With the holiday season approaching fast, it's time to start thinking about what to get the OBX-lover in your life. While we're always going to suggest an Outer Banks vacation (with a handy little gift voucher, more on that below), we've also compiled some of the best local Outer Banks gifts that are sure to make the holidays special for your loved ones. Take a look at some of these awesome options that will have you supporting local artists and label you the best gift-giver in the family this year.
Wes Snyder Photography's 2027 Calendar
Price: $30
If your favorite OBX lover can't look at the beach every day, give them the next best thing. Wes Snyder's 2027 Outer Banks Annual Wall Calendar is his 10th annual edition, packed with Bodie Island Lighthouse shots, Milky Way skies, sunrises, sunsets, and wildlife from all over the Outer Banks. Each month is a full-page photo worth framing. Want to go bigger? Wes also sells an autographed hardcover book, Journey Through the Outer Banks, in the same shop.
Original Art from a Local OBX Artist
Price: Varies by artist and piece
The Outer Banks is home to some seriously talented artists, and a piece of their work is a gift that hangs on the wall for years. Stephanie Kiker channels the colors of the OBX into bright, joyful pieces. Megan Rubino's watercolors at Yellow Sol Studio and Jackie Koenig's oil paintings are both local favorites. Noah Snyder specializes in custom ocean artwork, and James Melvin has been a staple of the Outer Banks art community for decades.
For smaller pieces, grab a suncatcher or gemstone art from Absolutely Outer Banks, browse Seagreen Gallery next time you're in town, or shop OBX Artist Studio on Etsy and have your gift shipped straight to the recipient.
Handmade Pottery from Swell Ceramics
Price: $4 – $168
Melanie of Swell Ceramics is an Outer Banks local who makes gorgeous ocean-inspired pottery. Pick from mugs, plates, and planters, plus smaller stocking stuffers like magnets and ornaments. A Swell mug and a bag of local coffee (keep scrolling) is about as OBX as a gift gets. Her pieces sell out often, so shop early.
Gifts That Support the Corolla Wild Horse Fund
Price: Shop items $7 – $42; memberships start at $25
For the horse lover in the family, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund gift shop has sweatshirts, tees, ornaments, books, and mugs, and 100% of profits go to caring for Corolla's Banker horses in the wild and at the rescue farm. Want a gift with even more meaning? Give an annual sponsorship of a rescued Banker horse or a Fund membership. If you're local, the Fund's museum and shop in Historic Corolla Village is open year-round.
Locally Roasted Outer Banks Coffee
Price: Around $20 per bag
Ask anyone who's had a slow morning on the deck of a beach house: the coffee just tastes better here. (See for yourself in our guide to the best Outer Banks coffee shops.) Send that feeling home with a bag of local beans. Shore Coffee Roasters in Southern Shores roasts in-house, and All-Time Coffee Roasting Co. (the roaster behind Ashley's Espresso Parlour in Kill Devil Hills) sells blends like Surfin' Spoon and Ghost Fleet online. Front Porch Cafe and Outer Bean Cafe in Kitty Hawk also offer their own OBX-themed blends. Pair it with a mug from Swell Ceramics and you're done.
Infused Oils and Vinegars from Outer Banks Olive Oil
Price: Bundles from about $27 – $80
For the home cook, a gift bundle from Outer Banks Olive Oil in Nags Head is a winner. Mix and match oils, balsamic vinegars, and spices: a dark balsamic for salads, or a sweet-and-spicy bundle that'll make their next seafood night the one everybody talks about. Add a loaf of crusty bread for dipping and it's an Outer Banks dinner at home.
Infused Oils and Vinegars from Outer Banks Olive Oil
Brew Thru Gear
Price: Varies
Few things say "we were just at the beach" like a Brew Thru shirt. This drive-thru beverage and snack stop is a true OBX icon, and the BT Shop carries tees, tie-dye drinkware, and bottle-opener lanyards. They're perfect stocking stuffers for anyone who counts the days until their next trip down.
A Coastal Christmas Ornament
Price: $10 – $60
It might be the most on-the-nose gift on this list, but everyone loves a little Outer Banks on the tree. The Christmas Mouse has been an OBX tradition since 1987, with stores in Nags Head and Duck and a whole nautical section of beach ornaments. In Manteo, The Christmas Shop is another must. Think Santa sand dollars, holly-trimmed lighthouses, and starfish dressed up as snowflakes. Tuck one into a card with an Outer Banks vacation gift certificate and you've got a gift they'll unpack every December.
