Austin: Go Local for Gifts This Holiday Season

Gift giving is a tradition that spans cultures and belief systems, centering on friendship, thoughtfulness, love, and sharing. While some wish lists may require a trip to a super electronics store for a new gadget, thoughtful gifts can come directly from fellow Austinites. Austin’s artisan and local business community is a thriving, inventive part of the city, with a wide variety of products that make ideal gifts. Shopping local supports Austin craftsmen and business owners who are our neighbors and friends. Below is a small list of some of the wonderful options for shopping local this holiday season:

Fireside Games

Fireside Games creates board games that everyone can enjoy. Popular games include Castle Panic, a cooperative game in which all the players work together to defend a castle from attacking monsters; Bears!, an easy to learn, fun, and fast game that fits in a stocking perfectly; and Bloodsuckers, a game that pits players against each other as either vampires or vampire hunters fighting to take over a small town.

Holiday Spa Treatments

The Four Seasons Spa, Away Spa at the W Hotel, milk + honey, and the Barton Creek Spa are just four local Austin spas that offer sumptuous holiday treatments, including Wassail pedicures, Pumpkin pie manicures, and Fig shea butter massages for anyone who likes a little decadence paired with their relaxation.

Scott Sutton Children’s Books & Art Prints

Scott Sutton is the Austin author and illustrator, best known for his imaginative children’s books, The Family of Ree and The Adventures of Dinosaur Dog. Each book is filled with beautiful illustrations that can also be purchased as prints to be hung in nurseries or children’s rooms.

Nulo: Where Nutrition Meets Love

Furry friends can be just as important as bipedal ones, and Nulo pet food is dishing up healthy treats and meals for pets that come in gift-ready white bag decorated by a single heart.

IceTee

A Longhorn spirited shirt that keeps fans cool in any activity, thanks to five strategically placed, gel-cooled ice packs. This is a gift welcomed by UT fans, active Austinites, or both.

stripedshirt

Team spirit and fashion go together like color coordinated stripes.  Austin clothier stripedshirt produces high quality, classic striped shirts to match a growing number of local teams.

CHOCbites

Monogrammed M&M’s are so last year. Thanks to CHOCbites, you can custom order your own chocolate bars by selecting flavors and toppings, then have them delivered to your front door.

Be sure to check out Austin realtor Brian Talley’s Go Local blog for more excellent gift ideas. If a new home is your number one wish this year, he can also help check Santa’s MLS listings for your Austin home search.