Insider Katie Bailey's Ways to Give Gifts and Give Back This Holiday Season in NC

Katie Bailey from Visit NC here. As you undoubtedly know, the western part of our beautiful state was hit hard by Hurricane Helene at the end of September, essentially stopping travel to much of the mountains. Over the last month, we have seen the incredible work of those communities in their recovery as most of the region is now welcoming visitors again. 

As an Asheville native with family from Bryson City to Laurel Springs, I am intimately connected to these mountains. I have wept for the immense loss and cheered for the comebacks of each community. In times of catastrophe, it’s hard to know how to help – so I’m thrilled to share ideas for how to support immediately and in the future.

Check out my insider guide to shopping in the mountains (grab those gifts early!), staying in a cozy inn and hitting the ski resorts. The mountains thank you.

Visit open areas

The biggest impact you can make right now is taking a trip to areas that are welcoming visitors. Go and stay a few nights, eat at local restaurants (and tip generously), attend a fall or holiday festival, and shop at small businesses. You’d be amazed at how much of an impact it makes for you to just show up and show you’re thinking about the people of our mountains.

Great Smoky Mountains

Areas in the southern and westernmost parts of our mountains were largely unaffected by the storm, and some even still have fall color on their trees! If you (like me) are not ready for winter quite yet, this is a great place to start.

High Country

North Carolina’s High Country is Christmas tree country, and many choose-and-cut farms are ready to welcome you this season to bring home a fresh Fraser fir (just like the one in the White House).

Asheville

My hometown is known for its tourism (the baseball team is the Asheville Tourists, for goodness's sake!). While this special mountain city still has a lot of rebuilding to do in certain areas, your thoughtful visit will help keep Asheville filled with the unique experiences people have come to expect. What I’m hoping to do when I get back in town: 

• Christmas at Biltmore: It never gets old seeing a Christmas tree in every room and enjoying the warmth of the Conservatory on chilly mountain days.
• Chai Pani: I'm heading to the new location and crossing my fingers they have green mango chaat on the menu that day.
• Shop at my favorite stores (more on that below).

Before heading to the mountains, research local information sources to have the best plan for your visit. Explore Asheville is a great place to start.

Plan a future visit

If a visit is not in the cards right now, make a commitment to visit North Carolina in the future. A trip makes a great holiday gift and an exciting event to look forward to in the new year. Here's a few ideas to start planning:

Ski areas

Skiing in Western NC has come a long way since I was swishing down the runs at Wolf Laurel (now Hatley Pointe) in middle school. I recommend building a whole adventure out of a winter trip to the peaks. Don’t knock snowshoeing till you try it!

COZY Mountain towns

For those who prefer soft adventure – winter and spring seasons are the perfect time for romantic getaways, cozy coffee shops in small towns and slow travel days. Here’s what I’m hoping to do next year:

• Grab an oat milk latte from Orchard coffee in Waynesville and shop downtown.
• Check in and check out the renovated High Hampton in Cashiers. (Pro tip: they still have availability for Valentine’s Day weekend!)
• Enjoy the spring views or curl up with a good book in Little Switzerland.

NC's Piedmont and coast

If bigger cities or hundreds of miles of coastline are more your speed, here’s my shortlist of places I want to explore more next year:

• Bald Head Island: I've never been here, but I’ve always wanted to go. I’m a sucker for a golf cart, which is the only motorized transportation allowed on the island.
• Duplin County: specifically the Country Squire Restaurant, Inn & Winery, which is part of the NC Haunted Trail.
• Winston-Salem: I’ve been wanting to spend more time in this cool central city since being there for work a while back. Top three things I’d do over a weekend: stay at The Katharine; eat pink lemonade cake at Dewey’s, and enjoy the art and gardens at Reynolda House Museum of American Art.

Shop Western NC this holiday season

Shopping local makes a huge impact – your dollar goes directly into the community when you shop from local businesses and helps support their growth and the success of their community.

Katie's favorite things (aka: what I’m gifting and wishing for this year)

East Fork: Anything from this Asheville-based ceramic studio, where 5 percent of profits go to hurricane relief through the end of the year. Start with The Mug and build from there. One undersung cabinet hero of mine is The Breakfast Bowl (perfect for snacking!).

Mast General Store: USA-made clothing from this Valle Crucis original is a great place to start at the store that has everything from cast iron skillets to old timey candy to backpacking tents. I'm getting socks made for hiking in the mountains (or being cozy at home) for my family this year.

Wine from the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA: I love the Cab from Stone Ashe, and I really want to try the Apple Wine from Burntshirt. Bonus points if you throw in a visit to one of these mountaintop vineyards and buy a bottle (or a case!) in person.

City Lights Bookstore: Buy some books on Appalachia (or anything!) from this independent bookstore in Sylva. They have online shopping and recommendations from their staff, including their resident cat, Cedric.

Hatchet Coffee: I like this Boone roastery’s Colombia blend, but I'll be gifting the Resilient Blend this year; 50 percent of proceeds from the sale of each bag will go toward local Helene relief efforts.

New Morning Gallery: For the truly one-of-a-kind gift, choose a piece of original art from a North Carolina artist at this Biltmore Village-based gallery.

Other ways to give and give back

ShopWNC: This website is working with communities across the mountains to share online shopping options for businesses this holiday season.

Explore Marshall NC: The flood waters hit the second floor of buildings in the artsy downtown of Marshall. If you’d prefer to donate money rather than buy, they have set up a fund to help the town as a whole build back.

Treats Studios: This studio has compiled lists of independent artists impacted by Helene, giving options to buy directly from them or donate to their relief efforts.

Whatever you do, thank you for thinking of and supporting North Carolina’s mountain communities. Our best way to get back, is for you to come back, however you can.

Want more Western NC travel inspiration? Insider Keith Suttles has your guide to mom n’ pop shops and so much more in Morganton. Also, visit Outdoor NC for additional tips on how to connect with nature and help preserve the natural beauty of our state.