Gifts for couple relocating to Austin, TX
December 11, 2014 6:01 AM Subscribe
My sister and her boyfriend are moving to Austin (for his job) this month. Ideas for Christmas gifts as new Austin-ites?
Sis and her long-term boyfriend are moving to Austin from SF at the end of this month, and I'm looking for gift ideas for folks living in Austin. They are both in their mid-late thirties (no kids), travel a lot (both for work and pleasure), enjoy cooking and dining out, and are tech-savvy. Both are fit but not super-athletic, she also enjoys photography and he likes to golf. Caveats: I don't know what kitchen tools/books they already own, and due to how much they travel, both already have necessary items such as extra phone chargers, toiletry kits, and various luggage choices. No food allergies between the two but he does not eat pork. Neither is much of a drinker.
They are well-off and can afford to buy themselves whatever they need/want, so good gifts will be things which are more thoughtful or unique. These could be individual gifts for each of them or something for the two of them to enjoy together. Anyone have ideas specifically to new residents of Austin, such as memberships, classes, guided tours, restaurant certificates? I'd like to keep my total spend on the two under $250. Any and all ideas welcome!
Sis and her long-term boyfriend are moving to Austin from SF at the end of this month, and I'm looking for gift ideas for folks living in Austin. They are both in their mid-late thirties (no kids), travel a lot (both for work and pleasure), enjoy cooking and dining out, and are tech-savvy. Both are fit but not super-athletic, she also enjoys photography and he likes to golf. Caveats: I don't know what kitchen tools/books they already own, and due to how much they travel, both already have necessary items such as extra phone chargers, toiletry kits, and various luggage choices. No food allergies between the two but he does not eat pork. Neither is much of a drinker.
They are well-off and can afford to buy themselves whatever they need/want, so good gifts will be things which are more thoughtful or unique. These could be individual gifts for each of them or something for the two of them to enjoy together. Anyone have ideas specifically to new residents of Austin, such as memberships, classes, guided tours, restaurant certificates? I'd like to keep my total spend on the two under $250. Any and all ideas welcome!
It does get hot and humid in Texas (100F+ summers are the norm, not the exception), so there's that.
You could get them a guided tour of Austin and gift cards to two quintessential Texas chains: Rudy's and Whataburger. (No, I didn't give hole-in-the-wall restaurants; those are best discovered on their own.) Also, all good Texas homes need a metal Lone Star to hang on the wall. Do they like sports? The Round Rock Express baseball team starts in April. Oh, and Austin has Ride the Ducks like they may have done elsewhere, just for the fun of comparison.
posted by fireoyster at 6:35 AM on December 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
You could get them a guided tour of Austin and gift cards to two quintessential Texas chains: Rudy's and Whataburger. (No, I didn't give hole-in-the-wall restaurants; those are best discovered on their own.) Also, all good Texas homes need a metal Lone Star to hang on the wall. Do they like sports? The Round Rock Express baseball team starts in April. Oh, and Austin has Ride the Ducks like they may have done elsewhere, just for the fun of comparison.
posted by fireoyster at 6:35 AM on December 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Left Austin quite a few years ago, but a few favorites:
posted by pjenks at 6:43 AM on December 11, 2014 [8 favorites]
- Gift certificate to Alamo Drafthouse or Arbor Cinema
- Year-long car pass for Travis County Parks (Hippy Hollow, Hamilton Pool, etc)
- Restaurant/Cafe gift certificates: Stubbs, The Salt Lick (BBQ), Quacks Coffeeshop, Cherrywood Coffeeshop, Mozart's Coffee, Star Seeds (punk 24h diner), Upper Crust Bakery (bakery=cinnamon rolls) , Madras Pavilion (veggy Indian, weekend buffet), El Caribe (Tex-mex)
- Some bucks for entrance fees at Deep Eddy and Barton Springs
posted by pjenks at 6:43 AM on December 11, 2014 [8 favorites]
Definitely gift certificates to Alamo Drafthouse.
Last night, we had a holiday party where there were cash door prizes. Despite there being $100 cash prizes, what people really went crazy for was the $50 Alamo gift cards. It was incredible.
It's more than just a movie theater; it's an icon here. Even if they aren't big movie fans, the Alamo tends to have events that appeal to everyone. And the food is expensive but delicious, so a gift card is really useful.
Without knowing where they are going to be living, I wouldn't get any restaurant certificates. If they live far south, for instance, it probably wouldn't be worth going to Cherrywood Coffeehouse.
posted by tofu_crouton at 7:01 AM on December 11, 2014 [5 favorites]
Last night, we had a holiday party where there were cash door prizes. Despite there being $100 cash prizes, what people really went crazy for was the $50 Alamo gift cards. It was incredible.
It's more than just a movie theater; it's an icon here. Even if they aren't big movie fans, the Alamo tends to have events that appeal to everyone. And the food is expensive but delicious, so a gift card is really useful.
