Fa la la! The holidays are upon us, and I’m sharing my local Austin gift guide to help you find the *perfect* unique, locally-made Austin gift for that special someone on your list. I’ve shared some of my favorite Austin boutique stores in the past, but in this guide I’ll share some specific ideas of fun Austin gift ideas like handmade botanical gifts, local Austin toy stores, and other unique gifts.
Shopping at a cute Austin boutique store is always fun, but this year it’s especially important to support small Austin businesses. Why? We’re in the midst of a bit of a supply chain crisis, and small businesses are the ones that really get hurt. So by stopping by a nearby craft fair, farmers market, or local Austin boutique, you’ll be supporting the amazing people whose darling businesses need your support the most.
Local Austin Gift Guide
Table of Contents
There are so many places to shop in Austin! For ease of use, I’m breaking this guide into 4 parts: local Austin gift stores, locally made gifts, local Austin gifts for kids, and Austin-owned Etsy stores.
LOCAL AUSTIN STORES AND BOUTIQUES
Here are just a few of the many fantastic gift shops here in ATX. For a more comprehensive list, here’s a guide to some of my favorite local Austin boutiques.
VIVA DAY SPA
A gift card or a spa package at Viva Day Spa always wins! Viva offers a full menu of spa and med spa treatments at their 3 Austin locations.
From their relaxing massages and facials to their medical spa offerings like laser treatments and injectables, Viva truly has something for everyone.
And if you don’t know what sort of massage or pedicure or treatment your recipient might want, a gift card is always a winner!
Three Austin Locations | WEBSITE
Precision Camera
If you’re in the photography community in Austin, you’re aware of this gem! Precision Camera & Video has been serving our city since 1976 and they currently have two Austin locations. Precision has a top notch staff that’s always willing to help me out when I need to search for camera supplies or accessories.
If you have someone on your gift list who has always been interested in learning more about photography, a class at Precision would make a really fun gift! Here’s a link to the types of classes they offer. They offer hundreds every year, including shooting, editing, and some fun photo adventures. There are practical classes, like real estate photography or intro to Nikon cameras, and some fun adventures like a Big Bend photography workshop out in West Texas.
And if you or someone on your gift list who has a creative side hustle (like an Etsy store, a recipe blog, etc), a nice camera would make an excellent gift! I bought my first DSLR camera within a year of starting this blog, and I used that camera to take photos for my book and eventually launch this blog into my full-time business. There are a lot of different camera options and price points, so your best bet is to go into a Precision Camera & Video store and talk to a staff member. They’ll help you pick the perfect camera.
Precision Camera is a So Much Life partner.
Two Austin locations | WEBSITE
Slow North
I’m obsessed with this beautiful store in north Austin. Slow North sells botanical goods like gorgeous candles, essential oils, and meditation stones. You’ll literally feel your shoulders relax down when you walk into the store and take a deep breath of the wonderful aroma. Slow North has lots of mindful gift ideas, like lavender linen spray, home goods to promote low-waste living, and a monthly candle subscription.
2700 W Anderson Ln #410, Austin, TX 78757 | WEBSITE
A-Town
If you want locally-made Austin gift ideas in one place, go to A-town. It’s a fun and funky store that sources items made by local Austin artists and artisans. From coffee table books to coasters to apparel and gifts and more, A-Town is a great place to do holiday shopping.
5502 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756 | WEBSITE
Big Henry's Vinyl and Gifts
Big Henry’s is the vinyl shop adjacent to Antone’s night club on 6th street. If you have someone in your life who loves vinyl, this is a fun place to get blues or funk records as well as some iconic Antone’s apparel.
305 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701 | WEBSITE
Take Heart
For all sorts of home accessories and houseware, check out Take Heart Shop in east Austin. It’s such a gorgeous, calming shopping experience. This local Austin boutique is a beautiful place to find a unique gift idea for a mom or mother-in-law in your life.
1211 E 11th St Suite 100, Austin, TX 78702 | WEBSITE
Parts & Labour
Parts & Labour on SOCO is one of my go-to spots to get fun Austin-themed gifts for visitors. Like A-Town in north Austin, they source their merchandise from local Austin vendors, so you’re able to find unique (and funny!) gift ideas, clothing, handmade cards, etc.
Black Pearl Books
Not only is this a fantastic independent bookstore that’s black-owned, it also exists with the mission to “promote diversity, inclusion, equality, cultural awareness, and community” through the books that it sells. Shop here for life-changing literature.
