Here’s a quick list of a few stocking stuffers from local businesses, for those on your list who may be hard to buy for, or who already have everything.
- Chocoholics will be wowed by the handcrafted treats by Nicole Patel, of Delysia Chocolatier. You can shop online, visit their Culinary Center by appointment, or make a purchase during Sunday’s annual Holiday Celebration (RSVP required). As a self-professed chocolate junkie, I avow that the truffles made by Nicole are the best I’ve ever tasted. From her more mainstream flavors to the exotic (ghost pepper bark, cricket truffles) and whimsical (egg nog bark, PB&J truffles), you cannot go wrong with these sweet delicacies.
- Have a breastfeeding mom on your list? My very favorite post-pregnancy gift was Upspring Baby’s Milkscreen, a super simple test that detects alcohol in breast milk. After nine months of abstaining, and life with a newborn there were definitely times I wanted (read: needed) a glass of wine. I didn’t have to worry about exposing my baby to alcohol when I used Milkscreen to test my milk. My friends and I referred to it as the “Boobalyzer,” and it remains an essential baby shower gift in our set. We can all say we were using Milkscreen way before a Kardashian made it famous. Upspring Baby is helmed by three fabulous Austin women, who are reinventing the way moms handle small but vital parts of motherhood. Buy online or in store at Walgreens and Target.
- Support that one friend who always goes overboard on holiday decor by picking up a few handpainted tin ornaments at Tesoros Trading Company. The delightful, vivid colors are made in Mexico, the land of those who do not shy away from shocking pink and turquoise blue. I like to use these ornaments as part of my gift wrapping, by tying them on as a gift tag of sorts. Visit the store, or shop online. Owner Jonathan Williams is most certainly fulfilling his mission to promote indigenous arts from Latin America.
- For the host or hostess who always boasts a well-stocked bar, pick up a bottle of Barbecue Wife Bloody Mary mix. This full flavored mix is made in Austin in small batches with fresh, all natural ingredients. You can shop online as well as find Barbecue Wife at Twin Liquors (check for availability), Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew, Royal Blue Grocery and a few more spots. Barbecue Wife was brought to life by Catherine Stiles, whose husband opened Stiles Switch when she was 9 months pregnant. (I hope she had the Boobalyzer, because if my husband had been building up to a brand new business opening during my pregnancy, I think I might have broken a few laws and possibly won some type of award for the most perinatal swearing).
What are some of you favorite local purveyors of small gifts?
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