A Hammock or Swing from Nags Head Hammocks
Price: About $180 – $330
Picture it: swaying on the deck of your vacation rental, warm sun, salty breeze. Nags Head Hammocks has been handcrafting hammocks on the Outer Banks since 1974. Single and double hammock swings fit porches and small spaces, and full-size hammocks bring a little OBX to any backyard. This is the gift for the relaxation pro in your life.
A Kite (or an Adventure) from Kitty Hawk Kites
Price: Kites from about $10; gift certificates in any amount
Are some of your family's best Outer Banks memories from Jockey's Ridge? Do you never miss the Outer Banks Kite Festival or Kites with Lights? Kitty Hawk Kites' online kite shop has everything from ready-to-fly beginner packages to stunt kites, 3D kites, and yard spinners. For the adventurer, a Kitty Hawk Kites gift certificate works for hang gliding, parasailing, kayak tours, and more on their next trip. Bonus: Seaside Vacations guests get exclusive Kitty Hawk Kites discounts during their stay.
Candles from The Outer Banks Candle Company
Price: About $13 – $30 for gifts; antique candles and bundles from about $30
The next best thing to that salty ocean air is a candle that brings it indoors. Kitty Hawk's own Outer Banks Candle Company makes mason jar candles, pillar candles, room sprays, and more. Sign up for their newsletter and you'll get a free candle on your birthday, so you might want to get one for yourself while you're at it.
Outer Banks Restaurant Association Gift Certificates
Price: $25 per certificate
Can't pick just one restaurant? You don't have to. An Outer Banks Restaurant Association gift certificate works at 50+ locally owned member restaurants, so your recipient gets to choose where to celebrate on their next trip. Certificates come in $25 increments, and OBRA usually runs a holiday bonus deal on bulk purchases.
Good to know: OBRA certificates are paper only and mailed via USPS, so order early for the holidays. They expire one year from the date of issue and can only be redeemed at current member restaurants. Check the member list before dining, since memberships renew each October.
The Ultimate Gift: An Outer Banks Vacation with Seaside Vacations
Still stuck? Give them the real thing. An Outer Banks vacation means sand between their toes, sunrise over the ocean, and a whole year of looking forward to it. Book a stay at one of our 450+ vacation rentals from Corolla to Hatteras Island, and we'll mail you a printed gift certificate at no extra charge so you have something to wrap and put under the tree.
A few ways to make it easier:
- Spread out the cost with our interest-free layaway plan.
- Join our email list to be first to hear about our Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on 2027 stays.
- Traveling with the whole crew? Browse large homes and dog-friendly rentals so nobody gets left out.
Questions? Our local Guest Services team is happy to help at 800-395-2525. We want your gift-giving, and your next trip, to be completely stress-free.
We'll see you at the beach!
Outer Banks Gift Guide FAQ
What's a good gift for someone who loves the Outer Banks?
Local gifts are the way to go: a Wes Snyder Outer Banks photo calendar, original art from an OBX artist, Swell Ceramics pottery, locally roasted coffee, a Corolla Wild Horse Fund sponsorship, or an Outer Banks Restaurant Association gift certificate. For the biggest surprise, give an Outer Banks vacation rental with a printed gift certificate.
Can I give an Outer Banks vacation as a gift?
Yes. Book any Seaside Vacations rental and we'll mail you a printed holiday gift certificate at no extra charge. Call Guest Services at 800-395-2525 for help, and ask about our interest-free layaway plan.
Can I buy Outer Banks gifts online if I don't live there?
Most of the shops in this guide sell online, including Wes Snyder Photography, Swell Ceramics, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, All-Time Coffee Roasting Co., Outer Banks Olive Oil, Brew Thru, Nags Head Hammocks, Kitty Hawk Kites, and The Outer Banks Candle Company.
Are Outer Banks Restaurant Association gift certificates digital?
No. OBRA gift certificates are printed and mailed via USPS in $25 increments. They expire one year from the date of issue and are only accepted at current member restaurants.
