With the holidays looking a little different this year, it's tempting to use one-stop-shop sites like Amazon to make gift-giving as fast and easy as possible.
But Charlotte Inno has a better idea — shop local.
We've cultivated a list of Queen City-made products from eight local startups and entrepreneurs that we love — and we know you'll love, too. From baby gear to high-tech can koozies to the coolest CLT apparel out there, we've got you covered to help inspire your gift-giving efforts this holiday season.
For game night
SociaLaughs, a series of card games based around founders Anthony and Chrissy Kent's own life experiences, are perfect for upcoming holiday get-togethers, whether in-person or virtually. SociaLaughs' first and most popular release, "Passport to the Hood," focuses on Black culture and social-justice issues. SociaLaughs has released four additional games, including two "Passport to the Hood" add-ons — Vol. 2, #TrapEdition and Vol. 3, #FedsWatching — as well as a woman-focused game called "The Story of My Life" and a celebrity trivia game called "CelebSaid."
What to buy: Combo packs — $36
For the foodie in your life
Abby Kircher started in her family's kitchen and has spent the last five years turning her brand, Abby's Better Nut Butters, into delicious, all-natural snacks. The line of natural nut butters are created using nut and natural sweetener combinations like cashews, coconut, honey, almond, dates and pecans. Now, the products are sold in grocers around the country and online in nearly a dozen flavors. Abby's Better just released a new flavor, Gingersnap Cashew Butter — a sure-fire crowd pleaser around the holidays.
What to buy: Gingersnap Cashew Butter — $12.99
For the beauty lover
Rebundle, founded in 2019 by Ciara May, manufactures plant-based, biodegradable synthetic hair used for protective styles like braiding and twisting — the perfect gift for the beauty-loving, eco-conscious man or woman in your life. Though the extensions are not yet on the market, May said pre-orders will launch this month. Sign up on the Rebundle website to be notified about pre-order and launch dates.
What to buy: Plant-based synthetic hair — $8.99 each
For the CLT proud crowd
Glory Days Apparel founder JD Harris created what he describes as "Charlotte's premier nostalgia brand" in 2016. Glory Days is a brand that has quickly become recognizable in the Queen City for its unique, statement-making selection of apparel. From logo hats to sports teams collections, bold CLT-inspired designs to the ever-sought-after tie-dye hoodies, GDA offers something for everyone. Items are available online and at its Brick Yard storefront.
What to buy: Tie-dye collection — From $28
For future female leaders
Smart Girls HQ has released its new girl-focused STEM offering, Dear Smart Girl STEM Kit, just in time for the holiday season. Abi Olukeye founded Smart Girls HQ in 2018 to help bridge the gender and resource gap for young girls in the STEM field. The Dear Smart Girl STEM Kit is an electrical engineering-themed kit designed to be an independent activity for girls ages 8 to 12 and can be used by girls between ages 6 and 8 with adult supervision or assistance. Each kit comes with all of the supplies needed to create a circuit-operated headband, as well as paper and video instructions, coloring pages, an affirmation magnet and pin, and cards featuring the profiles of prolific women engineers.
What to buy: Dear Smart Girl STEM Kit — $39.99
For keeping those slim cans cold
Beach season may be over, but cold-drink season never ends. 22below, founded in 2017 by Kenny Ramsey, sells silicone koozie sleeves designed to keep cans insulated and cold with its patent-pending Cryo-Lok system, while being thin, stylish and flexible enough to fit into your back pocket. The sleeves are available in a variety of colors and are sold online in two sizes — standard and slim can.
What to buy: Slim can sleeves — $17.95
For dog parents
Skiptown, born out of Meggie Williams' dog walking startup Skipper, is a sprawling 24,000-square-foot paradise in South End that incorporates all the things a pup and its human could want in a social space: 25 beer taps — including a bone broth "beer" for the four-legged variety, food trucks, indoor and outdoor off-leash space for dogs to run free, a giant playground and splash pad, and a daycare, boarding and grooming facility. Memberships start at $300 per year, or you can add a customized gift card amount.
Skiptown gift cards — Annual memberships starting at $300
For kid parents
If you know a mom or dad who is constantly washing their baby's bibs and clothes after a messy meal, Bella Tunno's silicone baby products might be just the right gift. The product range is functional and stylish, and includes bibs, teethers, pacifier clips, bowls, trays and spoons that are heat resistant and easy to clean. Other product lines include plush, machine-washable teethers and knee pads to protect the little crawlers. If that wasn't reason enough, Bella Tunno is B Corp Certified, which means they are a mission-based company. For each product sold, one meal is provided to a child through the company's partnerships with Feeding America and The Global Foodbanking Network.
What to buy: Silicone bib — $15
