As much as the Christmas season is referred to as the most wonderful time of year, it also can be incredibly stressful, and jam-packed full of activities and festivities while preparing to entertain and attempting to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. That in and of itself can be stressful, especially if you have one or more in your life who are picky in their tastes or already have everything they could ever want or need. We’ve put together some unique gift ideas for hard-to-buy-for people in South Carolina in your life to help make Christmas shopping and the season overall more enjoyable for you!
The gifts are divided into categories for ease in considering for whom in your life they would be a good fit, but some gifts fall into more than one category. We will include that information with those gifts as well. Unless otherwise noted in the item description, each photo is linked to the site where you may purchase the product, so simply click on the image credit below the photo for additional information and to buy it! At the end of the article, there will be a list of links for all merchants featured.
Entertainment - 2 Gift Ideas
1. Hallmark Movie Filmed in South Carolina
In October, the movie Girlfriendship began airing on the Hallmark channel. It was filmed in Charleston and on Edisto Island, making it the perfect gift for a girlfriend and for all those who so love our great historical city of Charleston and the surrounding area. You can order Girlfriendship on DVD on the Seaview Square Cinema website.
2. Children's Books
Sometimes the ones hard to find the right gift for are the kids. If you’ve got one in your life who enjoys reading or especially loves animals, this book is a nice idea. You can purchase this one and see other books available such as Santa's Sleigh is on its way to South Carolina on the South Carolina Museum's Cotton Mill Exchange website and The Rice Museum’s website.
Brookgreen Gardens, a beautiful wildlife preserve with botanical and sculpture gardens in Murrells Inlet, also offers children’s books, including Elliot Learns to Swim, The Friendly Fox Squirrel, Wild Turkey Day, and Angus, The Gentle Giant. Visit the Brookgreens Gardens website for more information and to purchase.
Nature/The Outdoors - 2 Gift Ideas
3. A Coffee Table Book
Also a book from Brookgreen Gardens but one we felt better fits into a nature category, this is a wonderful gift idea for people who especially love nature, gardens, and looking at related photography. Perhaps you know someone unable to get out and visit the Gardens in person but would enjoy a "virtual visit" in the comfort of their home.
4. Original Pawley’s Island Rope Hammock
Do you know about South Carolina's Hammock Coast®? It’s the coastal area in Georgetown County between Charleston and Myrtle Beach. A world-famous Original Pawley’s Island Rope Hammock for the person in your life who needs some relaxation and pampering but may not buy something like this for themselves would be delightful. There are different types of hammocks available, some with a more colorful design, and accessories such as stands are available as well.
South Carolina State Pride - 4 Gift Ideas
5. South Carolina Coast Puzzle
People of all ages enjoy puzzles. South Carolina beach lovers would particularly like this one! It’s a fun activity to do as a family or with grandchildren, perhaps over the course of a visit or vacation if it’s a larger puzzle like this one.
6. Charleston Christmas Ornament
With Charleston being consistently named for multiple years "The Best City in the U.S." by Travel+Leisure readers, you could be buying for someone who would love a Charleston-themed gift. This ornament also celebrates the rich history of Charleston, but there are many other styles of ornaments to choose from if there could be a better option for your gift recipient.
7. Philip Simmons Gate Picture Frame
This frame features intricate detail from the iconic Philip Simmons egret gate at the South Carolina State Museum. It is crafted in the United States from solid brass, polished, and plated with silver. There’s also an ornament with a similar design available on the website.
8. Handcrafted Sweetgrass Basket
The sweetgrass basket is a coveted Charleston souvenir item, very symbolic of the rich history of the area. It would make a lovely gift and, if large enough, could be filled as a gift basket with other special items.
9. Local Art Pieces
Pictured here is an artist's rendition of the Angel Oak. If your loved one has a favorite state landmark or location, what a special gift a piece of art depicting it would make.
Foodies - 2 Gift Ideas
10. Gourmet Foods
There are tons of gourmet foods of all types that would make excellent options for a gift basket or stocking stuffer. Pictured here is a chocolate business card for that proud business owner that already has everything he or she could want but whose eyes would light up seeing their business card or company logo in chocolate! This is a custom order item available from Island Fudge in Hilton Head, another popular South Carolina destination.
You will find many other gourmet food options on the Island Fudge website and at The South Carolina Museum’s Cotton Exchange website, the Sparky’s Country Store website ...
... and Food for the Southern Soul, where you can buy the creations of Jimmy Hagood, Charlestonian and famed culinarian with numerous awards and accolades. This Wild Game Marinade set would make the hunter in your life happy.
11. Taste the State Cookbook
This cookbook would be lovely for a South Carolinian who has moved out of the state and misses the cuisine from their home state! It would also even be a great gift for someone who has visited and loves the state, perhaps honeymooned, or had an amazing vacation experience here, for example.
Experience gifts - 8 Gift Ideas
This category includes gift ideas for those who don't care so much about things, but who value experiences and enjoy adventure and traveling. It's our largest category and just a sampling of what's possible!
12. Golf Getaway Package
13. Brookgreen Gardens Membership
Visit the Brookgreen Gardens website for more details and to purchase.
14. A Pet Vacation Package
How many do you know who adore their pets? Some hotels offer a pet package, such as the A Dog's World package at the John Rutledge House Inn in Charleston. The Willcox which offers the Golf Getaway package also has a great pet package.
15. Charleston Culinary Tour
Visit the Charleston Culinary Tours website for more information and to purchase.
16. Dolphin Tour
Visit the Coastal Expeditions website for more details and to purchase a tour. This one is located in the Beaufort area. There are dolphin tours available from other companies in other areas such as Charleston and Hilton Head Island as well.
17. State Parks Passport
For those who love nature and the outdoors, this would be a nice gift, enabling their entry into the state parks for hiking, camping, fishing, and more! The Select Passport only includes certain parks out of 47 total, while the All Park Passport has no limitations on which parks can be used.
18. Be a Naturalist for a Day
Edisto Beach State Park allows the rental of a naturalist backpack for a day. This is a neat idea for a young explorer to get a feel for what it's like to be a Naturalist!
19. The Gilligan Tour
This experience is perfect for the adventurous type. Lake Moultrie Kayak Tours and Rentals takes those on the tour to Boyscout Island to explore and then leaves them "to their own devices," like a survivor-style experience. They are free to explore the remote, uninhabited island and then make their way back before dusk.
Philanthropic Gifts - 2 Gift Ideas
This category is perfect for those who get more joy out of giving than receiving!
20. Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest
For a philanthropist type of recipient who also loves animals and conservation, you could Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest in their name through the program with Edisto Beach State Park. See the South Carolina State Parks Facebook post for more details.
21. Finish the Trail Donation in the Recipient's Honor
The Palmetto Trail, once completed, will be only one of 16 cross-state trails in the country. This image shows the sections of the trail that still need to be completed. If your gift recipient enjoys hiking, a donation to support this effort in their honor would be a nice gift! Visit the Palmetto Conservation website for more information.
Here's a complete list of links for all merchants featured in this list for your convenience, where you will find some other great gift ideas as well:
South Carolina Museum’s Cotton Mill Exchange
Brookgreen Gardens - Online Shop
Brookgreen Gardens - Membership
John Rutledge House Inn Packages
Lake Moultrie Kayak Rentals & Tours
Which of these gifts would fit someone on your gift list? Share with us in the comments below!
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