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

Hemp news

Texas cannabis businesses sue state to block ban on smokeable hemp

Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis on Unsplash

Texas is cracking down on smokeable hemp.

Texas hemp industry leaders and advocacy groups have sued the state to block new regulations that eliminate natural smokeable hemp products and increase licensing fees.

The Texas Hemp Business Council, Hemp Industry & Farmers of America, and several Texas-based dispensaries and manufacturers filed for a temporary restraining order in state district court in Travis County against the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission on Tuesday, April 6. They argue that the agencies have overstepped their constitutional authority by rewriting the statutory definitions of hemp established by lawmakers in 2019.

“Under current Texas law, hemp is defined by its delta-9 THC concentration of not more than 0.3 percent,” said David Sergi, an attorney for the hemp coalition, in a press release. “These Texas officials and state agencies are clearly attempting to create new law in direct contradiction to what the Texas legislature intended.”

The background
Even though Texas law bans marijuana, lawmakers legalized hemp in 2019. State law defines hemp as containing less than 0.3 percent levels of intoxicating Delta-9 THC.

To get around the law’s Delta-9 THC restrictions, manufacturers started cultivating hemp plants with another type of THC, called THCA, that, when ignited in a joint or smokeable product, can produce a high. Many lawmakers have said this legal loophole has allowed a recreational THC market to appear overnight without direct approval from the state.

Last year, the Texas Legislature voted to ban the products out of fear that these intoxicating products were consistently getting into the hands of children. But, Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed the decision last summer, before asking the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and DSHS to increase regulations on the industry instead.

The Texas Department of State Health Services released regulations on consumable hemp-derived THC products that went into effect on March 31. These new regulations include child-resistant packaging, a significant increase in licensing fees, new labeling, testing, and bookkeeping requirements. The rules also codify the legal purchasing age to 21, which went into effect last year as an emergency directive.

Why the hemp industry sued
Also under the new rules, laboratories tests now measure the total amount of any THC in a product. If the THC levels exceed the 0.3 percent threshold, even if it’s only activated upon being smoked, the product will be noncompliant under state regulations. As a result, some of the most popular hemp products, like THCA flower and pre-rolled joints, have been banned.

Hemp businesses caught selling noncompliant products face a range of penalties and fines, including license revocation and up to $10,000 in violation fees for each day these products were sold in stores.

“An administrative agency may not substitute its own policy judgment for the outcome produced by the constitutional lawmaking process,” the lawsuit states. “The Texas Constitution vests legislative power in the Legislature, not administrative agencies.”

Retailers cannot sell hemp to out-of-state customers either.

The rules also increase licensing fees for manufacturers of hemp-derived THC from $258 to $10,000 per facility and retail registrations from $155 to $5,000, which industry leaders say will fulfill the ban by forcing businesses to close. The hemp business community’s lawsuit is not challenging the other new regulations, including the age verification or ones they say protect consumers.

“Texas hemp businesses wholeheartedly support those regulations, as they fall within the agency’s authority,” said Sergi. “We are seeking to halt rules that would effectively end the in-state production of hemp and the sale of hemp products — items the Legislature chose not to ban during recent legislative and special sessions.”

What the state says
Concerns about the safety of these high-THC products among youth led lawmakers to attempt to ban hemp-derived THC products outright last year. While the overall ban didn’t succeed, lawmakers successfully banned vape pens containing THC and other hemp-derived intoxicating chemicals.

Data provided from the Texas Poison Center Network confirms a sharp increase in cannabis-related poisoning calls starting in 2019, a year after hemp-derived THC was legalized by the federal government, from 923 to a 10-year high of 2,592 in 2024. Calls climbed to 2,669 last year. The majority of these calls involve suspected poisoning of children under the age of five and teenagers.

Drug policy experts said these numbers seem alarming, but it is natural for poisoning calls to increase when a drug has become legalized, and the data needs additional context before making conclusions from it.

Jennifer Ruffcorn, spokesperson for HHSC, directed questions about the lawsuit and what it means for the new hemp regulations to DSHS.

Lara Anton, spokesperson for DSHS, declined to comment on pending litigation.

What’s next
The hemp industry’s battle to stay alive in Texas started back in 2021 when the state health agency classified any amount of a natural intoxicating hemp compound called delta-8 THC as illegal. The hemp industry sued the state over its ban on delta-8 and the Texas Supreme Court is expected to consider the case this year.

The delta-8 lawsuit will have an impact on the outcome of the most recent lawsuit over the smokeable hemp ban because both lawsuits challenge the authority of a state health agency to make changes to the market without approval from lawmakers or the public.

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This story was originally published by The Texas Tribune and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

marijuana lawsuit cannabis

Merry Gifting

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

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Texas cannabis businesses sue state to block ban on smokeable hemp

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