4803 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756 | WEBSITE
Remember, you can find a map of tons of other unique Austin boutique stores I love here. If you’re looking for more shops that sell locally-made clothing and jewelry, vintage furniture, toys, succulents, and so much more, take a look at My Favorite Local Austin Boutiques.
LOCALLY MADE AUSTIN GIFTS
Texas Sage
Artfully crafted polymer clay jewelry. These earrings are SUPER lightweight because of their material, so they’re perfect for someone who has sensitive ears but still wants a big statement earring. |WEBSITE|
Morgan Menichini
This online shop from a local Austinite sells hand-lettered items like mugs, journals, encouragement cards, and more. You can also get personalized items, like a duo of champagne flutes (fun for a newly-married couple or new home owners!) |WEBSITE|
The Good Hippie
These are natural, artisan skincare and beauty products made in small batches in Austin Texas. They’re made with the belief that daily hygiene and care should be an indulgence! All products are made with the yummiest natural ingredients and free from everything icky, like parabens, fillers, or plastic packaging. |WEBSITE|
Love Weld
An welding studio in Austin Texas that creates classics (those little gold stacking rings – swoon!) and statement pieces. This 14k minimalist jewelry is customized for you when you visit their welding studio, then adorned with their special clasp-free technology. You can shop from various collections like “The Mother,” “The Daughter,” or “The Friend.” |WEBSITE|
Coloring Austin
I’ve followed this instagram account for a while, and all of Avery’s original Austin watercolors are so much fun! She paints iconic Austin restaurants, foods, and fun locations like The South Congress Hotel and The Paramount Theater. It would be fun to find a location that’s sentimental to your recipient, like where they enjoyed their first meal in Austin, or the location of a first date. |WEBSITE|
Weather And Story
These handmade leather bags come in the yummiest designs, and they’re made from ethically sourced, 100% full-grain leather. These bags, which are individually handmade in Austin, are made to last a lifetime. They would be such a gorgeous investment piece to gift to someone in your life. |WEBSITE|
Madera Custom Woodworks
Local Austin woodworker Julio makes the most stunning custom baby and pet gates (among other things) for your stairs. If you have a gift recipient with a toddler in their house, a custom baby gate would be both practical and special. Julio can custom design the gates to match your stairs for an asthetcally – pleasing stair gate (which is so much better than those ugly white baby gates from Target…) |WEBSITE|
Frankie Jean
If you want a fun Austin gift, these hats, shirts, bandanas, and more from Frankie Jean are perfect! They say things like TACO or QUESO and have all the Austin vibes. |WEBSITE|
Hemlock & Heather
This reclaimed wooden artwork is made right here in Austin, Texas, but you can design it in any state. (Fun idea to ship to someone from out of state!) They all have a bright 70s vibe, although you can customize the paint colors. Along with wall hangings, they sell ornaments, panels, and more. |WEBSITE|
Kathy Phantastic
A custom pet portrait from Kathy Phantastic is the perfect gift for a cat or dog-parent in your life. She starts with a photograph of your furry friend and creates a custom watercolor duplicate. She also makes magnets, stickers, and stationary that would be a great local Austin stocking stuffer! |WEBSITE|
Animal Kisses and Well Wishes
custom personalized stationary is a fun things to own, but most of us don’t order it for ourselves. So a gift of your own name on your stationary set would be very fun. They also make some sets specifically for kids, which would be a wonderful way to encourage thank you note writing for little ones. |WEBSITE|
Mother Nutrient
A supplement brand created by a mom for moms, Mother Nutrient has products designed for every stage of a mother’s life: trying to conceive, pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding. Their “bundle boxes” are a wonderful gift idea because they have a trio of supplements to help provide essential nutrients for a mom’s physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. I personally used these products for both of my postpartum experiences, and I recommend them to all of my friends. You can use SOMUCHLIFE15 for 15% off your order. |WEBSITE|
Abby Lou Pottery
This Austin-based pottery studio creates pieces that are designed to be functional: whiskey cups, steins, salt cellars, tiki glasses, and more. For a unique Austin gift that’s both beautiful and practical, check out Abby Lou Pottery. |WEBSITE|
Daisy Metalworks
