by TM Petaccia

If you are looking for some “at the deadline” presents to round out your holiday shopping, or if you are just now getting started (no judging), there’s still a little time to grab some thoughtful gifts that showcase some of the best Charlotte has to offer. Here’s where to find those last-second items that capture our city’s creativity, hospitality, and love of good food. No overnight shipping required.

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Gift baskets & sets

Reid’s Fine Foods, SouthPark / Myers Park — Since 1928, Reid’s has been a go-to provisioner for the city’s most discerning palates. Giving a Reid’s holiday food basket has become a Charlotte tradition for many families. They come in a wide variety of sizes and price points.

Orrman’s Cheese Shop, Uptown — for those who think there’s no such thing as “too much cheese,” this longtime shop inside The Market at 7th Street offers a variety of cheese assortment boxes, cheese and charcuterie boxes, and imported canned seafood boxes.

Mano Bella Artisan Foods, SouthPark — for “amanti della cucina italiana,” Mano Bella offers a wide range of Italian staples and treats in attractive baskets (premade or build your own) to make any recipient say, “Grazie!” From the shop’s handmade pastas (dry and fresh), biscotti, amaretti cookies, taralli (Italian crackers) and its own take on gummy bears to curated rissoto mixes to imported Italian olive oils, olives, coffees, preserves, anchovies, and other specialità, it’s a great one-stop shop to satisfy those on your list with Italian appetites. Bonus: if you want to hang around in the shop’s trattoria for an Aperol Spritz and a bowl of the house buccatini with wild boar ragu, even better. It’s like a reward.

Enzo’s Italian Market, Stallings N.C. / Lancaster, S.C. — same as above, but more Italian cured meat and cheese focused and the widest selection of panettone flavors you’ll find anywhere.

Savory Spice Shop, South End — from spices and rub sets for the outdoor grillers on your list to those for the home baker, and those who like to explore the vast and varied world of salts and peppers, you’ll find items that will surprise and delight. Don’t forget to pick up some extra vanilla extract for your own home baking.

Sunflower Baking Company, Dilworth / NoDa / Elizabeth / Ballantyne / Harrisburg — small and large baskets contain a selection of ready-to-eat treats, cheese straws, scone mixes, hot chocolate mixes, and other goodies.

Assorted Table Wine & Shop, Uptown
The Culture Shop, Plaza Midwod-Belmont
If you missed ordering, there are still a few Unpretentious Palate Old-Fashioned Cocktail Kits available for purchase at these locations. Six of Charlotte’s top mixologists have created special OF syrups to pair with the cocktail enthusiasts on your list’s favorite whiskey. Garnishes and instructions included.

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For the coffee lover

Enderly Coffee, Enderly Park — pick three coffees and they’ll package them in a nice gift box. You can also gift your lucky recipient for a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly coffee subscription.

Night Swim Coffee, Oakhurst — grab a fun Holiday Box containing a 12 oz bag of its 2025 Holiday Blend, special cupping spoon, stickers, and Night Swim socks.

Archive CLT, Washington Heights — owner Cheryse Terry sells bags of her special Ethiopian Blend which make for great stocking stuffers or special treat on Christmas morning for yourself.

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Chocolates & sweet treats

Chocolatier Barrucand, Concord — from stuffers to centerpieces, get your chocolate Santas, reindeer, snowmen, and Christmas trees, crafted by master chocolatier Jean Luc Barrucand. You can also pick up his gingerbread houses, gingerbread men, truffle and assorted chocolate boxes, plus all sorts of yuletide (and other tide) confections.

The Secret Chocolatier, Cotswold — choose from of chocolate snack boxes and full gift sets, or create your own from the shop’s wide array of chocolate delights.

Suarez Bakery, Montford Park — for a last-minute pickup before a Christmas party or enriching the holiday atmosphere at home, Suarez has several holiday-themed cookies, cupcakes, and donuts available every day until they sell out through Christmas Eve.

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Spread a little beer cheer

Charlotte’s brewmasters always step it up over the holidays. Check out our December craft beer releases for all that’s new this month. Although some are taproom only, there are quite a few bottles, cans, and growlers you can pick up for all your beer buds. Suds count as a White Christmas too, right?

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Check our other guides

You’ll find lots of last-second ideas in these other UP holiday guides:

Charlotte restaurant gift cards
Charlotte wine experts offer their holiday picks
Gift ideas for the home bartender
Cookbooks (may be too late to ship, but check out the local bookstores)

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