Treat your loved ones to fun, cozy, and personalized picks this holiday gifting season. | Graphic by 6AM City
What do a literary quote clock, three pounds of salt, and a duck lamp have in common? They’re all in our holiday gift guide. Happy shopping.
Gifts for holiday parties and gift exchanges
Local pick:Cereal Milk Candle | $40 | Give the gift of great smells and tranquility at home with Clay House Candle’s beautiful candles that everyone is sure to love.
Monopoly Deal | $7.99 | This fun + family-friendly gift is a fast-paced version of the classic board game.
Three pounds of really good salt | $49.99 | This one is sure to get some strange looks, but its silliness and sheer practicality might make it the most memorable gift at the party.
$22,672. That’s the annual cost of raising a child in Texas in 2025, according to new data from Visual Capitalist. But when it comes to family fun, the best things in life are still free — including these 25+ no-cost activities across Austin.
Mansion Monday
We’ve all got that loved one who is especially hard to shop for. Enter: our Gift Guide, full of ideas that even the pickiest person will love. Stumbled into a little more cash in 2025? This extravagant Lake Austin home just hit the market, and would make for a holiday season to remember.
On This Day
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, leading to her arrest. It was an act of bravery now considered one of the pivotal moments in the Civil Rights Movement. If you’ve got a hankering to learn more US history, and Austin history, our museums are full of important knowledge. (National Constitution Center)
Read
The winners are in for the 2025 National Book Awards. This year’s top fiction, nonfiction, poetry, young adult literature, and translated works were all awarded for their excellence. Whichever pages you’re turning at the moment, there are plenty of local authors to add to your TBR. (NPR)
Try This
What’s on your bucket list? If you’ve already visited the Texas State Fair, you’ve already completed the best bucket-list item in Texas, according to Reader’s Digest. But why stop there? Reach for the stars and visit all of these iconic landmarks around Capital City.
Asked
We’re on the hunt for Taslin. According to a recent study, all five Americans named Taslin (2014-2024) were born in Texas. Is that you? Taslins, write in. (WBBJ)
Sports
The Cowboys beat the Chiefs 31-28 on Thanksgiving day, stunning fans with a nearly perfect performance. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Cowboys with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Try This
People always ask us, “How do you stay on top of holiday happenings?” Answer: Downtown Austin Alliance’s holiday hub: a free resource for pop-ups, seasonal shows, deals from local bizzes, and so much more. Just text “ATX HOLIDAYS” to (512) 890-3099.*
Community
Do you need hiring help? We’ve got your back. Post your open roles on our Job Board + get connected with local candidates in no time. Pssst — did we mention it’s free?
Now that Thanksgiving is over, I can finally get in the holiday spirit. I can’t wait to check out the many holiday markets in town, like the UMLAUF After Dark market.
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