Every piece of jewelry from Daisy Metalworks is individually handmade in Austin Texas. These are great pieces for someone who enjoys simple pieces that still make a statement. |WEBSITE|
Folk Potions
They call themselves “SLOW SKINCARE.” Ahh…how wonderful does that sound? Folk Potions is a skincare brand based in Austin that offers oils, body butters, CBD, salves, and more. These products are made by a mom o two who is also a folksinger and grew up in Portland, Oregon, raised by hippies. These would be a fun gift to pair with a gift card to a yoga studio. |WEBSITE|
Monthly pilates subscription to The Golden Hour Method
If you’re buying a gift for someone who is over worked, stressed out, and not taking the time for themselves that they deserve, consider gifting a monthly membership to The Golden Hour Method online pilates subscription. Created by Austin local Meredith Ramirez, this is a meditation and movement method to help you balance your body and your life. |WEBSITE|
Peanut Butter Nuggets at Restart CBD
This local Austin family-owned CBD shop was voted the best CBD purveyor in Austin. In addition to edibles and oils, they even sell CBD for your pet. So if Fluffy is on your to-buy list, you can even shop local for her. |WEBSITE|
Candle Subscription at The Burlap Bag
The Burlap Bag sells some of the most beloved candles in Austin. You’ll find them all over town in local gift shops. But did you know they also offer a monthly subscription? Bonus: if you’re local and can pick up your order instead of having it shipped, you get a discount. |WEBSITE|
AUSTIN GIFTS FOR KIDS
Terra Toys
Even as an adult, I find this store fun! Terra Toys is a delightful local Austin toys store with TONS of fun gift ideas for a young person in your life.
2438 W Anderson Ln C1, Austin, TX 78757 | WEBSITE
Austin Baby Co.
Austin Baby Co. makes Bento Boxes that are perfect for toddlers who are going to school. They’re thoughtfully-designed by an Austin mother who wanted an easy way to transport and serve food for her little ones. The silicone lunch boxes, bibs, and placemats are made in fun colors (so kids love them) and are easy to use and wash. |WEBSITE|
Austin Nature Works
Not only are these wooden toys handcrafted and beautifully made, but they’re also a thoughtful gift to give: for every toy purchased, a tree is planted. |WEBSITE|
Enlightened Baby
This is an excellent Austin boutique that curates a selection of baby items that are thoughtful, ethical, and made-to-last. If you’re overwhelmed by the many “must-have baby registry items!!” lists out there and you want to cut out the noise, go to Enlightened Baby to choose from some of their beautiful products.
515 S Congress Ave UNIT 103, Austin, TX 78704 | WEBSITE
Over The Rainbow
Opened in 1975, this is Austin’s oldest toy store! This locally owned gem sells toys and art supplies and all sorts of other fun gift ideas for kids.
1601 W 38th St #3, Austin, TX 78731 | WEBSITE
Wilder And Rye
This Austin-owned Etsy shop sells cute kids shirts have Austin sayings on them. They’re the perfect local Austin gift idea for kids who live here, or a fun souvenir for someone visiting. |WEBSITE|
Picket Fences
This is a beautiful boutique with nursery items, maternity clothes, toys, and other fun accessories for babies. Everything is handpicked and the entire shopping experience is wonderful.
1003 W 34th St, Austin, TX 78705 |WEBSITE
Gemini Woodworks Sensory Boxes
Sensory tables are both fun and beneficial for young children, and these custom-made wooden tables are gorgeous. |WEBSITE|
AUSTIN-OWNED ETSY SHOPS
Ginably// WEBSITE // Whimsical prints + products like stationary, tape, and stickers.
Sheyna Makes// WEBSITE // Digital products and “cheeky goods” like a uterus-shaped pin printed with “my body my choice”
Sweet Thyme Design// WEBSITE // Hand-stamped vintage spoons.
Chasing Indigo// WEBSITE // Boho sterling silver jewelry.
Sam Wish// WEBSITE // Organic body products like body oil, face scrub, and spa products.
Jayne and Green// WEBSITE // Printables for every day moments, lik a “self-care check in.” Would be cute printed and framed as a gift!
Silverspool // WEBSITE // Monogrammed goods, like sweet little baby bibs and canvas cosmetic totes.
Mountains of Thread // WEBSITE // Original embroidery
ATXpressions // WEBSITE // Unique resin jewelry
While this is far from a comprehensive list of local Austin businesses that create fun gift ideas, my hope is that it inspires you to do part of your holiday shopping nearby!
PS: If you’re looking for more holiday ideas, here are my favorite local Austin boutiques. And if you’d like to see some fun holiday activities in Austin, they’re right here.
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Whole Earth Provision is a great locally owned shop for all things outdoors and so many great gifts!