Looking for a Valentine’s Day gift but want to avoid the mad dash to the drugstore, or the overpriced flowers? Here are some ideas for Valentine gifts with a local twist. Celebrate your Valentine, while also celebrating the Queen City.
Local Chocolate
If you’re going to buy chocolates as a gift, don’t buy the waxy mass-produced stuff. There are some wonderful chocolatiers in the Charlotte area. Learn about Charlotte chocolate makers!
Gifts for Geeks
If you’re shopping for someone who’s a fan of Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Star Wars, or…anything, head to Muggles Market on Sunday, February 5th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Queens Sports Complex, 2229 Tyvola Road, Charlotte. Shop from over 50 artisans for create geeky creations!
Carowinds
Carowinds is open all year now. During winter hours it’s open mainly just on the weekends. Buy discounted Carowinds tickets for just $25, including all fees and taxes. This is a significant savings. The discount is available for a limited time.
Local Cats
Book a visit to a cat café. You can just enjoy a coffee and socializing with the cats. Or maybe you’ll have a love connection and adopt one. Learn about 5 cat cafes in Charlotte.
Sports
Charlotte FC’s second season starts soon. Single match tickets are on sale now, starting at just $15!
Individual game ticket are also available for the Charlotte Checkers.
And there are tickets to the Charlotte Hornets for as low as $16.50.
Another idea for sports fans is merchandise from our local teams. Shop from these team stores:
Delivery from Homer the Dragon
Homer the Dragon, the beloved mascot of the Charlotte Knights, is once again personally delivering Valentine’s packages to addresses within 25 miles of Truist Field. For $70, he’ll deliver a flower bouquet, Charlotte Knights hat or stuffed animal, a large heart-shape candy box, and an a personalized, autographed Valentine’s Day card. For $125, he’ll deliver all of the above, plus vouchers for two Knights games. See all details about Homer the Dragon’s Valentine’s Day Delivery.
Local Alpacas
You don’t have to drive far to commune with alpacas, so if your loved one loves alpacas, book a visit to Cedarbrook Alpaca Farm, at 7408 Cedarbrook Drive, Charlotte, which is in East Charlotte. You can book a farm visit, or even an alpaca paint ‘n’ sip. And the farm is home to more than just alpacas. You can also spend time with an emu, goats, pigs and chickens. Goat yoga is available too!
Entertainment
Maybe the best gift is looking forward to more time to spend together. And what better way than going to a show together. Check out the websites of these local venues and buy tickets for an upcoming show!
- The Evening Muse
- Neighborhood Theatre
- Visulite Theatre
- Petra’s
- Blumenthal Performing Arts
- The BOplex
- PNC Music Pavilion
- AvidXchange Music Factory
If you’re looking into a concert at one of the North Carolina Music Factory venues, or PNC Music Pavilion, make sure to check Groupon first for discounts!
Local Art
Share your love of the Queen City with the person you love, through art. You can find the work of Charlotte artists at Pura Vida Worldly Art, Charlotte Art League (tour the working studios and get in touch with the artists to purchase work), Brooklyn Collective, VAPA Center and more. In fact, here’s a big list of Charlotte art galleries, museums and events.
Shop at Museums
Museum stores are the best! They often stock items you can’t find anywhere else. Some museum stores in Charlotte (not all of them offer online shopping):
Local Drinks
Charlotte is home to several distilleries. Share some local spirits! Tours are sometimes available at some of the distilleries as well.
- Seven Jars Distillery, 6148 Brookshire Blvd, Charlotte (rum, vodka, and whiskey)
- Great Wagon Road Distilling Company, 610 Anderson Street, Charlotte(whiskey)
- Muddy River Distillery, 1500 River Street, Belmont (rum)
If your Valentine’s tastes run more along the lines of beer, don’t worry. There are too many breweries to list, and many gift opportunities!
Charlotte Swag
Keep it really local with CLT Find, who curates products from Charlotte’s best makers. Often the products have a Charlotte theme. You can shop online, or find them at Market at 7th Street, 224 E. 7th Street, or Cotswold Marketplace, 200 N. Sharon Amity Road.
More places to shop for Charlotte-themed items are Glory Days Apparel and the 704 Shop.
Local Hot Sauce
If your loved one likes it hot, the perfect gift is Sabancaya hot sauce, from Delgados Fuego. It’s a secret recipe from Peru, made right here in Charlotte. Normally you can find Delgados Fuego at farmers’ markets, but you can order online too. They will deliver to your doorstep.
Lavender Products
It’s not lavender season, but Dallas Lavender Lane’s store is well stocked with lavender scented soap, lip balm, sachets, bath bombs and more. Shop here.
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