Merry Gifting

Still need gift ideas this holiday season? Check out this list.

Start checking off your list.

Photo by Kseniya Ovchinnikova/Getty

Whether they snuck up on you or you've been planning for months, the holidays are here. And with all the festive celebration comes plenty of gift-giving for a wide range of folks — need ideas?

From high-tech gadgets to spirits guaranteed to make you feel merry and bright, all the best presents are right here. You might even finish your shopping early this year, which is perhaps the best present of all.

Garrison Brothers bourbon Photo courtesy of Garrison Brothers Distillery

Garrison Brothers Distillery Texas Small Batch Bourbon
Give the holiday gift of hand-crafted boldness. Garrison Brothers bourbon is rich, smooth, and overflowing with quality, and always makes a great holiday gift for friends and family — or yourself.

Located in the Texas Hill Country, Garrison Brothers is the first legal bourbon distillery in Texas history and is one of the first distilleries in America outside of Kentucky to produce authentic, handmade bourbon whiskey — and only bourbon whiskey. They currently have a waitlist of more than 15,000 just to volunteer on bottling days, and their Cowboy Bourbon normally sells out within hours of its release.

Every expression of Garrison Brothers bourbon is made from a sweet mash bill and barrel-aged in the intense Texas climate. The extreme heat creates multiple aging seasons in a year, resulting in a darker, richer, and fuller bourbon — bolder than almost any other bourbon on the market.

Ice Tubing at JW Marriott San Antonio Photo courtesy of JW Marriott San Antonio

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Experience a Hill Country Christmas at JW Marriott San Antonio. Explore new holiday attractions this year at The Snow Factory. Enjoy ice tubing at Snow Flow Mountain and let snowballs fly at the Snowball Build & Blast.

Open to the public and resort guests, bring the family and get into the holiday spirit November 11 through New Year’s Eve. Book your stay now and use promo code CULTUREMAP23 for a special discount on tickets to Snow Flow Mountain. Blackout dates may apply.

Cameras and accessories Photo courtesy of Gadjit

Gadjit cameras and accessories
Gift the joy of photography with Gadjit, Texas' go-to online camera store. Discover an extensive selection of new, open-box, and used cameras and lenses, from modern digital to vintage analog. Gadjit stands out with a commitment to quality, underscored by a 90-day warranty, hassle-free returns, and worldwide shipping.

Benefit from their buyback program, as they offer cash back for your camera equipment. CultureMap readers enjoy a special discount with code CULTUREMAP. For expert advice, visit www.gadjit.net or call 832-304-1777.

Alto Photo courtesy of Alto

Alto annual membership
Give the gift of safer rides this holiday season. Alto is known for its remarkable ride experiences in branded luxury SUVs, driven by professional employee drivers. Every Alto ride includes thoughtful amenities like water bottles, chargers, and WiFi, plus you’re the DJ by selecting from curated playlists like the newly added Holiday Vibe. You can even turn on Do Not Disturb for a quiet ride.

An Alto annual membership makes the perfect gift for those who are always on the go, or in need of a special night out. Plus, it keeps on giving all year long. Annual members receive up to 30 percent savings on every Alto ride, access to prescheduled rides, and priority booking during busy times.

Beef Loving Texans gifts Photo courtesy of Beef Loving Texans

Beef Loving Texans
Celebrate one of the most delicious aspects of being Texan: our unequivocal love for beef. Whether it's through our rustic cattle heritage or our love for the perfectly smoked brisket, Texans are proud to tout their love for beef. This holiday season, Beef Loving Texans curated a selection of Texan-inspired merchandise, from barbecue essentials to cheeky apparel, that showcases the Lone Star State's rich heritage and its deep-rooted love for all things beef.

Find unique holiday gifts, including beefy T-shirts, hats, barbecue supplies, and more. Mugs and tumblers are Yeti brand and made from durable, kitchen-grade stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation to protect your hot or cold beverages. Perfect for keeping your cocoa warm while ice skating or your drink cold while smoking your holiday roast! They're also puncture/rust resistant and dishwasher safe. The Brisket Trucker Hat is more than just an accessory; it's a declaration of love for the finest Texan barbecue. With its classic design, your gift recipient will wear their Texan pride front and center.

