The season for gift buying is upon us, which offers an exciting opportunity to spoil friends and family with uniquely Austin presents. If you’re hoping to find memorable gifts for loved ones, and want to keep your shopping dollars local, this is the holiday gift guide for you! We are so excited to share some of our favorite Austin businesses, along with hand-picked homegrown experiences and locally made products. To help you save during what can be an expensive month, we’ve also included special discounts just for you!
We hope you find a gift or two that piques your interest. For more information on any product, please follow the links included in the guide. There are no affiliate links and no business paid to be included in this guide. We simply wanted to share the local love this holiday season. Happy shopping!
Gifts for the art lover in your life
The Contemporary Austin presents contemporary art through a vibrant and engaging schedule of changing exhibitions, long-term and permanent installations, and educational programs for children, teens, and adults at its two distinct but complementary sites: the Jones Center in downtown Austin, and Laguna Gloria, a fourteen-acre site on Lake Austin, which is home to the Driscoll Villa, the Art School, the Gatehouse Gallery, and the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria.
The Contemporary Austin makes it easy to share the JOY, DELIGHT, and INSPIRATION of art this season.
Gift Memberships and Art School Gift Cards are meaningful ways to get in the spirit!
- DELIGHT your friends and family with a Gift Membership to The Contemporary Austin, a thoughtful way to share a year’s worth of art experiences, including exhibitions, talks, films, performances, parties, and more.
- INSPIRE your loved ones with a Gift Card for art classes at The Contemporary Austin – Art School. With classes from painting, drawing, and ceramics to welding, woodworking, and printmaking, an Art School Gift Card is a unique way to share creativity and inspiration. Classes available for ages 4 and up, beginners and beyond.
Free Gift: Purchase a gift membership before December 15 and it will be shipped with a special-edition Contemporary Austin Art Notebook and Pencil!
Plus: For a limited time, museum members receive 10% off the purchase of gift memberships at the Dual Level and above. Treat yourself to a membership and save!
Call 512-458-8191 or visit thecontemporaryaustin.org/GiveArt.
The Contemporary Austin
700 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
3809 West 35th Street, Austin, TX 78703
A supercalifragilisticexpialidocious experience for the whole family
Everyone’s favorite, practically perfect nanny, Mary Poppins, soars into the Topfer Theatre as ZACH’s 2016 summer musical. Buy tickets now for stocking stuffers, or give the gift of theatre at ZACH with certificates, available in any amount.
Discount:
It’s a jolly holiday with Mary! Buy a family 4-pack today for Mary Poppins* and save up to 25% off full price tickets. Use the promo code JOLLY when booking. *Valid for select performances. Expires December 31, 2015.
ZACH Theatre
202 South Lamar
Austin, TX 78704
The gift of time for parents; the gift of play for kids
Ashley’s Playhouse is a drop-in childcare center for children ages 6 weeks-12 years old. Their loving staff, magical facility and convenient hours make it a place kids love and parents can trust! Ashley’s Playhouse is open the entire holiday season, except for Christmas Day, making it perfect for school closures, holiday parties, or last minute shopping. Give yourself the gift of time this holiday season!
Discount:
As a special offer to Free Fun In Austin readers, Ashley’s Playhouse is offering 50% off registration to new families and one free play per child to all FFIA families (must bring in this offer, limit one per family).
Ashley’s Playhouse
13343 N Hwy 183, Suite #200
Austin, TX 78750
(512) 872-2755
Cuddly clothing for the littles on your list
WynnRuby.com is the perfect place to find holiday outfits and gifts for that little one on your list. The styles and items you will find here are of the highest quality – fun, unique additions to your little ones’ wardrobe that are as functional and practical as you need them to be, whether it’s for sleeping, play or a special occasion. Featuring brands like Hello Sunday, tinycottons, Gardner & the Gang, Babysprouts, and more. Make plans to stop by Revival Texas on December 5 for WynnRuby’s holiday pop-up shop!
For the holiday season, WynnRuby.com has Hello Sunday’s Limited Edition holiday pajamas (pictured above). Hello Sunday’s baby and toddler pajamas are made from the softest 100% organic cotton and made right here in Austin, TX.
Discount:
Free Fun In Austin readers can receive 10% off their WynnRuby.com orders with the code MERRYATX through December 5, 2015.
