Lifestyle

10 Unique Hill Country Gift Ideas

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Tony Maples Photography

 

By Marcy Stellfox

Attention last minute shoppers! Have you crossed everyone off your Christmas list – or are you springing new gray hairs on an hourly basis trying to decide what to get Aunt Pearl, Uncle Jim or Cousin Clem? Do yourself a favor – take a trip down a country lane or shop from home online and give some special gifts unique to the Texas Hill Country. These Texas treasures are sure to bring a smile to everyone on your gift list come Christmas Day.

Deck the Halls and Stock the Bar…

10 Unique Hill Country Gift Ideas

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Just outside Austin south on Hwy 290 sits the Deep Eddy Vodka distillery. Deep Eddy vodka is distilled from corn and made with only the finest ingredients including essential oils, premium juices and natural sweeteners like local honey. Try the original vodka or choose one of their flavored vodkas such as Deep Eddy Cranberry – perfect for the holiday season.

Wine

10 Unique Hill Country Gift Ideas

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And as long as we are talking libations, it’s not just vodka the Texas Hill Country has for sampling. Grab a nice bottle of red for the wine lover on your list. Try some of these local favorites – Wedding Oak’s 2013 Tioja in San Saba, Texas Legato 2012 Family Reunion red blend in Lampasas, William Chris Texas Mourvedre in Johnson City or Hawk’s Shadow 2012 Très Robles in Wimberley.

Beer

10 Unique Hill Country Gift Ideas

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Did someone say beer? Beer connoisseurs everywhere are starting to look south when seeking a craft brew. Create a Hill Country six pack of local faves like Blanco’s Real Ale Fireman’s Number 4, Adelbert’s Philosophiser, Independence Brewing’s Austin Amber Ale, 512’s Pecan Porter and Dripping Springs Twisted X Premium Lager.

Margaritas

10 Unique Hill Country Gift Ideas

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Finally, with some of the meanest margaritas this side of Mexico, don’t forget the Dulce Vida Tequila. Although distilled in Mexico, this multi award winning tequila is the only USDA organic tequila in the world and sources its agave in the Los Altos highlands in the Tequila region of Mexico. Try their Dulce Vida Añejo tequila for tequila that’s smooth enough to sip.

Farm Favorites

10 Unique Hill Country Gift Ideas

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Hill Country Lavender out of Blanco, has a great little on-line shop selling all things lavender. From unique items like lavender tea, body pillows, blends to rid your home of moths and scorpions, and lavender spice mixtures for cooking to more traditional items such as dried lavender, sachets and essential oils, the lavender lover on your list will swoon with happiness to find a sweet smelling gift from this little shop.

Soaps

10 Unique Hill Country Gift Ideas

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Oak Hill Soap, LLC of Lampasas has a vast array of items to stuff stockings to bursting this holiday. It’s the dwarf Nigerian and Nubian dairy goats that act as Santa’s helpers at this Hill Country workshop. Their specialties include goat milk soaps, lip butters, lotion bars, goat’s milk lotion, and even a special concoction for joint pain. Soap scents range the gamut from floral notes like plumeria and jasmine to special blends for the Hill Country hippie or man folk on your list.

Coffee

10 Unique Hill Country Gift Ideas

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Most of us can use a little jolt of caffeine to get the blood flowing. Give your java lover a little something local from Cuvee Coffee of Spicewood. Cuvee is committed to sustainable, quality, and direct relationship coffee growing and roasting and takes their commitment to the environment seriously. They believe in positively impacting the quality of life of those that contribute to the coffee roasting process while also preserving natural resources. You can feel good about giving these beans as gifts. Check out their on-line shop to find your favorite flavor.

Hill Country Art

10 Unique Hill Country Gift Ideas

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Looking to help support some local artisans this season? Then check out Artisans – A Texas Gallery in Fredericksburg. No matter the medium it won’t be hard to find a meaningful and memorable gift. From paintings to photography, jewelry to pottery, fiber arts and wood crafted items the art lover on your list will be thrilled. The best part is giving back by supporting local Hill Country artists. Give a unique, one of a kind gift this season to someone you love.

Give the Gift of Meat

10 Unique Hill Country Gift Ideas

Photo: The Salt Lick BBQ (Facebook)

Besides wine, lavender, and beautiful scenery, the Hill Country is known for barbecue. Introduce someone this year to this Texas specialty or give the meat-lover on your list the ultimate gift. Salt Lick Barbecue in Driftwood has a good selection of gift choices from sauces and rubs to cookbooks and tasty samplings of its luscious meats.

“Parking” Pass, Please

10 Unique Hill Country Gift Ideas

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Have an outdoor enthusiast on your list? Then nothing could be better than gifting a Texas Parks and Wildlife park pass to your favorite tree-hugger. The Hill Country area is chock full of nature at its best – Lost Maples known for its beautiful fall foliage, Garner State Park on the gorgeous Frio River, Kickapoo Caverns for cave tours and mountain biking. Grab the gift that gives all year and support our state park system, too.