Without knowing where they are going to be living, I wouldn't get any restaurant certificates. If they live far south, for instance, it probably wouldn't be worth going to Cherrywood Coffeehouse.
posted by tofu_crouton at 7:01 AM on December 11, 2014 [5 favorites]
It probably says something that I was coming in here to say Alamo Drafthouse, too.
posted by fiercecupcake at 7:22 AM on December 11, 2014 [5 favorites]
posted by fiercecupcake at 7:22 AM on December 11, 2014 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Nthing Alamo gift certificates. I hate seeing movies anywhere else.
If they are food people, a gift certificate to a class at Antonelli's Cheese Shop would be a nice treat -- I went to one when I first moved here, and made some friends.
Other than that, knowing what part of Austin they are moving to would be helpful.
As for restaurants that are worth driving for (without knowing neighborhood):
- BBQ places (above suggestions for Rudy's, the Salt Lick, etc. are iconic if not the best in town)
- High end places that might appeal to people who follow restaurants: Uchi/Uchiko, Qui (chef is the winner of Top Chef Texas), La Condessa, Barley Swine, Odd Duck, Contigo)
- Also, climate change from SF to Austin in summer would be huge -- prepping for hot and sunny -- gifts of sunscreen, hats, warm weather workout gear, with a park pass or something would work.
posted by hrj at 7:33 AM on December 11, 2014 [3 favorites]
If they are food people, a gift certificate to a class at Antonelli's Cheese Shop would be a nice treat -- I went to one when I first moved here, and made some friends.
Other than that, knowing what part of Austin they are moving to would be helpful.
As for restaurants that are worth driving for (without knowing neighborhood):
- BBQ places (above suggestions for Rudy's, the Salt Lick, etc. are iconic if not the best in town)
- High end places that might appeal to people who follow restaurants: Uchi/Uchiko, Qui (chef is the winner of Top Chef Texas), La Condessa, Barley Swine, Odd Duck, Contigo)
- Also, climate change from SF to Austin in summer would be huge -- prepping for hot and sunny -- gifts of sunscreen, hats, warm weather workout gear, with a park pass or something would work.
posted by hrj at 7:33 AM on December 11, 2014 [3 favorites]
Alamo gift certificates are a good idea, or if they're film buffs they may enjoy the less mainstream offerings and high end cocktails at the Violet Crown
But anyone who is food snobby and has lived here for more than 6 mos looks down on Rudys/Salt Lick/Stubbs. Normally I wouldn't give away the game to newbies, but for barbecue you want a gift certificate for Mickelthwaite, and I echo all of hrj's other recommendations for food - Uchicko, Condessa and Barley Swine are all excellent
posted by slow graffiti at 7:57 AM on December 11, 2014 [3 favorites]
But anyone who is food snobby and has lived here for more than 6 mos looks down on Rudys/Salt Lick/Stubbs. Normally I wouldn't give away the game to newbies, but for barbecue you want a gift certificate for Mickelthwaite, and I echo all of hrj's other recommendations for food - Uchicko, Condessa and Barley Swine are all excellent
posted by slow graffiti at 7:57 AM on December 11, 2014 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks all - Alamo Drafthouse is a great idea! As for where they'll be living, they're still looking but I know they want to be near UT as that's where he's rented some offices (I realize that could still mean a lot of different 'hoods). They have an offer in on a place which she said will be "close to festivals" which I took to mean has fairly easy access to SXSW, etc. They do have a car.
[Note: Yes, I find their lack of clarity on housing alarming at this late date but they don't seem to be concerned so I'm staying out of it.]
posted by Bretley at 8:58 AM on December 11, 2014
[Note: Yes, I find their lack of clarity on housing alarming at this late date but they don't seem to be concerned so I'm staying out of it.]
posted by Bretley at 8:58 AM on December 11, 2014
Good suggestions above. They also might enjoy a gift certificate for classes at Central Market's Cooking School.
posted by pantarei70 at 9:08 AM on December 11, 2014
posted by pantarei70 at 9:08 AM on December 11, 2014
They're looking for housing in Central Austin then. That means any of the restaurants indicated above are good choice, though I personally think taco gift certificates are the way to go: get them both Torchy's and Tacodeli and let them decide which one they're going to argue is better for the rest of their time here.
Since I work in tourism I will not push my own company, but we do have a lot of newly relocated folks who enjoy the whole 'tour experience. The folks at Austin Eats are good people and I've heard good things about their food truck tour.
Look forward to laughing at them in a few years when they get sick of being close to festivals ;)
posted by theweasel at 11:17 AM on December 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Since I work in tourism I will not push my own company, but we do have a lot of newly relocated folks who enjoy the whole 'tour experience. The folks at Austin Eats are good people and I've heard good things about their food truck tour.
Look forward to laughing at them in a few years when they get sick of being close to festivals ;)
posted by theweasel at 11:17 AM on December 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
A large belt buckle with their initial on it. Not that they'll necessarily wear it that often, but it's humorous, and should they decide to trek outside the city or hit up a rodeo, it could be fun to wear.
posted by chrisamiller at 11:28 AM on December 11, 2014
posted by chrisamiller at 11:28 AM on December 11, 2014
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posted by amtho at 6:11 AM on December 11, 2014