Struggling with what to get the Tar Heel in your life for the holidays? This handy guide has you covered. From spirit wear to event tickets and annual memberships, there’s a gift at UNC-Chapel Hill for everyone.
Campus gift shops
There are plenty of options on campus for your holiday shopping. For those looking for something quintessential UNC-Chapel Hill, start at the Carolina Inn. This historic hotel’s gift shop offers everything from University apparel to exclusive Carolina-scented candles to children’s books that celebrate the community. One new offering at the Inn is “Goodnight Carolina,” a unique take on Margaret Wise Brown’s classic “Goodnight Moon” that celebrates the University and other Chapel Hill landmarks.
For a more outdoorsy gift, visit the North Carolina Botanical Garden’s Burke and Judy Davis Garden Shop. Local artisans have curated everything from herbal creams to stunning artwork that will appeal to anyone with a love for nature. And of course, pick from a variety of seeds that would make any master gardener jump for joy.
The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s gift shop, Cosmic Goods, offers out-of-this-world merchandise like a star projector or glow-in-the dark planets. There’s no better stocking stuffer than a tasty batch of astronaut ice cream or beautifully crafted brass sundials.
No Carolina gift guide would be complete without Student Stores. There’s plenty of University-licensed apparel for a family member who wants to show their Tar Heel pride.
Online shopping
UNC Press has book lovers covered. Take advantage of their holiday sale – 30 percent off and free shipping on orders over $70 – and their massive selection of fiction and nonfiction.
UNC Libraries offers high-quality art pieces online. Through their partnership with 1000Museums, you can find plenty of art replicas and other items that would make for gorgeous wall décor in any office space or living area. For a limited time, the site is offering a 25% discount on all merchandise.
Event tickets
Take the Tar Heel sports fans in your life to an upcoming game. GoHeels.com has a calendar of all events and links to tickets available for purchase. Carolina staff and employees can also treat friends and family to four free tickets for any Olympic sporting events with their OneCard.
For theatergoers, PlayMakers Repertory Company offers incredible shows all year round. Tickets are now available for plays in 2024, including Every Brilliant Thing, Fat Ham and Murder on the Orient Express.
Carolina Performing Arts also offers a wide variety of ticketed events that would all make great gifts for music and dance lovers. See jazz concerts, hip hop celebrations, interpretive dance pieces, opera and more.
Memberships
Give a gift that keeps on giving the whole year.
Morehead Planetarium offers gift shop and class discounts with their membership plan. Starting at $50 for an individual membership and $120 for a family membership, get 50 percent off tickets to the NC Zoo, early access tickets and more.
The North Carolina Botanical Garden offers multiple membership levels, including virtual only ($30), individual ($50), couple ($75) and a household ($100) level. Other levels offer plant sale discounts, free seeds, and even program discounts, among other perks.
The Ackland Art Museum also offers membership packages that would appeal to any art lover. Individual membership ($60) gets the visitor a 10 percent discount at Cosmic Goods, as well as free or reduced admission to public programs. These perks and more can be carried over into a family membership for only $40 more.
