As of today, there’s only a little over a week before Christmas day, and with more people shopping online this year combined with slower mail delivery, if you haven’t ordered anything online by now, you might be too late to have your presents delivered by Christmas. Rather than rush out to Walmart, consider keeping your dollars local this year, whether it’s buying locally handcrafted art and clothing, purchasing locally made specialty food items, or donating to local non-profits.

At the General Store, we feel so incredibly lucky to be part of a supportive, resilient community, and the success of Saxapahaw businesses in what has been otherwise a turbulent and unpredictable year has everything to do with you, the local consumer, who has supported our local restaurants, our local farmers, our local artists and makers. In the last week before Christmas, if you have any names left on your gift list, we want to help you to finish your shopping with one of a kind gift options.

Saxapahaw General Store

You might normally have to drive to a much bigger city to find the same variety of organic, local and sustainable goods, but you can find a little bit of everything at the General Store, from locally made jellies, jams, honey and sauces to art, jewelry, cooking and baking goods, meat, eggs, dairy, produce, wine, craft beer, General Store merch and so much more. Drop by and make your own gift basket, or grab a reloadable gift card for use at any time. In-store pickup, shipping and local home delivery (Thursday through Sunday) available. Shop online here

Freehand Market

Saxapahaw’s only dedicated gift shop is stocked full this year, with sustainably produced goods, most of which are made in North Carolina, and from women-owned businesses. There’s literally something for everyone here— home goods, travel accessories, health and beauty items, cards, prints, face masks, crystals, incense, candles, fashion accessories, jewelry, and more. In-store pickup and shipping available. Shop online here

The Eddy Pub

The Eddy Pub is well known for its delicious farm to table food, but this year, they’ve expanded out to bottling their own condiments and sauces. You can pick up hot sauce, barbecue sauce, ketchup, pickles, apple butter and pasta sauce, all made with care right here in Saxapahaw. They also have gift certificates available if you want to give the gift of dinner and wine overlooking the Haw River.  Order online here, with in-restaurant pickup available. You can also find many Eddy Pub products at the General Store.

Haw River Farmhouse Ales

When people visit Saxapahaw, one of the main stops has to be Haw River Farmhouse Ales, creators of some of the most unique craft beers in the state. Their ale creativity is boundless, and for any beer lover, a gift from Haw River Farmhouse Ales is going to be a big hit, guaranteed. There really isn’t any brewery in North Carolina like the one we have right here in the village. HRFA beer glasses and gift certificates are also available. In-store pickup is available, and the General Store also has a large selection of Haw River beers, but we don’t have their amazing HRFA merchandise. Order online here

Left Bank Butchery

Since 2014, Left Bank has been one of the premiere whole animal butcheries in North Carolina, using only the best meat from local, pasture-raised farms. Left Bank has been featured in local and national media for their care, quality and commitment to sustainable local agriculture. In-store pickup is available. Order online here

SAFE Food Ministry

Wrapping presents to put under a tree isn’t the only way to share and celebrate this holiday season. Southern Alamance Family Empowerment (SAFE) is an ecumenical food ministry dedicated to ending hunger in Alamance County. If you want to help with their mission, you can contact them here about how to donate money, food or time. Learn more here

Reverence Farms

Just up the road from the General Store is Reverence Farms, a 400+ acre polyculture farm that produces some of the finest premium meats, milk and eggs around. Pick up passionately pastured beef, lamb and pork that’s ethically raised on the land like they’re supposed to, not confined to cages. Pick up premium, locally raised meat for your holiday meals and gifts. On-farm pickup available. Shop online here

More local artists

We’ve set up a page on our own website with many other local artists you can support, and you can also join the Saxapahaw Virtual Market Facebook group to find and connect with many local artists and creators.

We know it’s been a difficult year for all. Our hope is that in our tiny village by the river, we can find a sense of community and stability even if we can’t all sit around the same table right now. By supporting local artists, farmers and food producers, we will help each other through this. Hopefully, by this summer, we’ll see each other again at Saturdays in Saxapahaw, and by next winter, we’ll all be shopping in person at the Saxapahaw Holiday Market at the Haw River Ballroom. Until then, we will have to find new ways to unite.

Happy holidays!