Holiday Shopping Guide
03 Dec 2025
Santa’s elves have got you covered
Plateau Magazine December 2025-January 2026
Written By: Emily Davis | Images: Photos by Bob Scott
You’ve made your list, you’ve checked it twice, and hopefully none of your loved ones have been naughty – they’re all nice. But now it’s time to hit the shops and find something special for everyone … And you’re stumped. What to get for that person who has everything? What about the one who seems difficult to please? And that special someone? Their gift has to be just right. No worries; it’s Plateau Mag to the rescue! We took to the streets to explore a myriad of shops in Highlands and Cashiers and share some of our favorite gift ideas. And if one of these doesn’t seem just right, here’s our favorite advice of all: Our local stores excel at customer service. Everywhere we went, demonstrations and expert advice followed. That’s a level of assistance you just don’t find online or in big box stores. Get out there and explore, and we’re sure you’ll find everything you (or Santa) need for the holidays.
For the kitties and pooches…
Let’s take care of the most important members of the family first, shall we? The owners of Paws on the Mountain in Cashiers might be the friendliest, most dedicated shopkeepers I’ve ever met. Matt and Angel Stanley opened the store after the devastating loss of their own dog opened their eyes to problems within the pet food industry. Ever since, they’ve dedicated themselves to purveying the highest quality pet food and products on the market. Shop at Paws on the Mountain, and you can be certain that your pet is getting the best. And for this holiday season, they’ve loaded down the store with every toy and treat you can imagine, because Fluffy and Fido deserve something under the tree, too.
Paws on the Mountain
36 Cashiers Shopping Center, Cashiers, NC
For the outdoorsy guy or gal…
A stop at Brookings Fly Shop in Cashiers isn’t just a quick trip for outdoor equipment; it's a whole experience. Yes, they have the gear – brands like Patagonia, Simms, Grundens, Orvis, and Shakespeare line the racks – and the staff displays the expertise you would expect. From a new rod and reel to flies that make great stocking stuffers, you won’t come away empty-handed.
But some of the best gifts don’t fit in a box. The team at Brookings will arrange a guided fishing trip right here in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains or ship you off to far-flung locales like Alaska or Argentina. That’s a gift your fisherman (or fisherwoman) will remember for a lifetime.
Drop in on a Saturday afternoon, and you can participate in a free fly-tying class. And if you’ve shopped til you’ve almost dropped, grab a craft brew at the Blue Line Bar and put your feet up. Santa needs to rest a bit before the big day.
Brookings Fly Shop
88 Cashiers Lake Rd, Cashiers
Got an avid adventurer in the family? Highland Hiker has everything you need. With Columbia, Barbour, and Dubarry apparel to keep them warm, or top-quality footwear from brands like Keen and Lowa, your loved one will hit the trails, river, or campground in style. And that’s just a sampling; even more great, famous-name brands are found in-store.
But in the wild, looking great only gets you so far. Highland Hiker has you covered with camping and backpacking gear for even the most rugged explorer. Pick up a local trail map, too; cell service can be a bit primitive in Appalachia!
Standout items included handmade knives, belt buckles, and bottle openers from local artisans; binoculars and monoculars in a variety of stylish colors by Nocs Provisions; and gorgeous Buffalo leather backpacks, laptop bags, and duffle bags by Jack Georges. Highland Hiker even dedicates a section of the store to children’s items, to get your little nature lover suited up and ready to go.
Highland Hiker
601 Main St, Highlands,
547 Main St, Highlands,
47 NC-107, Cashiers, NC
To pamper your princess or prince…
Why don’t you know about one of Cashiers’ hidden secrets? It’s quite literally in the name: The Hair Hideaway and Lash Lounge is tucked away in a quiet spot just off Highway 64 in town. The shop provides pampering to help you look and feel your best, along with products to thrill your senses and make your life a bit more luxurious.
Owner Leeann Kern makes the most of her retail space by filling it with goodies that make an ordinary day feel like a spa day. Brands like Herb & Root, Cottonwood Creek, Untamed Organics, and Ancient Cosmetics deliver luscious scents (and safe ingredients) for home or personal use. The store also carries a line of colognes from Michael Malul, like Citizen Jack and Citizen Jill. Round out your gift bags with haircare products from Color Wow and K18, and the recipient will feel pampered and loved for months to come. Can’t decide? Grab a gift certificate, and they can use it on a set of lashes or the hair treatment of their choice.
