Covering the most creative Texans, which we do all year long, is always a joy. But it’s especially so during the holidays, when we get to recommend 25 of our favorite Texas-made (or at the very least, Texas-concepted) gift ideas. Listed in order of price, we hope they inspire you to shop Texan—a fact that any Lone Star Stater on your list is sure to appreciate. Happy y’allidays!
Grapefruit Cocktail Rimming Salt, Twang, $5
All of Twang’s flavored beer, drink, and snack salts make ideal stocking stuffers or host gifts—they easily turn a basic bottle of tequila or other spirit into a thoughtful present. But the Grapefruit Cocktail Rimming Salt is especially fun. We tried it with straight tequila as well as a classic Paloma and loved how it enhanced both—plus, the bright pink color added a festive touch. Twang was founded in 1986 in Roger Trevino Sr.’s San Antonio garage, and its products are available online as well as at H-E-B, Walmart, and other stores. It’s a true Texas family company: CEO Elysia Treviño-Gonzales, Roger’s daughter, got her start with Twang as a young girl when she appeared on its boxes of pickle salts.
American Dirt Coffee, Free Rein, $16
The name of this dark roast blend might not be the most enticing, but it speaks to its flavor: bold and smooth, with an earthy finish. Kind of like Rip Wheeler, the cowboy played by Cole Hauser on Taylor Sheridan’s smash hit Yellowstone. Two years ago, the actor and three Midland-based partners bought a longtime small San Angelo roaster and renamed it Free Rein Coffee Company. They launched their product line—twelve-ounce bags of ground and whole bean coffee as well as single-serve pods in several flavors—at 1,700 Walmarts as well as at H-E-B. At a launch event this fall in Fort Worth, Hauser, a true coffee lover, talked to Texas Monthly about how our favorite flavor was born from his request for the darkest roast possible. As for the name? It was his idea: “It tastes like American dirt. If you’ve ever been knocked down in the dirt and got a little bit in your mouth, it tastes like that.” We’d never argue with Rip Wheeler.
Tea Towel, Mended, $20
While working for an international nonprofit in 2019, Mallory Martin, who’s from Dallas, visited Southeast Asia and met with survivors of human trafficking and other forms of forced labor. Touched by their stories, she purchased a thousand of their handsewn face masks during the pandemic. Then she got the idea to train almost 25 men and women, all former victims, in a South Indian rural community in the textile technique called block printing, pay them consistent, above-market wages, and sell the resulting wares. Founded in September 2020, Mended now offers an array of linens from these block print artisans, including dinner napkins, tablecloths, and table runners, in inviting prints and patterns. Made of flour-sack cotton, these lotus tea towels in blue and navy add a pretty but practical touch to any kitchen or bathroom.
Longhorn Ornament, Texas General Land Office, $20
In Texas Monthly’s December cover story about the state’s iconic bovine, John Phillip Santos writes: “Rugged, wild, and solitary yet filial, with a rack of horns that today can stretch more than ten feet across, the Longhorn, then and now, has embodied so much of what is mythically Texan—individualistic, indefatigable, improbably big.” The animal’s Texas-sized role in our history is one of the reasons the GLO chose it as the subject of this year’s ornament, which features a drawing of a Longhorn from a Kansas Pacific Railway map from 1873, the pinnacle of the cattle drive era. It’s one of more than 45,000 maps, going back to 1561, in the GLO’s archives. Proceeds of these ornaments go toward the GLO’s Save Texas History program, so go ahead and hook ’em to your Christmas tree.
Lotería Remedios Oracle, Xelena González, $25
Xelena González is a member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, and great-grandmother was a traditional native healer known as a curandera. Known for her beautiful children’s picture books, González has teamed up with her good friend and fellow San Antonio native, painter and illustrator Jose Sotelo Yamasaki, on a deck of cards that uses the beloved 54 lotería symbols not for the traditional bingo-like game but as tools for self-healing and reflection. For example, pulling La Luna invites you to explore your inner world, and La Bandera encourages you to fight for important causes. Published by Hay House, the cards come with a guidebook to help you interpret the symbols.
