I was wanting to send some Islander friends a all things Texas gift box. They have three sons. Perhaps 11 and 8 and under a year. I was thinking about Pecans, Dr. Pepper, and chico sticks. But after that I cannot think of fun things that the family would enjoy that was all about Texas. I will be shipping it so smaller is better. I might have to skip on the DP. But its very texan. Perhaps there is a great book ??? Gimmie some ideas mommas and pappas!
While I am getting some great responces I am looking for something past the silly mug. Something like a scorpion paperweight or something awesome. I love the book suggestions and of course Texas Monthly. Looking for things all about Texas...pecans are the native tree, and the blue bonnet the state flower. Or even a list of all the festivals that take place. Thanks for the help keep these great ideas pumping.
You have some great suggestions.
Some other possibilities:
TexMex spices like cilantro, cumin or those El Paso packets. I have a Texas flag stained glass that I love.
Texas shaped Tortilla Chips from HEB.. Lammes Chewy Pralines.. Postcards, HEB and Walgreens sell them, Herdez hot sauce in the small cans.
Book~ Hank the Cow Dog.. by John Erikkson.. Start with the first book.. it is hilarious. Texas Monthly for the parents.
I have a friend in Belfast Northern Ireland.. She is addicted to DP.. When she finds it over there, she completely purchases as much as possible.
I sent my friend from Alaska a Texas gift box. I put in a Texas cookbook, some hot sauce, some of those horse shoes that you have to try to figure out how to get apart, some little games that I got in the Stockyards, and some pecans (like you suggested). She sent me a care package from Alaska, too. It was really fun for us, and for our kids! :)
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/08/50_best_t...
Ok, it did the link for me. There was a post on my facebook feed from a friend that was "50 things that make TX the best state"...so I just googled & got the above result.
"Don't mess with TX" bumper sticker, post cards. Do you have a Texas store @ your mall?
HTH, a fellow Texan
edited to add: you could also send a blank sheet of paper -- to symbolize our lack of state income tax (?)
Stuffed armadillo toys. Anything with cowboy boots or hats. Texas-shaped pretzels or corn chips, salsa, prickly pear jelly.
What are chico sticks?
I'm a Texas girl and I keep tellin my family the best gifts they could send me is anything that has HOME on it - anything TEXAS. When I go back to visit, I buy mugs, key chains, shirts - I'm such a HOME tourist~~ oo Pecan Roll - LOVE IT... definitely hot sauce, Now, if someone could PUH"LEZZZZZZ send me some Jack in the box tacos - I would love you forever!!! (we don't have them in florida :( )
Bottle of BBQ sauce
anything with Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavs, Texas Rangers, Aggies, Longhorns. - Bumper stickers, keychains, penants, tshirts
Something with Cowboy hats and boots, like stickers or something
Postcard from Texas. Actually if you go to the front middle of the store at Walmart, they have all sorts of Texas postcards, books, shot glasses, keychains, eyc.
Go to the website for Fort Worth Stockyards for more ideas.
Bottle of hot sauce. Any level, any flavor.
They have these books like "How to talk like a Texan" or "Weird Texas Trivia".
Go to one of the TX stores that are usually in the mall. Texas Treasures. I think they are online as well.
They have really cute TX things... noodles, pralines, hot sauces, etc
texas shaped ice cubes? There's a little section by the check-out at Hobby Lobby that's all Texas stuff. I think ice cube trays are there.
HEB and probably other places sell DR Pepper BBQ sauce.
I have also seen Dr. Pepper jelly bellys at a Tractor Supply endcap of all places. And some gas stations.
Also at HEB I saw a book ($20) by the check-out stand that was all about Texas sites with great colorful pictures on each page.
I once bought my friend (in Rhode Island)'s daughters each an armadillo stuffed animal. (They were born in Texas). They loved it, esp b/c they were at the age when they were reading "But not the Hippopotamus" by Sandra Boynton where the end of the book says "But not the armadillo."
What about a packet of bluebonnet seeds?
Does Bluebell sell Freeze Dried Bluebell? Not quite the same, but it'd be unique to say the least.
How big are HEB's in your city? In San Antonio there's an HEB on every corner, so I might get them HEB brand stuff/candy and/or a couple of reuseable grocery bags with HEB and Texas shape on them.
Beef Brisket!!
http://www.amazon.com/Pemmican-Premium-Mesquite-Brisket-3...
Amazon has a ton of Texas based items.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3...
I don't think of pecans or chico sticks as Texan. Though I do live in TX, and oddly enough have a pecan tree in my yard, lol!
Blue Bell ice cream is Texan. You can't send ice cream, (well, you could but it would be expensive to ship it since it would have to be protected and shipped internationally) but you can probably get a cute Blue Bell ice cream key chain or something and include it in the box.
Oh, my friend makes these amazing pies in Texas, she has Texas shaped gift sets you can purchase and have them shipped to your friends. One even includes a homemade pecan pie. They are a legit family run restaurant and delish by the way:
http://www.scrumbscious.com/
(I'm Hawaiian born, so I'd be begging those islander friends for some chocolate covered macadamia nuts :)
