My friend's 30th birthday is coming up and I'm at a loss for gift ideas.
Just a little background:
She lived in Texas from birth to high school graduation. After that she went to West Point, moved all over the world with the military and is now in Kansas. Although we stay in touch, its more of a once every few months kind of thing, so I have no idea what her favorite book/movie/etc. may be.
I thought it might be cute to put together a package of things that really represent Texas. Since it is August, nothing can be perishable since I'm going to be mailing it. I would really like to avoid 'tourist' gifts (i.e. jalapeno lollipops with bugs in them or whatever else they sell at that one store at the mall). Any ideas?
If anyone has any other ideas other than the Texas theme, I'm definitely up for suggestions! I would like to avoid gift cards since they are somewhat impersonal (especially if I don't know what her favorite restaurant/store/coffee shop might be).
Thanks!
I sent a "Taste of Texas" gift basket (the actual item name) to friends through Goodies from Goodman. The report I got back was that everything was yummy! You could put on the card that you thought she might like to revisit her childhood state through food and maybe even share it with her Kansan friends.
Hope this helps!
RoBear's has some nice gift baskets and they will ship them as well. They have a Texas theme, such as candy jalapenos, jalapeno pickles, cowboy caviar, salsa (3 different hotness levels), etc. They're owned by a very nice family in Frisco. I had them put together a great basket for my dad for Father's Day and they did a super job.
Try www.etsy.com It is an amazing website with thousands of little "stores" of handmade items. You need to register (free) to purchase, but it is worth it. It is my favorite place to find special gifts!
I did a quick search for "Texas" and found 76 pages of items.
http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_ti...
I am sure you will find something beautiful, unique and appropriate there!
Best wishes,
www.shoozieshoes.etsy.com
If she likes wine, there are some really good Texas wines. Or if she's more into jewelry, check out James Avery.
A.,
Ask your other Texan friends who live outside of Texas what they miss. Off the top of my head I can think of a few things I missed.....Wolf Brand Chili, Polish Dill Pickles, pecans. I have a friend who is living in Florida she misses Texas BBQ Sauce (it's a lot different than other areas), and Texas Made Hot Sauce (also different flavor). Good beef jerkey is usually hard to get in other places.
good luck. c becker
For my friend's 40th, we gave her a beach towel, ball cap and robe all monogrammed with "est. 1968". Pretty cute, and never gets dated like something with their age.
I just noticed in Williams Sonoma online - Wild West Ice-Cream Sandwich Molds, Set of 3 that are $9.99. They were cute.
I was recently at a gift shop in the Gaylord Texan, they had a lot of Texas jellies, dip mixes, and dressings that looked delicious. They shouldn't be perishable.
This is a bit random, but there are a ton of states where you can't buy Rotel. I think I can't move out of TX. I cook with Rotel ALL THE TIME.
There was a Texas store in Stonebriar Mall in Frisco. I don't know if it is still there. They had great stuff. Also Rudy's Barbeque has gift baskets with sauces and stuff for making BBQ. You can find order online or if you are in the Friso area there is one off the Tollway just north of Main.
D. M
I highly suggest Gourmet Apples & More...they are out of Houston. They have great baskets & theme boxes. They ship their products fresh in styrofoam containers with ice packs so the product arrives fresh. Here's their website: www.gourmetapples.com Their apples are to die for!! Good luck!
Besides all of the prior ideas, you may want to check with the West Point Society of North Texas or any of the Texas West Point Parent Clubs and see if they have any WP Texan products.
M., West Point Class of 88
Bluebonnet seeds, a "texas" chip & dip set, Texas flag bandanas to line a basket. There are also several lines of actual chips that are shaped like the state of Texas, and salsa products that are made here in Texas that wouldn't be perishable. Or a subscription to Texas Monthly.
As far as Texas theme goes, how about a Christmas ornament (lonestar, boot, etc.) or some cookie cutters or something along those lines? Just what jumped into my head...
Hi A.,
i hope this helps....we decorated my sons room in a "texas cowboy" theme..i found A LOT of really neat things at the antique mall off of 121/35...where chili's used to be... think its in the same shopping center of Pancho's now (in lewisville). There are tons of texas things...go all the way to the rt side when you walk in ...kind of in the back but you really should walk around the whole store b/c you can find all sorts of things there!!!
S.
Hobby Lobby has some Texas cookie cutters and ice cube molds. Also, Texas flag bandanas. I sent a Texas theme Christmas ornament gift to someone with these things and some Texas ornaments. You could include some cocktail recipes to go with the ice cubes and a favorite cookie recipe for the cookie cutters.
