With a name like The Christmas Shop, holly jolly and ho ho ho is a given. But at Manteo’s 25,000-square-foot shopping extravaganza (seriously, you need a map!) there’s also so much more, including local wine with daily tastings, food that’s perfect for entertaining and some of the best vacation souvenirs on the beach.
WINE
One of the newest and coolest features of The Christmas Shop is the North Carolina wine they carry in their general store. Featuring bottles from Biltmore Winery, Duplin Winery, Sanctuary Vineyards and more, their knowledgeable staff can help with any wine-related questions. Tastings happen every day from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m., a fact to keep in mind if families come in with one person who loves to shop and one who would prefer to sit and sip.
FOOD
The Christmas Shop’s general store carries local and North Carolina food offerings as well. Of note is Carolina Coffee, with loads of flavor options, and Charis Coffee, situated in downtown Manteo (talk about local!). They also carry a lot of new food products that are perfect for entertaining at the beach, like Oscar’s cheese dip and Captain Rodney’s dips, along with jams, sauces, glazes and chips.
MEMORABILIA
There’s no better way to commemorate a 2024 Outer Banks vacation than with a Christmas ornament that calls to mind the beach every time it’s pulled out and placed on the tree. The Christmas Shop has so many ornament options to choose from, including lighthouses, sea life, seashells and sand dollars as well as ornaments relating to hobbies, travel, sports and more. All ornaments can be personalized at no charge. There’s also a large selection of toys, house decor and beach souvenirs.
CHRISTMAS
Of course, you can count on The Christmas Shop having the most magical Christmas displays you’ve ever seen, with decorations, cards, collectibles, lights, trees and wreaths all lit up and sparkling all year round. Christmas themes abound, such as coastal, traditional, the Grinch, winter blues and vintage, so there’s inspiration for every style. Stepping out of the beachy heat and humidity and into the crisp magic of the holidays is an experience like no other, one that’s perfect to commemorate with a personalized ornament as a souvenir. Come in, grab a map, have a sip of North Carolina wine and shop for beach snacks. Or send the kids down to grab a little candy and look at the toys while you browse the boundless holiday themes. At The Christmas Shop there truly is something for everyone.
The Christmas Shop and General Store
(252) 473-2838
621 U.S. Highway 64, Manteo
outerbankschristmas.com
About the Author Heather Frese
Heather Frese fell in love with the Outer Banks when she was three years old. She grew up camping every summer on Hatteras Island, and her writing is deeply influenced by the history and wild beauty of the area. Her debut novel, The Baddest Girl on the Planet, won the Lee Smith Novel Prize and is set on Hatteras Island. 
