Find Last Minute Gifts

With Christmas Day just around the corner, there is undoubtedly some gift shopping that remains to be done. To help you find what you’re looking for, we have an exceptional number of shopping opportunities here in North Carolina – from Southpoint in Durham, Southpark in Charlotte to the recently opened Tanger Outlet Center in Mebane near Burlington and the Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway in Blowing Rock. However, in addition to this impressive list, we have plenty of local artists and artisans who create one-of-a-kind gifts anyone would be delighted to receive.

Spruce Pine is a small town in the northwestern mountains that is known as the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree. The town took this name from the award-winning seasonal classic about the courage and power of family, The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree.

Using the same theme, the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree Store opened in November 2005 and has since filled orders from former First Lady Laura Bush and well known retailers such as A Southern Season and Mast General Store.

Last minute orders for gifts ranging from handmade wooden cutting boards to glass blown ornaments can be placed online or via phone, (866) 485-8733. The store is open year round for all of your gift and craft needs.

If you have a favorite local shop or artisan, please tell us about it in the comments section. We would love to hear about it!

Traditional Holiday Recipes to Share

Since it’s the holiday season, we thought we would share a few recipes. These recipes are for two North Carolina traditions: mulled wine and Moravian cookies.

Mulled Wine

What you’ll need:

• 2 bottles dry red wine
• 4 ounces port or brandy
• 12 whole cloves
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 large orange, zested

In about 25 minutes, this will make ten servings. For the full recipe, see here.

Moravian Spice Cookies

What you’ll need:

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon finely ground white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 large egg yolk

After two hours, you’ll have about five dozen cookies to enjoy and share. For the full recipe, see here.

If you aren’t up for making your own, we have you covered.

Established in 1975, Duplin Winery is our oldest winery and the largest winery in the South. It is located in Rose Hill and is a muscadine winery. This time of year the winery offers both a Christmas wine and hot spiced wine. The recipe for the famous Moravian spicy ginger-molasses cookies is more than 200 years old and originates in Winston-Salem. These cookies are available at Old Salem and online.

If you have other holiday traditions or favorite recipes, please share them with us in the comments section. Happy Holidays!

Christmas on the Coast

Although photos of snowy mountains are often what we associate with Christmastime, there is no better place to spend the holiday season than along our coast. With fewer crowds but plenty of events and activities, the coast is the perfect spot to start a new holiday tradition.

One of our most unique traditions is the holiday lighting of Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington. From now until Jan. 4, 2012, you can see Battleship North Carolina dressed in lights each night from downtown Wilmington. The ship is open every day, so while you are in town, you can walk her decks and experience a piece of North Carolina history. The ship participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific Ocean during World War II.

Other special events include the Festival of Trees in Greenville and Christmas by the Sea at Carolina Beach. Over 100 different trees are a part of the Festival of Trees, and each one will be decorated to represent a different Christmas theme at the Greenville Convention Center. Help spread holiday cheer by attending because all proceeds go to Family Support Network Scholarships, benefitting families throughout Eastern North Carolina. Christmas by the Sea at Carolina Beach is also a beautiful sight to take in – the oceanfront coves on the boardwalk are decorated and special holiday activities are available each Saturday night through New Year’s Eve.

We would love to hear about your family holiday traditions – from the mountains to the coast. Please share them with us in the comments section below!

Image courtesy of Family Support Network of North Carolina