Lowcountry shops are emporiums of chic and one-of-a-kind wares. From venerable antiques purveyors to pop-up shop entrepreneurs, there is something to suit every holiday wish list. One of the wonderfully unique aspects of shopping in Charleston is the abundance of multigenerational merchant families, a staple of the local shopping experience for more than a century.
Individuality meets affordability at Affordabike, Charleston's custom beach cruiser manufacturers. Pick a frame and give it some flair with the fun 1-2-3 website that allows for countless customized options—everything from pink fenders to a gold chain.
www.affordabike.com
Meander South of Broad or out to Sullivan's Island with hardcover Lowcountry literature. Bestselling authors like Pat Conroy and Dorothea Benton Frank are celebrated for their poetic interpretations of the Charleston area, and the independently owned Blue Bicycle Books stocks the area's best selection of books by local authors.
www.bluebicyclebooks.com
Trim your tree with ornaments celebrating Lowcounty landmarks and the artisan craft of blacksmith. The selection of 24k goldplate on brass ornaments available at Historic Charleston Foundation's City Market shop ranges from a depiction of the Nathaniel Russell House façade to the Pineapple Gates, the often-photographed private entrance to a Legare Street mansion.
www.historiccharleston.org
A haberdasher's treasure trove filled with tortoise shell spectacles, cashmere sweaters, tuxedoes and other dapper duds, this Lower King apparel outpost is one of the nation's leading purveyor of jewelry-quality blazer buttons and regimental bow ties like this red and green holiday dandy.
www.bensilver.com
Browse the collection of fine art depicting Lowcountry life at the Edward Dare Gallery before setting off on a photographic journey through the Lowcountry with Seeing Charleston, a field guide sold at the Broad Street shop.
www.edwarddare.com
Charleston is a treasure trove of resplendent heirloom silver, and one peculiar-looking piece of flatware stands out as an iconic Lowcountry gift. The ancestral rice spoon, with its unusually long spindle, dates to the plantation era, when delicacies were cooked inside game dishes. Synonymous with holiday feasts, this gift is as beautiful as it is useful, and the selection of Charleston Rice Spoons at Croghan's Jewel Box dazzles.
www.croghansjewelbox.com
Show your southern flair with a finely crafted palm tree pendant necklace forged from 18-carat gold from noted jewelry designer Roberto Coin. Everyone loves a little sparkle during the holiday season!
www.robertocoin.com
This cup takes a lickin' and keeps drinks chilled out—or heated up—in style. Double insulted so it is virtually condensation proof and emblazoned with the Charleston Angler's swishy orange colored fish logo, this tumbler goes from picnic to Christmas parade without missing a beat.
www.thecharlestonangler.com
There is no better way to sweeten up a stocking than with this local wildflower honey. Our Charleston honey is perfect with tea, cheese or by the spoonful. Visit our store on 216 King Street or visit us online.
www.savannahbee.com
With its sliver of crescent moon and Palmetto Tree silhouette, the South Carolina state flag is an iconic emblem that is worn with pride by locals and visitors alike. The flag was born of a key Revolutionary War victory, when the palmetto log walls of Fort Moultrie held up against British cannon fire. Start every day with Patriotic resolve and this handcrafted coffee mug bearing the flag's motif.
www.sandpipergallery.net
Don't let the name fool you! The Charleston Hooker grill tool, made from James Island Cherry wood, will make your backyard barbecue action a cinch. Use the hook to turn fresh fish or sides of meat effortlessly.
www.wonderworkscharleston.com