Area Guide | Events

A Lowcountry-Inspired Gift Guide from Kiawah River

Tis the season of giving! We’ve compiled the perfect list of Lowcountry-inspired gifts sourced from local makers to help make this year’s holiday season merry and bright.

Sweetgrass Baskets

For the history buff in your life, consider gifting a Lowcountry sweetgrass basket crafted by local weavers. Basket weaving has been a Lowcountry tradition since the 1600s, and sweetgrass baskets are considered works of art – often displayed in homes throughout the South as table centerpieces, fruit baskets or catch-all dishes. Traditional basket makers can be found at the intersection of Broad and Meeting streets and in the city market between Meeting and East Bay streets in downtown Charleston. At the infamous Angel Oak Tree on Johns Island, a sweetgrass basket weaver greets visitors from a screened-in porch behind the gift shop, offering a wide selection of handmade sweetgrass baskets and souvenirs.

Artwork

Natalie Taylor Humphrey brings the Lowcountry landscape into your home with her En Plein Air collection, featuring marsh flatlands, wildflower arrangements and the Kiawah River scenery accented by muted green and blue hues. Humphrey’s artwork comes in a variety of sizes and prices and is available for purchase through her online store. She offers custom paintings and portrait sessions as well.

Jewelry

Featuring handmade jewelry, leather bags and hand-died scarves, Indigo Bee Co. has an array of quality, handmade pieces for your favorite fashionista. Our top picks include the hand-painted leather clutch, single-stone sterling silver cuff, weekender bag and leather Dopp kit. Handcrafted by owner and maker Emily Brereton, the unique pieces are available at holiday markets around Charleston and through her online store.

Welcome Beads

Welcome Beads are the perfect gift for the Charleston local, visitor and enthusiast. Featuring a strand of large, wooden beads and a hand-painted oyster shell, Welcome Beads serve as a symbol of hospitality across the Lowcountry and beyond. The beads are typically hung from doorknobs or draped across coffee tables and lampshades. They can be found at shops across the Lowcountry or online through vendors such as Grit and Grace and Etsy.

Nature-Inspired Books

For the avid birdwatcher and nature enthusiast, consider enhancing their knowledge with books about the Lowcountry. For a background and history on Kiawah River and the surrounding sea islands, try Down Bohicket Road and John’s Island. Birdwatchers are sure to love Birds of Coastal South Carolina and Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide, which feature some of Kiawah River’s indigenous bird population.

Charleston Receipts Cookbook

One of the most popular cookbooks in the Lowcountry (and across the South) is the Junior League of Charleston’s Charleston Receipts. Originally created as a fundraiser by the Junior League, Charleston Receipts was first published in 1950, making it the oldest Junior League cookbook still in print. Over time, it has become a gold standard among Charleston’s home cooks and culinary experts. With a modest green and white cover and spiral-bound pages, the beloved book not only details traditional and eclectic meals, but also includes annotations honoring the history of the cuisine and the individuals who influenced it. The book can be found at the Preservation Society of Charleston or online.

Whether you’re local to the area or just passing through for some last-minute holiday shopping, these one-of-a-kind gifts offer a unique way to celebrate the holiday season and share some Lowcountry joy with the ones you love. From our Kiawah River family to yours, Happy Holidays!