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    Get Gifting

    Check this list twice for holiday gift ideas you can only get in Texas

    CultureMap Create
    Nov 19, 2024 | 1:15 pm
    Presents

    Make it a wrap on holiday shopping.

    Photo by Elena Noviello/Getty

    It's time to get a jump on your holiday shopping, and you probably have a varied list of tastes, budgets, and interests to accommodate.

    This gift guide takes all that into account, with a wide range of suggestions for an even wider range of friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, babysitters, pet sitters, tutors ... well, you get the idea.

    From festive experiences to cozy clothing, the best presents are right here. You might even finish your shopping early this year, which is perhaps the best present of all.

    Rodeo Uncorked winePhoto courtesy of Rodeo Uncorked

    2025 Rodeo Uncorked! Collector’s Case
    Make an oenophile's year with this curated collection of award-winning wines, all packaged in a commemorative, branded wood box.

    The 12 selected bottles are chosen from the 2025 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition, an annual event before the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo that attracts the best wine producers globally, making the selection process a true testament to the quality of wines presented. The panel of esteemed judges — composed of industry experts, winemakers, and connoisseurs — rigorously evaluate a wide range of wines across a bevy of categories including red, white, sparkling, and more.

    The box is priced at $650, $300 of which is a tax-deductible donation to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, supporting the youth of Texas. The Collector's Case is on a first come, first serve basis, with pick-up dates and times communicated at the end of January.

    Camp Aspen sweartshirtPhoto courtesy of Camp Aspen

    Camp Aspen elevated loungewear
    Aspen is where scenic majesty is bookended by frozen winter wonderlands and sun-dappled summers; townie charms easily intersect with fabulous global luxury; mountain purity meets playful debauchery; and adventure junkies hobnob with opulence connoisseurs.

    But the place with almost everything was, until recently, missing one special something: a premium and playful lifestyle brand to celebrate the destination year-round. Hence, Camp Aspen elevated loungewear, co-founded by Houston siblings Maidie and Patrick Ryan.

    Camp Aspen elevated loungewear is designed to embody the spirit of this timelessly cool Colorado destination while playing into the whimsical nostalgia of sleepaway camps so deeply rooted within a sizable Texan contingent that has now made Aspen its home away from home.

    Its Range collection nods to an iconic way to get around Aspen. The Range crewneck sweatshirt, in particular, has twice sold out online, so with this latest restock the brand enhanced its desirability even further. It has been luxuriously upgraded with a sleeker logo patch on the back and a more indulgent, 100-percent cotton fabrication. Available in Aspen green (obvi), summit white, and the new midnight blue.

    Holiday espresso martiniPhoto courtesy of Valencia Hotel Collection

    Valencia Hotel Collection Holiday Packages
    Make this season truly unique with two exclusive packages crafted to bring a touch of holiday magic to your stay. Experience the charm of the boutique hotels located in Austin, College Station, Las Colinas, Lubbock, and San Antonio, each offering a distinctive blend of luxury, style, and warm hospitality.

    The Holiday Sweets package invites you to relax in luxurious guest room accommodations and savor two praline-infused signature holiday cocktails or mocktails, perfect for setting a festive mood.

    For a more indulgent experience, The Sweet Holiday Escape package includes guest room accommodations, a delightful holiday breakfast at the hotel restaurant, and two praline-infused cocktails or mocktails to make your stay even sweeter.

    Whether you’re looking for a festive retreat or a cozy getaway, these packages offer the perfect blend of seasonal warmth and luxury in the inviting atmosphere of these boutique hotels. Celebrate the season in style and book your holiday escape today.

    Elevate your holiday gifting with the luxury of Valencia Hotel Collection. Choose eGift cards for memorable stays or shop Valencia at Home for signature scent candles and sprays, bedding, and more.

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    Sobering statistic

    Texas ranks as one of the deadliest states for New Year’s crashes

    John Egan
    Dec 31, 2025 | 12:00 pm
    Police lights
    Courtesy
    Be sure to arrange a safe ride home on New Year's Eve.

    At more than 314,000 miles, Texas boasts the largest system of public roads among the 50 states. It also holds the unfortunate distinction of being one of the deadliest states for New Year’s car accidents.

    An analysis of 2014-2023 traffic data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows Texas is the ninth worst state for traffic deaths on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

    During the 10-year period covered by the analysis, commissioned by AutoAccident.com, Texas tallied 280 traffic deaths on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day — the highest total of any state. The 280-person toll in Texas works out to 9.61 deaths per one million residents, a rate that’s 37 percent above the national average of 6.99 deaths per one million residents.

    The analysis reveals that nearly three-fourths (64 percent) of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day traffic deaths in Texas were drivers, nearly one-fifth (19 percent) were pedestrians, and 16 percent were passengers.

    “New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous nights on American roads,” says Edward Smith, managing attorney at AutoAccident.com, a personal injury law firm.

    “With impaired driving incidents spiking during holiday celebrations, every driver has a responsibility to make smart choices that protect themselves and others sharing the road,” Smith adds. “Even in states with strong safety records, one preventable death is too many.”

    According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), more than 2,000 drunk driving-related crashes happened during the 2024 holiday season. Last year, December ranked as the No. 1 month in Texas for wrecks caused by drunk drivers.

    “The holidays are a wonderful time to be with family, and yet they can also be a painful reminder for those who have lost loved ones to preventable crashes,” says Marc Williams, executive director of TxDOT. “Let’s make a new holiday tradition to drive like a Texan: kind, courteous, and safe. That means always getting a sober ride.”

    TxDOT offers these four tips for staying safe on the roads as the calendar switches from 2025 to 2026:

    1. Designate a sober driver before the celebrations start.
    2. Ask a sober relative or friend to pick you up if you’re too tipsy to drive.
    3. Use public transit or rideshare services.
    4. Stay off the roads until you’ve sobered up.
    traffic fatalitiescrimeholidaysnew year's daynew years evetraffic
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