“Write Now, Edit Later” Journal, Letterpress Play, $26
Kyle and Noah Hawley are a true artistic force that’s helping to transform Austin’s creative landscape. She’s the founder and creative director of Letterpress Play, a letterpress studio and stationery store. He’s the Emmy Award–winning television showrunner behind FX’s Fargo and Legion, as well as the highly anticipated Alien: Earth series coming next summer. He’s also managed to write seven novels, and founded the Austin-based film and TV company 26 Keys Productions. Recently, the couple collaborated on a whimsical “How To” line of printed broadsides (“How to Adult,” “How to Kitchen,” etc.) for Letterpress Play as well as the “Write Now, Edit Later” journal. We came for the motto (which would really help our deadline process, if we’re being honest) and stayed for the navy linen cover, gold foil detail, and 144 unlined pages, which are just waiting for the next big idea.
Fischer Dance Hall Puzzle, Wimberley Puzzle Company, $30
Although photographer J. B. Manning now lives in the small town of Corrigan, about 95 miles northeast of Houston, he still turns his photos of landscapes and Texas icons into puzzles under the name Wimberley Puzzle Company, which he started in 2017. As writer Rose Cahalan explained in a Made in Texas feature this fall, the pandemic puzzle boom allowed him to elevate his game—the cardboard shortage, coupled with a surge in demand, propelled him to start using wood. The majority of his puzzles are of natural wonders, but the historic Fischer Dance Hall, which was built in 1875 and appears in the 1980 Willie Nelson movie Honeysuckle Rose, is a fitting subject. “Dancin’ in the Rain: Fischer Dance Hall” is available in 250, 500, or 1,000 pieces and, like most of his offerings, comes with an easel to display the finished product.
Bee Cups, Jen Rose, $32
These delicate, handmade porcelain creations look like golf tees, but they’re actually little watering stations for bees and butterflies to keep them hydrated and happy while they pollinate. Created by Dallas-based ecological artist Jen Rose, these cups make a sweet gift for any gardener. The secret is the ultraviolet ceramic glaze visible only to the insects (we can see it only with a blacklight) and the funnel shape, which collects a few drops of water from sprinklers or rain. For the holidays, Rose created a set of green cups with red centers and vice versa. Be sure to order directly from her site or through one of her official retailers; as The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year, she was one of many small business owners targeted by impersonators. Lumps of coal for those grinches!
Golf tickets, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, From $35
Frisco, north of Dallas, has become a golf mecca: It’s now home to both the PGA of America headquarters as well as the $520 million Omni PGA Frisco Resort, which opened last year and boasts two eighteen-hole championship golf courses and a two-acre natural-grass putting green. For the golfer in your life, consider tickets to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, which comes to Texas for the first time next summer. Tickets to the event, which takes place June 19–22 at Fields Ranch East, at the PGA complex, are available now. Splurge on packages such as the all-inclusive Club PGA or the “Be There for Both,” which includes early access to tickets for the 2027 PGA Championship. It’s a two-fore-one!
Longhorn Wine Stopper, Savage Metal, $35
Writer Josh Alvarez recently profiled metal artist Juan Stockmeyer, an El Paso native who mines junkyards on both sides of the border for metal scraps and gears. His free-standing sculptures of mining pickaxes welded into large gears are particularly popular with alumni and fans of the University of Texas at El Paso, whose mascot is the Miners. But that’s not the only school he pays homage to: His Longhorn wine stoppers are made from the metal from an old miniature track that was once at the Western Playland amusement park.
Boot Flask Bourbon, Garrison Brothers, $40
One of Texas’s pioneering whiskey distilleries, Hye’s Garrison Brothers is known for its flagship 94-proof Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey. Aged for at least three years in white oak barrels in the blazing Central Texas sun, it’s a dark, rich bourbon that traditionally comes in a 750-milliliter bottle. But we love the smaller 375-milliliter version in a bottle designed to fit inside a boot—or tucked into that stocking hanging over the fireplace.
