Have a friend celebrating a special quarantined birthday? Or perhaps you just want to send someone a little love from the Lone Star State? Whatever your reason for being in a gift-giving mood, we’ve got a few local gifts suggestions to toss your way.
Read on for the best local gifts for true Austin lovers.
1. Bunkhouse ELC Kimono Robe from the Austin Motel Shop, $180
One of our favorite things (and there are many) about staying at a Bunkhouse Group hotel is wrapping ourselves in this ultra cool and colorful serape-style robe. Bonus: You could also gift a stay at one of the local Bunkhouse hotels – Austin Motel (reopening September 1!), Hotel Magdalena (opening sometime in the Fall), Hotel San José (now open), and Hotel Saint Cecilia (also open)!
2. Cheese Club Membership from Antonelli’s Cheese Shop, $220+
If the person you’re gifting an Antonelli’s Cheese Shop Cheese Club membership to isn’t already your best friend or wife/husband/partner, get ready for them to be. Throw in a sixer of Austin’s own Rambler Sparkling Water and they’ll be putty in your hands.
3. Alright Alright Alright Face Mask from Shop A-Town, $12
Make sure the person you’re gifting this to is prepped for alllll of the Matthew McConaughey impressions.
4. Austin is Willie Weird Ladies Tee from Shop Atown, $32
Willie is always a good idea… and thankfully for us, Shop Atown has a variety of Willie Nelson tees that are sure to collect many “Hey, cool shirt!” compliments.
5. El Arroyo’s Big Book of Signs Volume One from Austin Rocks, $25
The most famous (and most hilarious) sign from one of the best Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin has published a book with their best messages and we all need it.
6. Black Puma’s Vinyl from End of An Ear, $24.99
Give the gift of shimmy-inducing tunes from Austin-based psychedelic soul band, the Black Pumas.
7. Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble on Vinyl from Waterloo Records, $29.98
Speaking of shimmying, more of it can be done to some of the best Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble songs like “Pride & Joy,” “Love Struck Baby,” and “Texas Flood.”
8. Keep Austin Weird Plush Bat from Blue Elephant, $13
Don’t be fooled by the sharp teeth—this Mexican Free-tailed Bat is ready to curl up with its new owner.
9. Greenbelt Bandana from Blue Elephant, $14
Keep your face protected, decorate your home office wall and find all of Austin’s Greenbelt swimming holes with help from this multi-tasking gift.
10. Museum of the Weird Bumper Sticker, $4.99
“Iiiiiiis that a shrunken head?” one might ask when cautiously walking through Austin’s Museum of the Weird located in the back of Lucky Lizard’s Curios & Gifts on Sixth Street. And yes, yes it is.
11. Vintage Boots from Uncommon Objects
Uncommon Objects is another great spot if you’re on the hunt for oddities like taxidermied armadillos, antique everything, gorgeous turquoise jewelry, and vintage boots that fit juuuust right. Stop in to shop (with a mask) every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
12. New Boots from Allen’s Boots
Expensive? Yes, but these bad boys will last you through years of Texas Two-Steppin’. The South Congress shop is currently open for masked shopping Fridays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
13. Keep Austin Weird Onesie from Primadora, $20
Any Austin parent would proudly button their babe up in this classic tie-dyed Keep Austin Weird onesie.
14. Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto from Book People, $29.99
Support your (and Anthony Bourdain’s) favorite BBQ craftsman AND your favorite local book shop by purchasing Aaron Franklin’s glorious meat how-to at Book People. Purchase online or stop by for curbside pickup or masked in-store shopping on Sundays through Tuesdays and Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
15. A Wig, Pikachu Costume, (Fake) Severed Leg, or Roaring 20’s Dress from Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds
Not quite sure how to sell this one more. You read the fake severed leg option, right? You can also pick up AMAZING wigs, jewelry and anything you’d ever want or need for Halloween. You can’t shop online for these finds, but you can stop by for curbside service Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
16. I Want to Go Home with The Armadillo Art Print from Parts & Labour, $20
Good luck ever getting this Gary P. Nunn classic song out of your head once you put it in your online shopping cart. P & L are also open for in-store shopping—just make sure you call before you head over to make sure they’re open!
17. Central Austin Map from Part & Labour, $30
This adorably illustrated map features South Congress, Barton Springs, Mexican Free-tailed Bats, the Armadillo World Headquarters and many other Austin favorites.
18. Queso from Torchy’s Tacos, $3.85+
There’s no question – Austinites love their queso and at any point are down to have a heated debate on which place serves up the best bowl. (Ahem, it’s Torchy’s Tacos by the way.) Order a bowl to-go or get it delivered and they’ll love you forever.
19. Truffle Popcorn from the Driskill Bar, $9
Yes, the classic Texas cowboy interiors, live music, and celebrity sightings are great, but the truffle popcorn is the #1 reason we love the Driskill Bar! Stop in with your masked friend or get it to-go. Call the front desk to get their new modified hours. (Or, if you can get one of the ghosts who lives at the Driskill to deliver it, even better.)
20. I Love You So Much Dog Tag from Primadora, $8
Gift the crazy dog mom in your life (ahem) the gift of letting her babes model tags that represent popular murals in Austin. There’s also a You’re My Butter Half dog tag.
21. Coffee from Jo’s Coffee
Speaking of popular murals in town, snap a pic in front of musician Amy Cooks’s I love You So Much mural and tag your friend in the Instagram while you’re waiting in line to pick them up a bag of Jo’s Coffee. They also have great t-shirts!
22. A Rescue Dog from Austin Pets Alive!
One more bonus idea – and this is a BIG one! We like to joke that when new Austinites walk out of the airport, they’re greeted by locals asking them if they’re from California—and if they aren’t—they welcome them with big arms and hand them a rescue dog from Austin Pets Alive! Joking aside, there are so many sweet pups (and kitties) waiting to complete your pack. A pint (or three) of Nada Moo’s vegan and Gluten- and dairy-free ice cream would also be pretty sweet.
