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.

Facial recovery oil Photo courtesy of Tulum Wellness Spa

Eminence Organic Facial Recovery Oil from Tulum Wellness Spa
A toning and hydrating oil created with precious herbs to soothe and renew sensitive and aging skin. Made with Biodynamic ingredients from Demeter International Certified Biodynamic farms. This luxurious facial oil is suitable for all skin types, and you can purchase it at Tulum Wellness Spa.

Let the smell of copal and palo santo transport you away from Houston — even if just for a few hours — and into the restorative mindset of Tulum, Mexico. Services are customized to treat your unique, individual needs by a team that averages 15 years of experience. Each person, product, and service is intentionally chosen to bring natural solutions and scientific advancements to both men and women. Shop the Black Friday sale, happening November 17-18.

shopping holidays promoted

Camp Mystic News

Camp Mystic proposes selling property as part of bankruptcy plan

Camp Mystic Files For Bankruptcy As First Anniversary Of Deadly Floods Approaches

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Ribbons honor Camp Mystic flood victims and families.

The owners of Camp Mystic have proposed selling off the riverfront property as part of a bankruptcy plan, with hopes that a buyer will preserve the camp's “historic mission” following the death of 27 campers and counselors swept away by a 2025 flood.

The century-old private Christian girls' camp filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan on September 25 that would auction off the 749 acres (3 square kilometers) it owns and other assets.

The sprawling campus, nestled among rolling wooded hills on the banks of the Guadalupe River, had several single-story cabins that housed some of the youngest campers and a recreation hall near the riverfront. A second campus on elevated ground was not flooded.

The Eastland family has owned the camp for decades and initially sought to reopen this summer. But they faced fierce opposition from victims’ families and some state lawmakers, lawsuits, and legislative investigations into what went wrong.

A buyer would likely get a portion of the camp frozen in time. Families of the victims have fought to stop any demolition of damaged cabins and buildings and stop repairs as part of their lawsuits.

The bankruptcy plan said the owners expect a purchaser would be backed by a group of families that support the camp.

“Nothing in the plan requires any buyer to operate the property as a camp,” the filing said, “but the plan states an express preference, in determining the highest or otherwise best bid, for a buyer that will maintain the historic mission of the camp.”

Twenty-five campers and two counselors were killed when the river surged over its banks in the pre-dawn hours of July 4, 2025. Camp owner and director Richard Eastland was also killed. At least 136 people were killed along a several-mile stretch of the river.

Earlier this month, state police investigators sought search warrants for the electronic communications of the camp's owners, saying they could provide evidence of manslaughter, negligent homicide, child abandonment, or other crimes.

No charges have been brought.

A probe by state lawmakers determined the camp’s young and inexperienced counselors were not trained for floods and other emergencies. It said an earlier decision to evacuate could have saved every life. Most of the victims were under age 10, and some were attending camp for the first time.

The camp's bankruptcy proposal would have to be approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. Lopez. Officials with Camp Mystic did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Monday.

All creditors, including the families who have sued Camp Mystic over the deaths, will have a chance to respond to the plan.

“The Eastlands are now attempting to determine the future of the Camp Mystic property, but the victims' families including my clients, will fight to protect their rights and ensure any sale is fair and transparent,” said Tim Ferguson, attorney for the family of 8-year-old Mary Grace Baker, one of the campers who died.

“The Bakers intend to continue fighting for answers, accountability and justice for their daughter,” Ferguson said.

bankruptcy chapter 11 deaths eastland family guadalupe river richard eastland texas flood victims families negligent homicide for sale real estate hill country campers killed camp mystic flood

Merry Gifting

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

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