Farm Life by Randal Ford, $40
A bantam Buff Laced Polish hen named Latte, a regal Arabian horse, and a newborn calf called Bug are just a few of the models who really work it in this delightful photo book. For his third book of animal portraits, Austin-based photographer Randal Ford focuses on farm dwellers from around the state. The 224-page Farm Life: A Collection of Animal Portraits, published in September by Rizzoli International, invites you to marvel at these creatures, from piglets to barn owls. Some of the images—like the one depicting a gray mallard duck in motion—will have you wondering how Ford, who’s shot more than twenty Texas Monthly covers, pulled it off.
Russell Lee Print, 20×200, From $40
During the thirties, photographer Russell Lee captured the toll the Great Depression took on America’s rural communities by traveling the country, including Texas, for the Farm Security Administration. During World War II, he and his wife, Jean Smith, documented the harrowing experience of Japanese Americans. He later joined the University of Texas at Austin as a photography professor and lived in the state capital until his death in 1986—an elementary school is now named in his honor. Taken in March 1939, Lee’s Signs in Front of Highway Tavern, Crystal City, Texas, is one of several Texas-centric prints offered by 20×200, which curates affordable limited edition prints and works by both emerging and legendary artists. The black-and-white print can be ordered framed or unframed and ranges in size from eight-by-ten to forty-by-fifty.
Pitcher, Black Oak Art, $64
All of the handmade ceramic dishware, mugs, tumblers, vases, and other items made by the artisans at Waco’s beloved Black Oak Art are made of Texas clay, so you can’t go wrong with any of its offerings. Even the sponge holder is a work of art. Fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines will recognize some of the studio’s products, which are found at Magnolia Market as well as boutiques across the state. Black Oak’s own retail store is open Thursday–Saturday. Ideal as a drinking vessel or a vase, the hand-thrown pitcher comes in five pleasing colors.
Makeup Kit, Unshattered, $69
Frequent fliers might notice something familiar about these blue and silver leather makeup bags. That’s because they used to be Southwest Airlines seat covers. The Dallas-based airline began its Repurpose with Purpose sustainability program a decade ago, when a redesign of its planes resulted in more than forty acres of old seat leather. Since then, it has donated the material, which it first cleans and refurbishes, to groups around the country, including Unshattered, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of addiction and relapse. Its Possibilities Take Flight collection of travel bags using the Southwest leather are designed and handmade by women in recovery programs. This soft, smart-looking makeup pouch has enough room for all the essentials and is easy to clean.
Silk Scarf, Fringe Scarves, $69
Artist Jon Flaming, who grew up in Irving and lives on a Richardson ranch, is known for his modern reimagining of Western art. His colorful works grace the walls of collectors’ homes and galleries, and thanks to his collaboration with Dallas-based Fringe Scarves, they can also grace your neck on 14mm satin silk. One of the latest additions to this collection is The Stray, which depicts a horseback-riding cowboy, lasso in hand, attempting to herd a steer among the cacti. Fringe founder Jodi Weishaar Hendrickson loves it so much that she hung the print version over her fireplace.
Griddle Utility Bag, Made In, $79
Since its founding in 2017, Made In Cookware has become one of the most highly regarded brands of premium cookware for both home and professional chefs in Texas and beyond. This year the Austin-based company expanded into the Canadian and U.K. markets. Tailgaters and campsite chefs alike will appreciate the brand’s practical griddle utility bag, which makes it easy to take your outdoor cookware and grilling essentials wherever you go. It’s made of luggage-grade nylon, has a stainproof interior, and can fit a two-burner griddle. Better yet, fill the bag with Made In’s carbon steel griddle ($139) and a set of grill tools ($159).
Tailgater Shirt, Snaps, $99
For the Aggie, Horned Frog, Mustang, or Red Raider in your life, consider a stylish short-sleeve shirt with pearl-snaps and school logos from Dallas-based Snaps Clothing. Featuring UPF 50+ sun protection, discreet back vents, and moisture-wicking material, these shirts, officially licensed (no Longhorn offerings yet), can handle hours of tailgating and cheering in the sun. And with their touch of stretchable Spandex, you can confidently eat whatever’s on the grill or enjoy another Shiner.
Surf Lessons, Waco Surf, From $129
Faithful readers of this magazine know that landlocked Waco is home to some of the best waves in the world. Surfers from all over the globe come to the Waco Surf water park, which boasts a state-of-the-art wave machine that pumps out perfect swells. Those sweet waves aren’t just for the pros; they’re also ideal for newbies who want to learn how to catch one. The park offers private and group lessons for all skill levels during its season, from March to December. To order a gift card, send an email to [email protected].
