Having trouble narrowing down your holiday shopping list this year? Ditch the mall crowds, the stress of picking out the perfect item off the shelves and the mess of wrapping paper, and give the gift of adventure and the great outdoors by booking a visit to Jackson County, NC. – from stunning winter scenes with glistening white snow to hot chocolate by the fireplace in your very own cabin, Jackson County is the perfect getaway for the adventurers on your list.

A number of studies show that enjoying an experience makes people happier than receiving a physical object. Happiness from material purchases diminishes over time, and experiences become an ingrained part of our identity and a memory that can be carried for a lifetime. Check out our Jackson County gift recommendations below, and you can be the ultimate gift giver this season.

Give the Gift of Experience

Have a thrill-seeker on your list? Hit the slopes at Sapphire Valley Resort with skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Sapphire Valley offers full-service amenities to make planning a day of adventure even simpler. Take a lesson from one of the resort’s professional instructors, and then try your skills on the 1,600-foot main run with a vertical 200-foot drop. Go tubing on Frozen Falls Tube Park, where tubers can race down the 500-foot run featuring a 60-foot vertical drop.

Give the Gift of Outdoor Memories

Throw on your coats and get your blood pumping with a hike to one of Jackson County’s waterfalls. Experience the spectacular views that can only be seen during the most wonderful time of year. Watch the waterfalls sparkle with icicles and look out onto the unobstructed beauty of the county in the wintertime. One of the most picturesque stops is Whitewater Falls, among the highest waterfalls east of the Rockies standing at nearly 400 feet tall. Visit our website and choose from more than two dozen waterfalls in the area, and you’ll be able to capture a holiday photo to remember.

Give the Gift of Local Treasures

While enjoying a getaway in Jackson County, shop one-of-a-kind treasures from the area’s local artisans. Jackson County’s mountain shops offer the best and most thoughtful gifts for the holiday season, including handmade pottery, homemade sweet treats and much more. Make sure to stop into Nancy Tut’s Christmas Shop in Dillsboro, making memories since 1969, to find everything you need for gifts, home décor and everything else to make the season special.

Give the Gift of a Winter Getaway

After a day of laughter, exploration, and family fun, spend the night with friends and loved ones in one of Jackson County’s cozy cabins. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and lounge next to a roaring fire or prepare a festive meal in a full cabin kitchen. Cabin rentals offer room for the whole family to enjoy quality time together. Save money by taking advantage of the lower winter prices of hotels, inns, cottages and other lodging options available throughout the county, offering something for every group and getaway.

Make the holidays unforgettable this year by giving the gift of the mountains in Western North Carolina. From one-of-a-kind experiences to unique goods that can only be found in our local shops, Jackson County is a winter wonderland waiting to be discovered. Visit www.DiscoverJacksonNC.com to plan your winter getaway and make the season bright for the special someones in your life.