Let's face it, sometimes holiday shopping can be a beast. Crowded malls and tight budgets will often drive a person to madness. Even if you've been smart enough to head out early in the shopping season—and if you're reading this, then chances are you haven't—there's always the difficulty of picking just the right present for those very important people on your list. The trick to a more effective holiday shopping experience is preparedness: it turns out that you'll have a much better time Christmas shopping in Austin by carefully considering the type of people on your list before you head out.
With that in mind, here are just a few of the people you might find on your shopping list this year, along with some helpful suggestions about how you can make them happy. Since big box stores and major online retailers are a no-brainer, we've kept this guide thoughtfully focused on local Austin shops and products.
Foodies
If you've got a gourmet in the family, consider adding a little spice to their life with a visit to Tears of Joy Sauces in Downtown Austin, where you can pick up a few gut-busting concoctions from their variety of hot and barbecue sauces. Or, for lovers of local foods, why not consider a gift box from Batch? Batch is an online Austin gift shop that specializes in bringing artisanal goods right to your doorstep. Consider showing some state pride with their amazing "Don't Mess With Texas" box, for instance, a wooden crate which includes goodies like a Newton Supply Co. Texas Mug, Progress Coffee, Mikey V's Beef Jerky, and Bloody Revolution Bloody Mary Mix!
Bookworms
They say that a good book can change your life, or just fill that empty space on your coffee table. Incidentally, books also make great gifts. Most Austinites know that BookPeople, the largest independent bookstore in Texas, is a great place to find an old favorite or discover something new. You may also want to check out Malvern Books, just north of the U of T campus, which has a well-curated collection dedicated to lesser-known and emerging voices in independent publishing. Finally, the rare book collector in your family will love a beautiful first edition from South Congress Books on the SoCo shopping strip. Whatever literary tastes you're trying to satisfy, though, consider buying local products from one of these cool shops in Austin.
Art Lovers
During the holiday season, the best shopping in Austin definitely isn't at the mall. It happens at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar at the Palmer Event Center. This annual tradition makes holiday shopping fun by pairing upscale arts and crafts—the work of over 160 carefully curated artists—with terrific live performances from featured musicians, including local legends and emerging artists. Along with music and a selection of drinks, you'll find handcrafted leather goods, paintings and sculptures, home furnishings, clothing, jewelry, and more under one roof. The Bazaar runs until Christmas Eve, too, so it's a great place to load up on last minute stocking stuffers for the pickier people on your Christmas list.
Cowpokes
Do you have an aspiring cowboy or cowgirl on your hands? Heritage Boot Co. in Travis Heights sells positively gorgeous vintage Western boots at a variety of price points. Born-and-bred Texans will love them, but they make great souvenirs for out-of-towners too. Along with a pair of dust kickers, you might consider picking up tickets to Rodeo Austin, which runs March 11-25 in 2017, and features Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) events as well as amazing music performances, a stock show, and a family-friendly carnival full of opportunities for fun and education. Of course, tickets don't actually go on sale until January 13th, but you can always tuck an IOU into one of those boots.
New Homeowners
After acquiring their very own piece of Austin real estate, new homeowners are often faced with the not inconsiderable task of furnishing it. If this describes someone you know, they might appreciate a carefully selected piece of furniture a whole lot more than a fruitcake. For smaller spaces like condominiums, the locally owned Five Elements in South Austin is a great place to pick up contemporary and retro furnishings that fit any taste. And Four Hands Home Outlet near North Cross Mall offers a great selection of discounted pieces, especially if you're looking for a bit of a steal or something that your giftee won't see for sale anywhere else in Austin.
Our expert advice can help make finding Austin homes for sale as painless as a little Christmas shopping. Contact JB Goodwin REALTORS® today.
Posted by Mary Ann Castro on
Leave A Comment