The Hair Hideaway and Lash Lounge
48 Chestnut Square, Cashiers
artist-leeann-kern.square.site
Over on Main Street in Highlands, Natural Selection offers up their own indulgences for the most magical time of the year. Lines like romanybotanicals and Lunar Logic provide herbal and flower-powered solutions to everything from insomnia to anxiety. Earth and Water bath salts supply an aromatic experience, and the store is jam-packed with fun decor, jewelry, books, and magical items for that spiritual, nature-loving person you love.
Natural Selection
361 Main St, Highlands, NC
To feed your foodie…
Whether you have a wanna-be chef in the family or just need to pick up some party supplies, you can get everything you need right here in town. Cashiers Kitchen Co. carries an array of fantastic finds to help you host the féte of the year. Brands like Le Creuset, SMEG, and Breville line the shelves, and cast iron cookware from Lodge or Smithey completes your favorite cook’s collection.
Got a grilling or smoking aficionado on your list? A new grill or smoker from brands like Blackstone or Timberline fits the bill. Our personal favorite gift idea: A new Wüsthof knife – or why not a whole set? And of course, the store carries gadgets and tools galore, perfect for stocking stuffers.
Cashiers Kitchen Company
41 Commons Dr, Cashiers, NC
Now that you’ve got your cooking tools and implements, head down the road to La Poste. Owner Kristin Jorgensen has managed to pack the space with just the right mix of culinary delights, carefully curated wines, and a collection of books that feels luxurious. There’s just something about a thoughtfully-selected cookbook, trust us (your Plateau Mag editor savors them like they’re romance novels).
La Poste is a great place to stop when you’re ho-ho-hosting an impromptu party. Tinned fish, artisan cheeses, crackers, and caviar elevate casual gatherings. For those who wish to experiment with Middle Eastern cuisine, you can find a range of spices and tahini to whip up something exotic. And our favorite find of all: Duck confit. You can’t find it anywhere else in Cashiers.
La Poste
572 NC-107, Cashiers
To deck out your lodge…
A mountain home demands mountain decor – the more rustic, the better. For the nature lover who wants to bring the outdoors in, Cashiers Trading Post offers a plethora of exciting and unique items that you just won’t find anywhere else in town. Owner Donna Kinsey specializes in taxidermy, and her creations essentially turn the store into a museum. Along with these fascinating specimens of fauna, the Trading Post carries apparel, jewelry, and even local trout, honey, and eggs. It’s the perfect spot to find a gift for the creative, earthy person on your list.
Cashiers Trading Post
16 Chestnut Square, Cashiers
Speaking of earthy, Highlands offers up its own hotspot for naturalists. Got a geology enthusiast in your life? At Silver Eagle Gallery, you can grab loose crystals for their personal collection or enormous slabs of amethyst that double as works of art. The shop’s impressive display of Native American jewelry and crafts harkens back to the area’s history. And if someone on your list has a favorite gemstone, you’re in luck. Silver Eagle will probably have something just right for them. Take your time to browse; there’s so much to see in here.
Silver Eagle Gallery
349 Main St, Highlands
For the person who has everything…
When you’re shopping for that person who seems to have it all, you’ve got to go with thoughtful, unique, and personal. Head over to Highlands Mercantile, a fun shop with a little bit of everything.
Stepping inside, you’ll notice an array of thoughtfully selected books. The Mercantile manages to pack plenty of great titles into a small space, and a coffee-table book on art or natural history makes a terrific choice. And for your fashion lover, the boxed sets of Little Guides to Style will thrill with their historical reviews of famous fashion houses like Chanel, Balenciaga, and Dior. To the right, the children’s department is sure to have something for the tiny tot on your list.
Upstairs, you’ll discover great gift ideas in every corner of the store: The Oh My Mahjong line for fans of the timeless game; cosmetics and skincare by Jane Iredell, Westman Atelier, and Obagi; Wanderfull bags; folding knives by Deejo; weighted blankets and sleep masks by Nodpod; a full range of bar glasses and cocktail supplies; luxurious soaps by A’Marie’s; and Modgy origami lanterns - fold them up, stash them in a drawer, and pull them out when you need a festive touch to your decor.
If you’re looking for something one-of-a-kind, check out the collection of cowhide rugs and other rustic decor items toward the back of the store. What to get for that manly man on your list? A new hat that makes him feel like Indiana Jones, or for a humorous gift, try the store’s display of silly socks. If you can’t find it here, maybe it doesn’t exist.
Highlands Mercantile
322 Main St, Highlands