Beef Loving Texans is the consumer-facing brand of the Texas Beef Council, which supports the state’s beef industry through promotion, research, and education. Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate like a Texan this holiday season and share the Texas spirit with your loved ones.

Eiseman Jewels bracelet Photo courtesy of Eiseman Jewels

Pomellato jewelry from Eiseman Jewels
Just in time for the holidays, Eiseman Jewels welcomes the addition of the Pomellato collection. “Pomellato adds the best of artistic, wearable, bold, luxury Italian design to our collection,” remarks Richard D. Eiseman Jr, CEO of Eiseman Jewels. “The range of size, color palette, and form, along with exclusivity, complements our current offerings and aligns with our vision of the best of the best in jewelry and timepiece collections.”

The Pomellato collection at Eiseman includes the brand’s Iconica and Sabbia collections, as well as the brand’s signature Nudo collection, featuring an almost limitless combination of colored gemstones in an ever-growing rainbow array of hues. Visit us Monday – Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm at NorthPark Center to view the full collection.

Raising the Steaks book Photo courtesy of Nick & Sam's Steakhouse

Raising the Steaks book
Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse has been a Dallas staple for more than two decades, known for its famously Instagrammable food presentations, cuts of meat that can't be found anywhere else, and celebrity clientele. But what most people don’t know is the history of its long-time corporate chef, Samir Dhurandhar.

Now fans of the steakhouse will be able to follow Chef Samir's journey in his first book, Raising The Steaks. From growing up in India to moving to the States, where he met the world-famous Julia Child, to eventually leading Nick & Sam's, the James Beard Featured Chef gives aspiring cooks a glimpse into his life and recreates his special steakhouse and family recipes.

“Like me, Samir doesn’t have a lot of off time, and all his hard work has made him the playmaker at Nick & Sam’s. It’s my favorite restaurant, and I’m thankful for the creation of ‘The Luka’ ― everyone should try it. Like mine, his family helped pave his way, and it’s highlighted in his new book. I’m proud of Samir and all he’s accomplished.” -Luka Dončic, Dallas Mavericks

Local Favorite Restaurant holiday gift cards Photo courtesy of Local Favorite Restaurants

Local Favorite Restaurants
You can truly never go wrong with a gift card, especially when it’s for a tasty meal they can enjoy with family or friends. Now through December 31, 2023, receive a little something for yourself when you purchase gift cards to these restaurants:

Village Burger Bar
Twisted Root Burgers
Snuffer’s
La Ventana
MesoMaya
Jalisco
Tulum
Wok Star
Del Toro
El Fenix

Buy $25/get $5, buy $50/get $10, buy $100/get $20, and — for the last six restaurants — buy $200/get $40. Bounceback certificates are valid January 1, 2024 – February 29, 2024. Dine-in only. Gift cards can be purchased online or in-store.

Photo courtesy of Dallas Comedy Club

Dallas Comedy Club comedy classes
Throughout the month of November, comedy classes at Dallas Comedy Club are $100 off. Gain self-confidence, learn to trust your instincts, and make new like-minded friends!

Make 2024 your year with this all-month Black Friday sale. Use promo code NOVEMBER23 at check-out for $100 off any eight-week class.

Photo courtesy of The Las Colinas Resort, Dallas

The Las Colinas Resort, Dallas
Experience the most exclusive deal of the season this Black Friday at The Las Colinas Resort, Dallas. Receive a $200 resort credit and 30 percent savings on your entire stay when you book two or more nights this November 16 through November 29.

Ensure booking code TD1 is used when selecting your stay dates. While you're there, experience a sneak peek of The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, coming in early 2024.

Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Photo courtesy of Visit Plano

Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West
After a day of high-end holiday shopping at Legacy West, kick up your feet and put down your wares at the luxurious Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West, where guests are fully immersed in the hotel’s “West of Zen” culture.

