From the home chef who has it all, to your uncle who just learned what a kohlrabi is, we've scoured every corner of our fair town of Austin to bring you the ultimate shopping guide for your local-eatin’ loved ones. Keeping your dollars local this holiday season will not only support local businesses, but also will make for unique, quality, and thoughtful gifts to enjoy either on your plate or in the years to come.

So happy shopping, but most of all, happy holidays!

1. JBG Veggies... and More!

We couldn't make this list without putting some of our own farm gifts on it! This holiday we have more options than ever to bring some of the farm straight to your loved ones:

• CSA Gift Subscription: Choose from one week to a full year of organic JBG veggies, delivered! Our CSA gift subscriptions are flexible and easy to redeem, plus you'll get to reap the benefits as well when you get invited over for that delicious home cooked meal!
• Market Bucks: Not sure what they want? Market Bucks are a fail-safe way to make sure your recipient gets exactly what they need. These can be used to buy veggies at market, on JBG merchandise, or they can save them in preparation for our Spring Transplant Sale to get their own backyard garden rockin' this spring!
• Sponsored Shares: Giving a gift in someone's name might be the coolest way to support local businesses, local nonprofits, and the giving spirit this holiday. Donated produce shares go directly to The Settlement Home and SafePlace. These donations help feed Texan children and young adults with histories of trauma and abuse. Each donated share comes with a handwritten card from our farmer, notifying the recipient of their gift and thanking them.
• Holiday on the Farm: Give someone an experience, and snag them tickets to our December 10th Holiday on the Farm Event. Perfect for the kiddos and families on your list. We’re screening How the Grinch Stole Christmas right on the farm! There will be hot chocolate, hay rides, and a whole lot more.
• Have a family friend who loves citrus? Give the gift of some vitamin C! 

Photo by Scott David Gordon.

2. Cooking Classes Galore!

Have a friend who wants to delve deeper into a certain style of cooking? Gift someone the chance to expand their culinary arsenal.

• Kitchen Underground - A collective of all kinds of foodies, check out their menu of assorted classes here. You will find yourself not only acquiring new skills, but also new cooking comrades... all taking place in authentic and intimate spaces. We’ve had our eyes on the bread-making class for a long time.
• Dai Due’s New School of Traditional Cookery - This exquisite restaurant offers a range of classes that focus on wild game, whether you want to learn about hunting and processing or you just want to learn the finer points of cooking a gosh darn delicious flank of steak. Check out all the varied syllabi here.

 

One spot left for Bread Baking w @maggiecperkins tomorrow night!! Link in profile for class! #austineats #cookingclass #eatlocal #breadbaking

A photo posted by Kitchen Underground (@kitchen_underground) on Oct 17, 2016 at 10:07am PDT

3. Locally Purveyed Goodness

If you're anything like us, you LOVE to try new goodies from Austin's creative food artisans. Why not spread some love with some preserves from Stephanie at Confituras, spice up a conversation with some hot sauce from Yellowbird, or pack a probiotic punch with a bottle of Hat Creek Pickles? Once the overwhelmingly delectable tastes of locally artisanal treats wash over them, they'll thank you.

Photo from Hat Creek Provisions.

4. Dreamy Kitchen Tools for the Home Chef

Have a friend who loves design just as much as hosting a locally sourced dinner party? These two suggestions below are sure to please.

• Kettle & Brine - A locally owned kitchen boutique catered to the consumer whose love for good design is rivaled only by their deep-seated love of food. Visit their beautifully curated store, and you will definitely come home with something for your chef-friend. Peruse their gift gallery here.
• Work by Nonny - Amanda Rivera creates elegant and uncommon pieces from vases to tumblers. Perfect adornments for your kitchen table. Check her work out here.

Photo courtesy of Kettle & Brine.

5. Holiday Libations? Yes, Please.

Living in Austin has infinite perks, one of which is the diverse spread of local craft breweries and distilleries. Treat a friend to bottle of Waterloo Gin, or better yet, a day trip to Treaty Oak Distilling’s picturesque ranch, where you can explore their wide-ranging menu of high-quality spirits. They usually have live music and delectable bites to boot. While you’re out on Fitzhugh Road, you might as well extend the visit to include the inimitable Jester King Brewery as well! You won't regret it!

