and official Cheerwine and Cackalacky stickers.
Description: The folks at Cackalacky believe that everyone agrees that Cackalacky eats are always best enjoyed with friends and proper drink. And, in the case of Cheerwine, they actually took this maxim quite literally by developing a sweet ‘n savory “tomato-based” dipping-grilling sauce and marinade that’s actually made with the original Cheerwine secret formula and the company’s “Famously Original” secret Cackalacky spice blend. The result: Cackalacky Cheerwine Sweet Sauce, something they call a “legendary handshake between lively Southern food and drink.”
Why gift it?: Two uniquely tasty North Carolina brands joined together for one great local gift.
Price: $7.95
Coordinates: Pittsboro retailers carrying Cackalacky products include Pittsboro Feed, Chatham Marketplace, Carolina Cravings, Fair Game and Deep River Mercantile. In addition, you’ll find them at Lowes Foods, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, and Publix store throughout N.C. and S.C. You can shop online. Use this discount code at checkout for 10% off (through Dec. 30): ILOVECHATHAM
From: Starrlight Mead in Pittsboro
Description: Mead is wine made from honey, and the Honeyed Spiced Apple is perfect for the holidays. The Sliced Apple Mead has flavors of honeyed apple with cinnamon, clove, allspice, nutmeg and orange peel. Enjoy it warm by the fire for a real treat. Or get a trio of meads and include Cranberry Orange and Traditional Off-dry for really special meads to share.
Why gift it? It’s Starrlight Mead’s best selling mead every year for the past 11 years.
Price: $22
Coordinates: You can order online or at the shop at 130 Lorax Lane. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 12-6 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m. 919-533-6314
From: J.R. Moore & Son in Gulf
Description: Gulf’s unique country store carries an array of hats with monogramming of surrounding localities and graphics that are related to the region.
Price range: $18-$30
Coordinates: The store is located at 865 Thrift Road, just off U.S. Hwy. 421 near the Lee County line. Website: jrmooreson.com. 919-898-2998.
From: bmc brewing in Pittsboro
Description: For all your holiday gift giving needs, bmc brewing merchandise is available. The beer lovers — or explorers — will love a gift from Pittsboro’s first nanobrewery located in the heart of The Chatham Beverage District. All of their beers are made on site and are available in cans or growlers for take out. Winter favorites include Baby’s Oatmeal Stout, Uisce Móna Stout or Barrel Aged Uisce Móna Stout. But if you don’t know what your beer lover’s favorite, try a $20 gift certificate!
Price: $5-$80
Coordinates: bmc is located at The Plant, 213 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro. Website: bmcbrewing.com. 919-704-8567
From: Southern Supreme in Bear Creek
Description: Southern Supreme’s fruitcakes aren’t just your average fruitcakes, they’re a legacy of a Scott Family tradition. Southern Supreme’s famous fruitcakes come in sizes ranging from 8 oz. to 4.5 lbs., depending on your serving needs. Their fruitcakes are moist, chewy and full of nuts, perfect for a holiday treat. Their old fashioned cake is made in their kitchen with the best of everything a proper fruitcake should have. And, plenty of it too; with rich English walnuts, fresh pecans, golden raisins, dates, pineapple and candied cherries, each cake is hand decorated and beautifully packaged.
Note: Fruitcakes ordered after Dec. 12 won’t be ready to ship until after the holidays, but they’ll be a nice post-holiday goodie.
Price: $8.25-$51.50
Coordinates: The showroom is located at 1699 Hoyt Scott Road in Bear Creek; Order online; 1-877-815-0922
From: Aromatic Roasters in Pittsboro
Description: Aromatic is creating custom gift bags for the coffee lover. They generally all include a half pound or more of one of single-origin coffees roasted right here in Pittsboro, as well as other coffee related items which could include coffee brewing equipment, locally made mugs by Stillman Browning-Howe, local honey and more.
Something unique/special about it: Aromatic sources and roasts some of the best coffee around, offering coffees from 10 or more origins, including Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Guatemala, Honduras, Java and Costa Rica — meaning there’s something for any coffee lover.
Price: $25-$100
Coordinates: Custom gift bags and more available at 697 Hillsboro St., Ste. 101, in Pittsboro. Website: aromaticroasters.com — but the custom gift bags will need to be in-person or call in for purchase. 919-228-8345.
From: Tienda Hispana El Rayo in Pittsboro
This authentic Mexican restaurant’s 40-ounce Cazuelitas make the perfect holiday gift. This beautiful bowl is hand painted in Mexico and oven safe. Make it extra special and bake your favorite comfort food or dessert in it to give as a gift.
Price: $15.99
Coordinates: visit the store at 119 Hillsboro Street in Pittsboro to purchase.
From: Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro
Description: Carolina Brewery’s Sriracha Steak Sauce is perfect for steaks, sausage dogs, scrambled eggs or any dish that needs some extra Carolina zing! Their bold steak sauce kicks things up a notch with a sriracha blend of fresh chili peppers, vinegar and garlic. Tangy, savory, and spicy, it’s the perfect sauce for steaks, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself putting it on everything. It’s the perfect gift for the Grill Master, Home Chef, or Foodie in your life.
Price: $6
Coordinates: Pick up a bottle (or two) at either of Carolina Brewery’s brewpubs — 120 Lowes Drive #100, Pittsboro, or 460 W Franklin Street, Chapel Hill — or on their website or on Amazon.
From: FireClay Cellars in Siler City
The owners of FireClay Cellars picked out land on Bowers Store Road — off U.S. Hwy. 64, between Siler City and Pittsboro — back in 2010 because of its unique terroir. The site is perfectly suited for certain types of grapes. Erik Mitran and his team harvest and process the grapes and turn them into wonderfully balanced Chambourcin and Chardonel wines and blends.
Description: FireClay’s Mulled Chambourcin is a perfect holiday wine. It’s made from oak-aged Chambourcin, but with a special touch: natural blueberry, orange peel, anise, clove and cinnamon were added to create a semi-sweet, balanced mulled wine — which can be served warm or used in a variety of holiday recipes.
Price: $19/bottle
Coordinates: Visit FireClay in person (open daily except Tuesday and Wednesday; check website for tasting details) or order online. 919-663-2599.
From: The Chatham Rabbits
Description: Austin and Sarah McCombie, the Americana husband-wife duo from Bynum, is selling a comfy crewneck is a nod to the song, “The Good Things (Outweigh The Bad)” by Flatt and Scruggs, latered covered by the couple on their 2019 album, “All I Want from You.” The song has become their theme since quitting corporate jobs to play music full-time, their website says, adding their hope that “the sweatshirt keeps you warm and cozy and reminds you that the good things outweigh the bad!”
Price: $40
Coordinates: shop online at chathamrabbits.com. (And of course the band’s music is available there, too.)