This content was created in partnership with Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
If there’s one thing we all need at the end of 2020, it’s a holiday season filled with our favorite traditions.
Of course, many of those traditions will look a little (or a lot) different this year. But celebrating the holidays at home doesn’t mean we can’t support our favorite Charlotte spots. Local businesses have gotten extra creative to make it so you can still safely enjoy their products and services from the comfort of your living room.
Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or just relaxing after a long week, here are some ideas to help you make the most of your holiday season from home.
Food
By now, almost all restaurants are offering some sort of curbside pickup or delivery option, but if you want to kick things up a notch, here are some of our go-to picks.
Babe & Butcher
Husband and wife duo making gorgeous charcuterie boards
Details: Full-size boards feed 10-15 and start at $125. Individual boxes start at $16.
Stagioni
Myers Park Italian spot with great pizzas served (when you’re dining in) with giant scissors to cut them with
Details: Of course, you can just get pizzas to go off the menu, but it’s way more fun to make them yourself. Stagioni sells a take-home pizza kit that comes with pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and meats for 2 ($25).
Your Farms, Your Table
Chef Sam Diminich was previously the executive chef at the now-closed Upstream and was a Beat Bobby Flay winner
Details: You’ll have a few hints about the menu, but ultimately the three-course gourmet meal that shows up at your door will be a surprise. Meals start at $30.
Zia Pia Italian Imports
7th Street Public Market spot with authentic Italian ingredients, hot food, and gift boxes
Details: Whether or not you feel like cooking, they have options. Go with a ready-to-bake dinner for instant comfort food, or a dinner kit if you want to put your chef’s hat on ($12+). Both are available for delivery.
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen
Professional chef based in South End that has perfected to-go meals
Details: Family Table meals start at $32, feed four, and are designed to travel and reheat perfectly. You can pick up, or they offer same-day delivery if you order by 11 a.m.
Photo via Chef Alyssa’s kitchen and @dailyspecialsclt
CLT Cheese Chick
Cheese expert that offers boards, grazing tables, and picnics
Details: Book a classic picnic and the Cheese Chick will come to a location of your choice and set up a gorgeous boho picnic with an assortment of cheeses, meats, accouterments, and sparkling beverages for $50 per person. There are also brunch and date night packages.
It’s Poppin!
Gourmet popcorn served by the bag outside 7th Street Public Market
Details: You can pick up popcorn outside 7th Street market Thursday-Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. They’re also offering curbside pickup and local delivery for online orders. You can even order a customizable holiday tin with your favorite flavors.
Heart and Soul Personal Chef Service
Team of personal chefs that bring the restaurant experience to you.
Details: You can book a date night ($425) or dinner party ($95 per person) and they take care of everything (including the dishes).
Drinks
Though takeout liquor sales aren’t allowed in North Carolina, many restaurants are selling cocktail kits that contain everything you need to be your own bartender, minus the spirits.
Margarita Mix from Sabor
Details: Take taco night up a notch with fresh-made marg mix ($4 per serving) – just add tequila and triple sec and you’re done. You can order online or call your closest location.
Cocktail Kits from Bardo
Details: Bardo has lots of different kits to choose from starting at $8. They’ll provide all of the ingredients (except the liquor) pre-measured. On the weekends, you can even order a mimosa kit.
Pro tip: complete your cocktail kits with spirits from a local distillery like Doc Porter’s or Great Wagon Road.
Wine case from Assorted Table Wine Shoppe
Details: Let them know your budget, preferences, and number of bottles and they’ll put together a custom case of wine for you.
DIY beer tasting
Details: This one is pretty self-explanatory – head to a grocery store or bottle shop and pick up a mix of different local brews. With over 30 breweries in Charlotte, you won’t run out of options. Bonus points if you have tasting glasses at home.
Things to do
If you’ve done all the Netflix binging and home organizing you can handle, check out these cool activity kits and classes to mix up your usual routine.
Beads, Inc. at-home kit
Details: The Myers Park bead store recently sells beautiful at-home jewelry-making kits ($33+).
AR Workshop
Details: They’re offering “take & make” to-go DIY kits so you can get crafty without hunting down lots of materials. Check out a party kit or lots of Christmas ornament kits.
Sweet Spot Studio
Details: Order a Cookie Club kit and make beautifully frosted sugar cookies at home. Each box ($55) contains 2 sets of cookies and everything you need to decorate them (including royal icing). Plus. Sweet Spot Studio will post videos with instructions on their site.
Jules and Vetiver
Details: Jules and Vetiver is known for small-batch, high-quality fragrances. Now, you can mix your own fragrance at home with friends ($34/person). The Fragrance Bar Kit includes detailed instructions, plus all of their customized top, middle, and base notes, blended and ready to be sampled.
SkillPop
Details: SkillPop pivoted earlier this year and introduced SkillPop Anywhere, a lineup of online classes you can take at home. Your group can take crafty classes like Holiday Envelope Art, Pie Dough from Scratch, and Holiday Wreath Design.
Paddywax Candle Bar
Details: Make your own candles at home with a customizable build-your-own candle kit that includes everything you need (including choice of vessel and fragrance). You can use an optional 30-minute Q&A with the candlemaking pros or just follow step-by-step instructions on your own.
Decorations
Spending so much time at home this year might have you wishing for a change of scenery and the holiday season is the perfect time to mix up your decor.
Peppermint Forest
Details: Peppermint Forest is one of the country’s largest Christmas shops and has been in business for over 40 years. Shopping there is an experience in itself. It’s open seven days a week at 11729 Carolina Place Parkway.
Houseplants
As the weather cools down and we start to spend more time indoors, some plant babies can help make you feel less cooped up. Grow, PlantBar, and Shades of Moss are all newly-opened and locally-owned plant shops to check out.
Confetti Castle
Details: As their website explains, “confetti is always appropriate.” Make your space extra festive with a balloon arch or special streamers. To get started, fill out an installation request form.
Paper Skyscraper
Details: The classic Charlotte gift store is also a go-to for holiday decoration and accessories. Grab some festive drinkware and a gorgeous coffee table book. Open seven days a week at 330 East Blvd, Charlotte.
VTGCLT Pop-Up
Details: The pop-up shop will be at The Metropolitan through December 23 with unique vintage and handmade items. You can shop in-person or online. If shopping in-person, you can make an appointment to skip the line.
Want more inspiration for your at-home holiday celebrations? Check out charlottesgotalot.com for more things to eat, drink, and do in Charlotte.
This content was created in partnership with Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