Gorgeous artifacts are hidden away in every public corner, and the menus for both food and beverage offer a bold take on Asian fusion. Save on your stay this holiday season with packages available on the hotel’s website.

shopping holidays promoted

Pestilence News

New invasive pest in Texas is destroying grasses and pasture

TAMU

Mealyworm is small but damaging.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has issued an urgent alert to farmers to inspect their pastures for a newly detected and highly damaging pest: the pasture mealybug (Helicococcus summervillei).

According to a release from the Department of Agriculture (TDA), this invasive species, never before reported in North America, has been confirmed in multiple Texas counties and is already causing significant damage to pasture acreage across the southeast portion of the state.

The pasture mealybug causes “pasture dieback,” leaving expanding patches of yellowing, weakened, and ultimately dead turf.

This pest was first detected in Australia in 1928; its first detection in the Western Hemisphere occurred in the Caribbean between 2019 and 2020.

The TDA is working with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to coordinate a rapid response and protect Texas producers.

Mealybug history
Although the mealybug is just now being spotted, researchers suspect it may have been introduced before 2022.

Since mid-April 2025, southern Texas pasture and hay producers have been reporting problems in their fields. These fields show grass patches becoming brown or necrotic, or patches that are completely dead. Originally, it was presumed that symptoms were caused by another mealybug called the Rhodes grass mealybug, which has been reported in the U.S. since 1942. However, further investigations confirm that it's this new pasture mealybug (Heliococcus summervillei).

It has devastated millions of acres of grazing land in Australia and has since spread globally. Its rapid reproduction, hidden soil-level feeding, and broad host range make it a significant threat to pasture health and livestock operations.

MealybugTAMU

Adult females are approximately 2-5 mm long, covered in a white, waxy coating. They are capable of producing nearly 100 offspring within 24 hours, resulting in several generations per season. While adult females can live for up to 100 days, most damage is inflicted by the youngest nymphs, which feed on plant sap and inject toxic saliva that causes grass to yellow, weaken, and die.

“This is a completely new pest to our continent, and Texas is once again on the front lines,” Commissioner Miller says. “If the pasture mealybug spreads across Texas grazing lands like it has in eastern Australia, it could cost Texas agriculture dearly in lost productivity and reduced livestock capacity. TDA is working hand-in-hand with federal and university partners to respond swiftly and protect our producers from this unprecedented threat.”

Houston has a problem
The estimated impact area currently covers 20 counties, primarily in the Houston area, including: Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Refugio, Calhoun, Victoria, Goliad, Dewitt, Lavaca, Fayette, Jackson, Matagorda, Brazoria, Galveston, Wharton, Colorado, Austin, Washington, Burleson, Brazos, and Robertson. AgriLife entomologists have submitted a formal Pest Incident Worksheet documenting significant damage to pastures and hayfields in Victoria County.

Research trials are underway to determine the best integrated pest management options. Currently, there is no known effective labeled insecticide for pasture mealybug.

Affected plants include: Bermudagrass, Bahia grass, Johnsongrass, hay grazer (sorghum–sudangrass), St. Augustine grass, various bluestem species, and other tropical or subtropical grasses. Damage can occur in leaves, stems, and roots.

Symptoms:

Yellowing and discoloration of leaves within a week of infestation
Purpling or reddening of foliage
Stunted growth and drought stress despite rainfall
Poorly developed root systems
Dieback starting at leaf tips and progressing downward
Premature aging, making plants more vulnerable to pathogens

How to spot it

Scout regularly for mealybugs on grass leaves, stems, soil surface, leaf litter, and under cow patties
Focus on unmanaged areas such as fence lines, ungrazed patches, and roadsides
Look for fluffy, white, waxy, or “fuzzy” insects on blades and stems
If plants appear unhealthy and insects match this description, investigate further

“Early identification is critical, and we need every producer’s eyes on the ground,” Commissioner Miller added. “We are working diligently with our federal and state partners to determine how to best combat this novel threat and stop it in its tracks.”

If you observe suspicious symptoms or insects matching the descriptions above, contact TDA at 1-800-TELL-TDA immediately.

nature

Merry Gifting

Still need gift ideas this holiday season? Check out this list.

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