Give Gifts and Give Back: Support Small Businesses in North Carolina’s High Country

North Carolina’s “High Country” has long been a treasured destination for travelers. But when Hurricane Helene turned the region’s winding rivers into raging torrents, locals and visitors feared that the High Country would never be the same. In the storm’s aftermath, local families, businesses, nonprofits, out-of-towners, and government workers joined hands in relief efforts—and the work to recover is far from over. 

Christmas Day will mark three months since Helene hit. This year, you can choose gifts that will delight your friends and family while supporting local businesses in the High Country. These are artists, craftspeople, bakers, and shop owners who are working hard to support their families. Following Helene, many of them lost vital income when Boone and Blowing Rock were closed to tourists. 

We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ways for you to give gifts while giving back to the High Country this holiday season. 

Owned and operated by a Blowing Rock family, Firelight Candle produces high-quality candles hand-poured in small batches using natural soy wax and premium fragrance oils. The Cranberry (cranberry, champagne, and praline) is a holiday favorite! Next time you visit Blowing Rock, stop into Firelight Book and Candle’s brick-and-mortar location where you can test each scent and pick up your next page-turner. Available in-store at 110 Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock or online at firelightcandle.com.

Handmade from start to finish, each piece of jewelry crafted by Leti Sandoval, owner of Sugar & Steel, is a wearable work of art. Using precious metals, glass, and leather, Leti creates one-of-a-kind designs sure to make a memorable gift this season. We love The Balance Earrings, the perfect accessory to bring a touch of balance to any outfit. Purchase one of Leti’s pieces through her Etsy shop, and follow her on Instagram so you know where her next pop-up show will be.

Artisans Cole and Hannah Avery have curated a collection of locally-made products and quality goods at their Ellison location on King Street in Boone, North Carolina. Their vision is to offer practical goods that bring joy, whether it’s with the mug you use to sip your morning coffee with or the wallet you carry in your back pocket. Cole, a leatherworker of seven years, was inspired by the mountain vistas surrounding Boone to create the Blue Ridge Wallet. Available in a variety of colors, it’s a great option for slimming down a larger wallet or pairing with a small crossbody bag. Find your perfect gift at ellisonnc.com and be sure to stop in to say hello to Cole and Hannah in their charming store at 718 W King Street in Boone. 

Drawing inspiration from the stunning landscapes of North Carolina, artist and owner of The White Crowe Studio Lauren Crowe creates limited edition prints using a reduction printmaking technique. Take the Long Way Home was influenced by the Linn Cove Viaduct and brings this iconic Blue Ridge Parkway feature to life through seven layers of color and embossing. Read more about Lauren’s unique process and view additional works that could make the perfect gift for the art collector in your life. Purchase your print at thewhitecrowe.com and get a behind-the-scenes look at Lauren’s work at @thewhitecrowe. 

Handmade in Boone by Natalie Rodeniser, Lux and Lye is a line of luxury soaps and skincare products designed to nourish skin with natural ingredients. The Seasonal Selections Gift Set Box is the perfect treat for someone you love–or for yourself! Beautifully packaged, it includes full-sized bars of the best-selling Pumpkin Chai, Winter Woods, and Peppermint Bar soaps. Purchase your gift set and get 15% off your first order at luxandlye.com.

Haylee Greene, the artist and baker behind Ridgeline Cookie Co., creates treats that are so stunning you almost won’t want to eat them. Send one dozen of her festively decorated, signature soft-bite vanilla cookies to your favorite person this holiday season. Haylee’s cookies are available via priority shipping, local delivery, or local pickup. Place your order on the Ridgeline Cookie website, and follow @ridgelinecookieco for mesmerizing cookie decorating videos. 

Ask any local where the best coffee is in Boone and they will tell you: “Go to Hatchet.” Offering a variety of exceptional roasts, seasonal lattes featuring house-made syrups, and an assortment of pastries, granola, and other treats, Hatchet has a sip or a bite for everyone. The Resilient Blend is balanced with notes of toffee, dark chocolate, and dried fruit–and 50% of proceeds go to supporting local Hurricane Helene relief efforts. We recommend picking up a bag in person at 150A Den Mac Drive if you find yourself in Boone, or you can purchase Hatchet’s blends at hatchetcoffee.com. 

Owner and artisan behind The Mountain Thread Company, Kat Lile has combined her passion for creativity, community, and mountain culture to create a working studio and shop in the heart of downtown Blowing Rock. The Mountain Thread Company specializes in coiled rope basketry, a technique that brings together artists and appreciators of all skill levels. One of Kat’s best-selling items, the Basket Tray with Knot, can be used as an elegant bread basket, an entryway catchall, or stylish organizer in any space. Visit Kat’s shop in The Martin House at 1098 Main St. in Blowing Rock, or purchase online at themountainthreadcompany.com. 

Looking for more ways to support hurricane relief from afar? See how this standard holiday purchase can give back.