Shop in person:
- Revival Texas – December 5, 2015
Austin’s top chefs have you deliciously covered this holiday
The Coterie Sampler is a monthly delivery of Austin-Made products, hand selected by the founder, Chelsea Sun. The Coterie Sampler mission is to delight and surprise you with the delicious, beautiful, and functional products made right here in our fine city. The Standard Sampler delivers 4-6 products ($39.95) and The Mark Sampler delivers 6-8 products ($59.95). Each box offers a diverse assortment of products including ready-to-eat foods, pantry staples, wellness and body products, kitchen & home goods, an exclusive Chef Feature (actual chef-made products), and a monthly nonprofit spotlight. With useful sizes, a great mix of items, and exclusive treats, The Coterie Sampler is THE way to experience what’s best and new in Austin.
Gift the Coterie Sampler for 1, 3, or 6 months! Just choose the “Gift a Gift” path.
Discount:
Free Fun in Austin readers get 5% off + Free Shipping on your first month of subscription with the code WELUVFREEFUN, through December 31, 2015.
Shop in person:
- Kettle & Brine – November 28 – December 4, 2015
- West Elm Austin – December 5, 2015
Proudly proclaim your love of Austin
From taco bat tees to Austin adventure guidebooks, the Free Fun in Austin Shop has got you covered! Give the gift of ATX love with locally-made super-soft apparel for kids and adults alike!
Discount:
Use the promo code LOCAL when checking out, to get FREE SHIPPING to anywhere in Texas!
A present worth singing about
TuneBugz! offers Music Together–the very best in early childhood music and movement classes for infants, babies, toddlers, preschoolers and the grown-ups who love them–at 2 convenient locations: South Austin and Upper East Side. Classes are offered year round, with weekday, weekend and evening class options to fit almost any nap schedule!
If you know a child who is clearly moved by music, a gift certificate to TuneBugz! makes a perfect gift. Whether you are buying for your own child, a niece or nephew, grandchild, or friend’s child, a TuneBugz! experience has the potential to be that special gift of a lifetime! With a TuneBugz! gift certificate, not only will you be giving a gift of a cherished childhood memory, you are also giving a gift that could benefit a child their whole life long. This season, give the gift of time well spent with loved ones, joyfully making music together.
To purchase holiday gift certificates in any amount, contact Amber at [email protected]. She’ll work with you to customize the perfect gift certificate for the special child in your life.
Discount:
Get 10% off using the code FFIA15 if you purchase before December 31, 2015.
TuneBugz!
South Austin at Balance Dance (4544 S Lamar Blvd)
Central/East/Upper East Side (near Mueller at 5811 Berkman Dr.)
Share the excitement of 250+ Austin events
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the locally made Austin Events 2016 wall calendar shows when over 250 Austin festivals, events and activities happen, complete with descriptions, dates and website addresses.
The great thing about this gift is that you can give it to just about anyone – friends, family or co-workers – and they will find it useful and interesting. You can even give it to out-of-town friends, so they can plan their trips to Austin.
New Austinites will find the many activities listed particularly helpful in getting acquainted with the city. Current Austinites will find new things as well. Festivals are dated on the calendar and include runs, walks, rides, art festivals, ethnic festivals, film festivals, holiday events, weird stuff and all the usual suspects: SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Eeyore’s Birthday Party, Carnaval, Zilker Kite Festival, Austin Celtic Festival, Austin Marathon and Half Marathon, Keep Austin Weird Fest & 5K, Bat Fest, Cap 2K Swim, Capitol 10K, The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival, Zilker Garden Festival, Free Day of Yoga, Fun Fun Fun Fest, East Austin Studio Tour, HAAM Benefit Day, Taste of Austin, etc. The calendar also lists daylight saving time changes, major voting days, and Texas’ tax-free weekend. 5% of the profits from the calendar will be donated. 100% Made in Texas.
The calendar is for sale online and in many retailers across town including HEB, Central Market and Whole Foods. For a full list and map, see the calendar’s website.
Celebrate the inches as your family grows
White Loft growth chart rulers are a sentimental gift that may well become a family heirloom. These growth chart rulers are a tangible way to watch littles one grow, on a classic and portable piece of home decor. Locally crafted in Austin by Lauren White, each piece is handmade and one-of-a-kind.
Discount:
For the holiday season, Free Fun In Austin readers can receive 10% off their orders with the code MERRYATX in the Etsy shop through December 5, 2015. Or, stop by one of Lauren’s holiday shows and mention the FFIA Gift Guide to receive 10% off in person!
Shop in person:
- Revival Texas – December 5, 2015
- Cherrywood Art Fair – December 12 – 13, 2015
