Ten Lowcountry Christmas Gifts I Would Be Happy to Give

If you've ever spent December in Charleston, you know Christmas here has its own personality. We might hang a wreath on a front door framed by palmettos, wear a sweater in the morning, and turn on the air conditioning by lunch. There are oyster roasts, boat parades, lights downtown, and probably somebody's grandmother asking whether everyone has eaten enough.

As a Charleston girl and the person who draws our city gifts at Dodeline, I couldn't resist making a Christmas list full of Lowcountry favorites. I included five things from our own shop and five from other Charleston-area businesses I love the sound of gifting. A little local shopping goes a long way this time of year.

Five favorites from our studio

1. Charleston Landmarks Tea Towel. I firmly believe a tea towel can be a really good present, especially when the artwork means something. Our Charleston Landmarks Tea Towel brings a little tour of the city into the kitchen. Pair it with a favorite family recipe, a bag of grits, or a handwritten note for the friend who always hosts.

2. Rainbow Row Ornament. There are certain Charleston scenes that never lose their charm, and those colorful houses on East Bay Street are high on my list. Our Rainbow Row ornament is a cheerful little reminder of downtown. It works for someone who lives here, someone who moved away, or the friend who insists on taking the Rainbow Row picture every visit.

3. Waterfront Park Ornament. You know the feeling of walking toward the harbor, finding a bench, and watching the water for a few minutes? That's what the Waterfront Park ornament makes me think of. With the Pineapple Fountain as its star, it's a lovely gift for anyone whose Charleston memories involve leisurely downtown afternoons.

4. Ravenel Bridge Ornament. The bridge might not be ancient by Charleston standards, but it's certainly part of everyday life. Our Ravenel Bridge ornament is especially fun for Mount Pleasant families, runners who love the bridge path, and anyone who recognizes that view coming into town. Several of our city ornaments offer personalization, too.

5. Charleston Toile Mug. Add coffee, tea, or hot cocoa and you're ready for Christmas morning. Our Charleston Toile Mug is one of those practical gifts that still has plenty of personality. It also pairs beautifully with a bag of locally roasted coffee, which brings us to the rest of the list.

Five more Lowcountry businesses worth shopping

6. Coffee from King Bean Coffee Roasters. King Bean roasts in North Charleston, and their Carolina-inspired coffees are a natural gift for the person who cannot begin the day without a cup. Pair a bag with that toile mug and call the gift done. Truly, that's an excellent present.

7. Biscuits or biscuit mix from Callie's Hot Little Biscuit. Charleston's Callie's has been sharing handmade biscuits for years, and biscuit mix is a fun option for a gift that doesn't need immediate refrigeration. It's perfect for the friend who knows a proper Southern breakfast is reason enough to get out of bed.

8. Heirloom grits from Marsh Hen Mill. Based on Edisto Island, Marsh Hen Mill mills beautiful Southern grains. A bag of stone-ground grits or a gift box makes a wonderful present for a home cook. Add a recipe for shrimp and grits if you're feeling especially helpful.

9. Tea from Charleston Tea Garden. A box of tea from Charleston Tea Garden on Wadmalaw Island is a fun piece of the Lowcountry to share. It's lovely with a note about visiting the tea fields, and I would never complain about finding some under the tree for my own sweet-tea habit.

10. Cocktail mixers from Bittermilk. For the friend with the good bar cart, Charleston-made Bittermilk cocktail mixers are a clever gift. They make a regular evening feel a little festive, and they're something different from the usual bottle of wine. For a non-drinker, choose one of the other delicious local treats above.

My favorite Christmas gifts have a little story attached. Maybe it's the bridge you drove across every morning, the tea you served on the porch, or a biscuit recipe you'll finally try together. I hope this list helps you find something that feels like your version of Charleston. You can shop our Charleston collection and then make a few stops with these other wonderful local makers.