Keep it weird and wonderful this holiday season in Austin. Explore the unique and local businesses for your holiday shopping, from brunch bus tour companies to low-carbon-impact shoemakers.
For the foodie: Twisted Texas Tour
Why you should support this business: These bus tours are the perfect way to sit back with a group of your faves and get a taste of the best eats and brews in Austin.
Potential gifts: Brunch Bus if you want to try specialties like breakfast tacos or chicken & waffles, or Brew Bus if you want to venture through Austin’s best breweries
Check out Twisted Texas Tour’s website here.
For the outdoorsy type: RoverPass
Why you should support this business: Need a centralized place to find and book the best campsites and RV grounds across the United States? RoverPass has you covered.
Potential gifts: Rent a spot in a campground near Austin, or any of the other dozens of cities RoverPass provides
Check out RoverPass’s website here.
For the person who always has holes in their socks: Sock Club
Why you should support this business: A high-quality pair of socks is vastly underrated. Sock Club will get you creatively designed socks with cotton grown and knit right in American factories.
Potential gifts: Sock Club Mystery Pack, or you could buy individual pairs like The Mod-y Christmas Socks or The Forest Friends Socks
Check out Sock Club’s website here.
For the person who has a lot of 🏳️🌈 pride AND always has holes in their socks: Pride Socks
Why you should support this business: “Wear your freedom. Rock your style” is a value they hold dear. Inclusivity for the win.
Potential gifts: Fearless — Over the Knee Tube Socks, Ready Set Glow Headband/Wristband, Courage Low-Cut Crew Socks
Check out Pride Socks’ website here.
For the workout buddy: Rō Fitness
Why you should support this business: No matter your age or your fitness level, Rō Fitness has a selection of row workouts to help you and your friends stay on track with your New Years’ exercise resolutions.
Potential gifts: 3-Class Starter Pack, though you can also choose a number of other membership types, or a gift card
Check out Rō Fitness’s website here.
For the skincare aficionado: Renée Rouleau Skincare
Why you should support this business: No one-size-fits-all approach here — Renée Rouleau’s products are personalized for different skin types.
Potential gifts: Rapid Response Detox Masque + Triple Berry Smoothing Peel Duo, Zit Care Kit
Check out Renée Rouleau’s website here.
For the cyclist: Clown Dog Bikes
Why you should support this business: This bike shop has been around for 20+ years across from the University of Texas campus, and we want them to be around for at least 20 more years!
Potential gifts: Bike models on the cheaper end (under $1000) like the Giant Escape 3, but if you want to splurge more, go for models like the Surly Ice Cream Truck.
Check out Clown Dog Bikes’ website here.
For the creative: Adonit
Why you should support this business: Their stylus pens are an upgrade for any writer and artist looking to blend analog and digital.
Potential gifts: The Adonit Ink Stylus, The Adonit iPad Case, The Photogrip
Check out Adonit’s website here.
For the friend who’s always running around: Suav Shoes
Why you should support this business: Besides building shoes made for every circumstance — from commuting to a night out — Suav Shoes is also a low-carbon-impact brand that uses sustainable materials.
Potential gifts: The Zilker Shoes (Women’s Size), The Zilker Gum Shoes (Men’s)
Check out Suav Shoes’ website here.
For the friend who could use a home-cooked meal: Hecho en Mexico
Why you should support this business: This family-owned business boasts 45 years in interior Mexican cooking, so you can bet their buñuelos, caldos, and tostadas are made with love and tradition.
Potential gifts: Take your loved one out to dinner at either of the two locations for plates like Platon de Enchiladas de Mole, Chile en Nogada, or Salsa a la Veracruzana. And if you’d like to take it a step further, consider selecting them for catering for your next holiday party!