Yacht Club Caftan, Lady Captain, $195
About thirty miles northeast of Corpus Christi, the artsy town of Rockport is the ideal Texas beach getaway, teeming with festivals, fishing boats, and seafood shacks. It’s also home to Lady Captain, a bayside boutique and clothing line founded by locals Claire Fields Craig and Lauren Neal. Among their offerings is this black, all-occasion cotton dress with a scalloped-edge neckline that’s perfect for lounging by the beach, running errands, or going out to dinner (preferably seafood).
Belt, La Matera, $195
Polo belts, also known as gaucho belts, are having a moment. The embroidered leather accessories add a dash of flair and personality to an outfit, especially when they’re made of quality materials. Enter Spicewood-based accessories line La Matera, which recently unveiled the limited edition, 1.25-inch-wide Cazador Polo Belt, made of Argentine saddle leather and featuring light khaki-and-hunter green embroidery. And horses aren’t required: Country singer Thomas Rhett and football’s Eli Manning have both worn La Matera belts during public appearances.
Jetsetter Jacket, Foreign Fare, $198
Life is too short to wait for checked bags at the airport carousel. We’re always on the lookout for multipurpose clothing to squeeze into our carry-ons, and this stylish piece from Houston-based Foreign Fare fits the bill. The weather-resistant blazer features a zip-off hood and extra interior hidden pockets (including one for your AirPods), and it comes in inclusive sizing. The woman behind Foreign Fare, Thy Mitchell (a first-generation Vietnamese American), loves to explore the world both in-person and via Traveler’s Table, the Houston restaurant she co-owns with her husband, Matthew, that features classic dishes from around the world.
TX Single-Stud Earring, Zadok Jewelers, $235
Dror and Helene Zadok moved to Houston from Israel almost fifty years ago with three suitcases, a baby, and a rich history of jewelry-making going back seven generations. Their love and devotion to their adopted home state is apparent in their 24-piece Texas collection, with selections including “Howdy” charms and Longhorn hat pins. We were taken with the 14k yellow gold single-stud “TX” earring. Consider it a lobe star, if you will.
Incense Smoker, Ferro Marfa, $270
“Cute” isn’t a word normally used to describe barbecue smokers, but these intricate, miniature versions—designed to burn incense—carefully crafted by Marfa welder and artist Marc Declercq are simply adorable. The seven-by-nine-inch metal sculptures even boast a patina, giving them that old-school barbecue joint feel. Just light the incense in the chamber, close the little lid, and watch the smoke come out of the chimney.
Crystal Pitcher and Tumbler Set, Douglas Friedman and Lobmeyr for Abask, $2,015
Photographer Douglas Friedman, who has lived in Marfa for more than a decade, is known for his interior work for magazines such as Wallpaper and Architectural Digest, but he turned to the outdoors for his collaboration with famed Viennese glassware brand Lobmeyr, founded in 1823. His West Texas ranch served as inspiration for the limited edition Marfa Collection. Available only via the luxury online retailer Abask, it consists of six hand-painted ultra-thin crystal tumblers, each with a different “High Desert” design (we love the scorpions), and a pitcher featuring a lassoing, horseback-riding cowboy. It sold out quickly, but a restock will be available soon, so giddyup!
Authentic Westernwear from Wrangler®, Prices Vary
Wrangler has you covered for everyone on your list this season—style, comfort, and a little Western charm, all wrapped up in the perfect gifts! Read more here.
Widow Jane Whiskey, Prices Vary
Whether you’re buying for a seasoned collector or someone new to whiskey, Widow Jane’s lineup offers something for every palate this holiday season. Read more here.
Your One-Stop Shop for the Holidays, Prices Vary
Find gifts for everyone on your holiday list at Whole Earth: clothing, shoes, toys, books, luggage, gear, and more! Read more here.
Highland Park Village’s Collection of Brands, Prices Vary
Find gifting inspiration for anyone on your list with Highland Park Village’s curated holiday gift guide. Read more here.