Rather stay in town? Grab a gift card from ABGB. They sling some of the most delicious pizza in town with GABF award-winning beers to wash it down… not to mention, they are some of the nicest people we know.

Photo from Treaty Oak Distilling.

6. The Finer Things in Life: Plants

A leafy friend is always the best friend, or at least that’s what our crazy plant lady buddy always tells us. Lose yourself in the verdant nurseries below, browsing the oasis of perennials, tropicals, succulents, herbs, vegetables and fruit trees! On top of the plethora of plants, they have an abundance of soils, all sizes of pots, watering cans, and smiles all around.

• Tillery Street Plant Co.
• Shoal Creek Nursery
• The Great Outdoors

New houseplants waiting for you! Including Fiddle Leaf Figs- and these things sell fast!!

A photo posted by Tillery Street Plant Company (@tillerystplantco) on Sep 30, 2016 at 3:55pm PDT

7. All Things Callahan’s

We can't help ourselves, we live and breathe the family-owned and Austin legend, Callahan’s General Store. It’s got quite literally everything. We know because they are our down-the-street neighbors! Check 'em out after you volunteer with us!

• Canning Supplies - they've got everything you or a friend need to get start preserving at home! While you’re at it, check out their houseware section for all kinds of holiday gift ideas!
• Cookbooks Galore - Don’t know how to make preserves? Don’t fret, grab a book on preserving from their extensive selection of cookbooks!
• Western Wear - Have an uncle who loves cowboy hats and boots? An aunt who has an affinity for pearl snaps and bedazzled belts? Look no further, Callahan’s clothing section has you covered.
• Baby Chicks? Goats? Pigs? Bunnies? - Got an animal lover in the family? Head on over and check out all the different breeds of animals, they have quite the selection.

Photo courtesy of Callahan's.

8. Giving Back to the Community!

Feeling the need to give back to the community this holiday season? We salute you, and have a couple of suggestions if you are more inclined to donate to local farms.

• Urban Roots
• Farmshare Austin
• JBG’s Sponsored Share Program
• Green Corn Project
• On the eve of Giving Tuesday, the Chronicle made an awesome guide to giving in our community, check it out in it’s entirety here and get involved!

Photo by Scott David Gordon.

9. All About the Hats!

If you are looking for the perfect cap for your hat-crazed friend, look no further!

• The newest hat from our favorite graphic designers, Land. Man, are they talented! Check out their other work, too, while you’re at it.
• Avid sports fan? Country music aficionado? You want your headgear to reflect your awesome tastes? Check out some vintage caps from Hats What She Said or Waterboy Vintage! Peruse their many varied, blast-from-the-past head wear…
• Make a farm-fresh statement and grab one of our JBG caps! It's a great addition to anyone's wardrobe.

Photo by Scott David Gordon.

10. Pig Out and Work Out!

If you or your loved ones are already feeling the holiday libations and savory provisions weighing you down, relish in the festivities now and give the gift of post-holiday fitness in the New Year.

• Rogue Running Training Programs - Whether you’ve never run before or you've finished a handful of marathons, Rogue offers many different training programs curated for every type of runner. Dust off your running shoes and check out all the different options here. If you’re running with friends, you have someone to keep you accountable on your fitness goals, too!
• Yoga with Adriene - Have a friend who prefers a more low impact workout? Give the gift of a home yoga practice with stellar Austinite yogi, Adriene Mishler. She has hundreds of videos catered to every mood and body ailment you can imagine. Some of our farm folks swear by this gal and her healing routines. While you can find most of her videos online for free, if you join the YWA community there are perks like a library of exclusive members-only classes, and an online forum where you can connect with other yogis!

Hills for breakfast! #austinrunning #instarunners #roguerunning #TeamRogue #runcrew #runculture ? @beingcate

A photo posted by Rogue Running (@roguerunning) on Jul 22, 2016 at 7:32am PDT

We hope this guide helps you navigate this holiday season with ease! 'Til next time!