Happy #828 Day, Asheville. Today, August 28 (8/28), is a day to appreciate everything that makes the 828 area code worth celebrating. (Raise your hand if you rep your 828 phone number with pride?👋) To help you celebrate, we’ve created the perfect gift list of all-things Asheville – perfect for welcoming visitors or for sending to out-of-town friends. Pro-tip: Bookmark this list for the holidays.

From farmers market finds, local wine, one-of-a-kind art + more – We rounded up 28 gift options so you don’t have to scour the web (or spend a whole day browsing stores) the next time you want to put together a local gift.

Let’s begin with a tote from Moonlight Makers because handmade, reusable canvas with a punny saying will make the best gift bag. They also have fun dish towels which you could add inside. ~$12

For the friend who loves something to snack on, a bag of chips from Gourmet Chip Company, variety pack ~$21. Or, grab a bag of Poppy handcrafted popcorn. We recommend the “Asheville mix.”

...and a box of truffles from French Broad Chocolate Lounge. Try the Asheville Beer Collection to add in another layer of local flavor made in partnership with a few local breweries. ~$17

A pile of goodies from the WNC Farmers market just to show your out-of-town guest how much Asheville loves its local farmers.

Since every out-of-towner needs to eat breakfast at Biscuit Head, send them home with a jar of biscuit mix of their very own to “put some south in their mouth.” ~$7.50

What better item to add to those biscuits than local honey from Asheville Bee Charmer? Pick out your favorite flavor for ~$16.

Since we’re on the subject of local edible treats, pick up Sunny Point Cafe’s Bloody Mary Mix, a jar of blueberry jam from Tupelo Honey Cafe, or even house-made BBQ sauce from Buxton Hall Barbecue. ~$6-18

For the guest who wants their taste of Asheville in the form of a beverage, snag a bag of coffee from Dynamite Coffee Roasters or even Counter Culture. ~$14

And of course, to go with those magic beans, grab an AVL mug from Mast General Store or Asheville Emporium.

A bottle of Addison Farms wine would make a nice welcome – and get the trip started in the right direction. ~$12-30

Continuing in the “right direction,” get something to commemorate Asheville’s thriving beer scene like a pint glass from any local brewery – Burial Beer Co., Highland Brewing, or New Belgium just to suggest a few – or a case of cold ones from Hi-Wire Brewing. ~$4-15

A Landmark Project graphic tee from Second Gear which celebrates the surrounding forests, state + national parks. ~$30

For those who want to represent bodies of all different sizes, order a shirt or hoodie from Big Boi Fly. ~$20-36

To keep the fun rolling, a Tourist Baseball hat + a pair of game tickets. ~$12-$33

Pick up a postcard of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a shot of Asheville’s skyline, or an 828 inspired greeting card from Whist in West AVL. ~$2-6

If you are hosting guests around the holiday season (or are guests of someone who loves the holiday season) snag a collectible ornament from Biltmore. ~$20-$30

Check out Kress Emporium, Woolworth Walk or Cleaster Cotton to find a piece of local art + photography that really captures the beauty of the area.

Since everyone loves the culture that street performers bring to downtown, add a CD from a local favorite, Abby the Spoon Lady. ~$12

DYK: The #828 area code maps across 22 counties starting with Catawba County (hey, Hickory👋) all the way up to Cherokee County.

I am proud to live in the “middle 828,” and I take pride in all the artistic character that makes Asheville and its people stand out from surrounding area codes, sorry #336 – but we’ve got you beat when it comes to the busker scene.

We know you guys have a ton of ideas too – comment on the list below and tell us what you’d add to a gift basket for someone new to or visiting Asheville.

Happy 8/28 Ashevillians,

–Audra + Kristie (AVLtoday Intern)