The holidays are approaching and many of us have friends or loved ones who’ve moved away from Texas.
It sucks, right? Feels like they’re a million miles away? They probably miss you, too, buddy.
For those who’ve had to trade the Lone Star State’s natural beauty for places where strangers don’t hold doors or say “fixin’ to,” the holidays can be a cruel reminder of all they’re missing.
Don’t fret. We’ve whipped up a gift guide that’ll bring a taste of home to your far-flung kinfolk, including the most iconic Texas brands that will bring a smile to their traitorous faces.
This one’s a no-brainer. Whataburger’s Spicy Ketchup isn’t just a condiment — it’s a cultural phenomenon. We swear by its tangy heat that elevates everything from fries to breakfast taquitos. It’s the kind of sauce that’s worth smuggling across state lines. And maybe pick up a tumbler too, which sports the famous Whataburger design.
H-E-B Butter Tortilla Scented Candle
The H-E-B grocery chain is our true pride and joy, and it’s impossible to think about stepping inside a store without imagining the wafting goodness of their tortillas. Luckily, you can drive your out-of-town friends and loved ones crazy with a candle that recreates that mouth-watering scent. Go ahead, be cruel.
Texas is full of icons, and the bluebonnet is right up there in our Mount Rushmore. Nothing says “Springtime” quite like driving by a highway median festooned with those colorful indigo blooms. Pick up some seeds from the Hill Country’s Wildseed Farms and let your loved ones have a little dash of Texas color in their lives.
Gourmet Soda from Dublin Bottling Works
The historic Dublin Bottling Works is a Texas legend, in all the best ways. The town in Erath County housed the first facility to bottle Dr Pepper, as well as the first bottling plant in Texas, period. They still sell a fantastic variety of sodas, including the original recipe from 1891.
Beef Jerky from Prasek’s Family Smokehouse
This being Texas, we had to put some meat in here, and beef jerky from the beloved Prasek’s Family Smokehouse in Sealy fits the bill perfectly. They’ve been dishing out barbecue since the 70s, and the business is still run by the Prasek family. You can order jerky made from aged beef, turkey, New Zealand venison, or American Bison. Nothing beats a good piece of jerky, and your friends will immediately miss how good they used to have it.
Candy from Alamo Candy Company
Who doesn’t like candy? Nobody we want to be associated with, that’s who. San Antonio’s renowned Alamo Candy Company has a fantastic assortment of American, Mexican, and Chinese candies. These are perfect for reminding your loved ones how awesomely diverse Texas is.
Houston is known as Space City for a reason — the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is a major NASA facility. And a rock-solid gift idea is some merch from NASA’s online store, reminding your friends that in Texas, we are good at science stuff, too.
You probably knew this, but “Don’t Mess With Texas” was an anti-littering slogan from the 80s that quickly took the state (and everywhere else) by storm. The campaign saved our state millions of dollars in annual litter clean-up costs — and it was good for the environment. Nothing exemplifies our attitude more than these four words. Get your friend some socks or a t-shirt, and let them show their irascible state pride everywhere.
An Ornament from the Texas Capitol
Say what you will about the clownery in our state government, but we sell some really lovely ornaments. And they have a new one every year, which means you can be lazy and give one every year to that mid-tier friend (or family member)! Just kidding, they’re worth it, and they’re a good symbol of the state we call home.
The Barbed Wire Brisket-Scented Bumper Sticker
Ok, we had to throw in something from our own store. Does this sticker actually smell like brisket? No, we’re not that rich. But do us a solid and get one anyway.
