Last-Minute Texas Gift Guide

By theadmin

As the holiday season kicks into high gear, the final stretch can feel like a whirlwind of to-do lists, last-minute shopping, and endless gift-wrapping marathons. Take heart: There’s still time to make the season memorable. This roundup of Texas-made treasures, boutique shops, and clever wrapping ideas will help you delight loved ones come Christmas Day and — most importantly — celebrate your mutual love of our great state.

Last-Minute Ideas for the Real (and Honorary) Texans in Your Life

A few Texas-made presents that are (almost) as sweet as Granny’s pecan pie.

33 Tacos Tasting Notebook by Letterpress Play, $5
Austin’s Letterpress Play pocket-size tacos tasting notebook — made with 100% recycled paper that’s infused with fresh lime juice — features a flavor wheel and star-rating system to document every bite of one’s taco-tasting journey. Pair it with a gift card to a local taco joint, and consider the stocking stuffed.

State Fair of Texas Collapsible Tote Bag, $16
A trendy and practical pick for on-the-go Texans, this brightly colored tote bag folds into a compact pouch, so it can easily be stored until needed. But the real selling point is the bold image of Big Tex and his iconic “howdy folks!” greeting that emanates big Texas energy.

Odin Leather Goods Hair-On Hide Coaster Set, $35
Odin Clack’s cult-favorite leather business makes small-batch, handmade gifts of exceptional quality. These Texas-shaped coasters add texture and a touch of rustic elegance to any home, and a set makes for a great thank-you gift for holiday party hosts. (Good guests use coasters. Great guests bring them.)

James Avery Texas-Brand Charms, $38+
Like a fresh batch of Whataburger fries, James Avery’s Texas-brand charms are always a hot commodity. Deck out your loved one’s charm bracelet with the iconic Whataburger cup, fry, and Fancy Ketchup charms. Add a Blue Bell ice cream tub, a Dr Pepper can, or even a “Don’t Mess With Texas” oil drum for a collection that’s as Texas as it gets.

Truth BBQ Pickle Trinity, $40
Have a backyard pitmaster on your list? Skip the hot sauce, tongs, and kitschy aprons (they have plenty already) and go with Truth BBQ’s popular pickle gift box. Truth BBQ makes pink pickled onions, classic dill pickles, and traditional escabeche mix in-house — and you can taste pitmaster Leonard Botello IV’s perfectionism in every bite.

Millican Pecan’s Seventh Heaven Pecan Gift Tin, $48
This family business has been shelling out Texas pecans to the masses since 1888. Butter up the sweet tooth in your life with a seasonal showstopper: a 2-pound tin of seven varieties of decadently flavored pecans, including chocolate amaretto, honey-roasted, chocolate toffee, and candied praline.

Jackson Vaughn Texas Heritage Candle Stockpile, $118–$158
Jackson Vaughn candles bring a little Texas into any home with aromas that capture the spirit of the Lone Star State. This bundle boasts five scents, including Rodeo (leather, straw, spice, and patchouli); Fair Day (caramel, vanilla, and hay); and Backroads (woods, moss, and peppercorn). These candles make a great gift for homebodies who love a nostalgic and cozy atmosphere.

Fredericksburg Cast Iron Co. No. 10 Cast Iron Skillet, $175
Give the gift of true Southern cooking with a hand-forged, cast-iron skillet made to last a lifetime. Seasoned with avocado oil, this skillet is ready to whip up everything from seared steaks to golden-brown cornbread. Any skillet by Fredericksburg Cast Iron Co. will become a kitchen staple for generations to come.

Boutiques With Unique Finds

Need a gift for a hard-to-shop-for friend? Discover treasures inside these special shops across the state.

Cactus Books Shop, San Angelo
Find a beloved new read for the Texas history buff in your life. Cactus is filled floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall with new, used, and rare books covering Texana and Western America. Browse nonfiction books on the early frontier days and out-of-print Westerns by Elmer Kelton.
4 E. Concho Ave., San Angelo, TX, 76903

Golden Mean, Austin
It’s a gift shop, art gallery, and vintage boutique all in one. Is there anything this Austin gem doesn’t do? Scope out Golden Mean’s collection of curiosities, whether you’re seeking a mohair throw blanket, vintage tortilla press, or original artwork by Texas artists.
2210 S. First St., Ste. G, Austin, TX, 78704

Junk Gypsy, Round Top And Wimberley
Give the country girl in your life the fuchsia cowboy boots, Dolly Parton quote wall tapestry, or “Mama Tried” belt buckle her glam inner soul desires. (Can’t make the drive to Central Texas? Look for Junk Gypsy retail at Buc-ee’s.)
1215 Texas 237, Round Top, TX, 78954; 13701 Ranch Road 12, Wimberley, TX, 78676

La Casa Frida, San Antonio
Say “Feliz Navidad!” with a one-of-a-kind, handmade gift that celebrates Mexican culture. La Casa Frida offers an array of gifts made with stunning craftsmanship. Browse the gorgeous embroidered folk collars, hand-painted earrings, leather handbags, and Frida Kahlo and Selena dolls, all created with pride.
875 E. Ashby Place, San Antonio, TX, 78212

Read Between The Lines, Plano
Peruse clever cards, rousing games, captivating coffee-table books, and more at this Legacy West locale. Check out the Texas-themed gifts, such as cowboy cat magnets, state letterpress prints, and “El Arroyo’s Big Book of Signs: Volume Seven.”
7500 Windrose Ave., Ste. B160, Plano, TX, 75024

Wrare, Fort Worth
This vintage-industrial Clearfork shop is brimming with smart Texas swag, from books to prints and pillows. Consider gifting the Texas alphabet coloring book to the junior cowboys and cowgirls you love or “Y’all: The Definitive Guide to Being Texan” to your new neighbors from California.
5266 Marathon Ave., Fort Worth, TX, 76109

Creative Alternatives to Wrapping Paper

Give your present a personal touch that stands out from store-bought gift wrap.

Gift Wrap Alternatives

Repurpose household items for sustainable wrapping:

Wrap the gift in fabric or a scarf.
Papier-mâché a hatbox.
Use tins or Mason jars and tie a ribbon at the top.
Make reusable wooden name tags.

DIY Gift Wrap Ideas Using Blank Craft Paper

Invest in wrapping that doubles as a boredom-busting activity for kids with cabin fever:

Stamp patterns with cookie cutters dipped in paint.
Glue on pompom polka dots.
Make stripes or snowflakes with decorative tape.
Wrap gifts in craft paper, then different colors of yarn.

The best part? Homemade or personalized gift wrapping reminds your recipients how much you care.

Germs. They’re never invited to holiday gatherings, yet they show up anyway. (Rude!) Use the tips in our winter wellness guide to help prevent an illness-related derailment of your holiday plans.