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Last-Minute Clutter-Free Gifts: Thoughtful Holiday Presents without the Mess!

Shopping for gifts is hard, especially if the receiver seemingly has it all. Why not try a clutter free gift from Austin TX this year? These experiences will make great memories, are an excellent last minute option, and won’t get lost in the back of a closet. And bonus, you’ll support a small business instead of Amazon! 

For the animal lovers in your life, there are a number of experiences 
  • Texas Trail Rides: Located in S Austin, this ranch offers a range of ranch-related activities, such as horseback trail riding, skeet shooting, fishing, ATV tours, archery, ax throwing, and trick roping, to name a few!
  • Pioneer Farms: A 90 acre living history farm that gives a taste of life in the 1800s. There’s farm animals and Texas history, and general admission is only $8, so it’s an excellent budget gift option.
  • AirBnb Experiences: Airbnb isn’t just for lodging anymore! Their Experiences allow people to share a variety of expertise/talent, such as kayaking at sunset to see the bats, cuddling with goats, beekeeping, or creating perfume, to name a few.

For the crafty person:
  • Upstairs Circus: This DIY workshop offers a range of crafts to work on in the space, along with a full bar so you can grab a drink while you work! They offer gift cards or you can rent the whole space out to have an event/big group.
  • BlueMoon Glassworks: This glass shop has been open for over 20 years, and offers a variety of classes: stained glass, fused glass, glass beadmaking, glass mosaics, and more! They offer classes that are open to the public, or you can make a private reservation.
  • Woodcraft: A woodworking shop with classes for the beginner to make a cutting board to an intermediate chair. A gift card can be used on any of their classes or for woodworking supplies.
  • The Contemporary: Their Art School offers classes in a variety of art mediums: metalworking, photography, drawing, weaving, wheel throwing, and more. The classes are at varying times of day/differing days and they offer weekend workshops as well.

For the foodie:
  • Make it Sweet: Perfect if the gift recipient has been wanting to learn how to make anything sweet: truffles, cake making and decorating, cookie decorating/bouquets, breads, pastries, and so much more! The perfect gift for someone who’s always been tempted to go to culinary school but hasn’t (yet, perhaps!)
  • Thai Fresh: For Thai cooking classes! Learn how to make all your Thai favorites either in small public groups or in a private class.
  • Faraday’s Kitchen Store: The Cooking School offers demonstrations and hands-on cooking classes for adults, and camps for kids. The classes do change with the seasons and sell out fast, so act quickly if you see one you like!
  • Let’s Eat Austin: Offers the same classes weekly, from a Sunday brunch where you learn to make Southern fried chicken and biscuits to a sushi dinner class.
  • Greater Goods Coffee Co: Perfect for the coffee lover in your life: they can learn how to roast beans, make latte art, taste 10+ different coffees, or explore the aromas in coffee. Public classes are available online, and private or custom classes are also available.
For the person who likes to be pampered:
  • Viva Day Spa: They offer an array of packages from 2 hours or less to all day, with pretty much any spa treatment you could want. Viva has three locations across Austin and has been named the “Best Spa Package” in Austin Monthly Magazine.
  • Mani Toes Nail Bar and Mobile Spa: Shopping for someone who loves the spa, but loves staying home even more? Mani Toes brings manicures/pedicures and massage straight to one’s door!
  • The Austin Artisan: This personal chef company offers luxury in-home dining services (from a romantic dinner for two to a family reunion dinner) but also offers prepared meal delivery. The food changes with the seasons, and they use as many locally sourced ingredients as possible.
  • Austin Onsite Acupuncture: Offering herbal nutritional therapy, acupuncture, cupping and gua sha, either in the office or onsite in your home. AOA is highly knowledgeable in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and works with most insurance companies.

Hopefully these suggestions help as you make your way through your gift list! And keep in mind Queen of To Do can help with finding more clutter free or traditional gift ideas; you don’t have to do it alone this holiday season. 
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