Editor's note: Looking for unique, Austiny gifts this season? CultureMap has you covered. For our next installment, we try and get into the heads of Austin teenagers and figure out what they would like this holiday season.
As a former South Austin teen, I can testify that there once wasn’t much on offer south of William Cannon Drive. Now, South Austin teens are replete with options — and harder to please than ever. But maybe with one of these items, you can make them happy. Or at least happyish.
Makeover
Blo - Blow Dry Bar, prices vary
Prom may be months away, but that doesn’t mean your teen isn’t thinking about the big day. Help her pre-plan for the occasion with an appointment at this luxe locale, where she can choose from a variety of red-carpet-ready looks such as the Holly Would, the High Society and the Pillow Talk.
Austin City Limits Tote Bag
ACL Live Website, $15
Carrying around those pesky textbooks will be a little bit cooler with this tote designed by local artist Austin Kleon. So while they’re cramming for an upcoming AP English exam, your teen can look at their bag and yearn for festival-filled times to come.
“Love Texas” Print
Etsy, $13.95
Created by a local St. Edward's University alum, these kitschy prints are a surefire way to spice up a bedroom or dorm room (or even a locker door). And with prints ranging from “Be Happy” to “Haters Gonna Hate. Potatoes Gonna Potate,” you’re almost guaranteed to find one to please your picky teen.
Socks
Mitscoots Socks, $10.20- $25.50
No one really likes getting socks for Christmas, but with Mitscoots, you get a little something extra. For every pair purchased, they’ll give away a pair to people living on the streets of Austin. Fancy footwear + philanthropy = win.
Giftcards (When in doubt, go with gift cards.)
Alamo Drafthouse Gift Cards
Website
South Austin finally has somewhere cool to see a movie, and the odds are that your teen recipient frequents the new Slaughterhouse Lane location quite a bit. With Catching Fire dominating the box office and the upcoming Divergent, there’s more than enough teen fare for them to enjoy.
Kerbey Lane Gift Cards
Website
Trust me when I say that nothing makes a teen feel cooler than being able to drive themselves to eat pancakes at 11 pm. So load them up with some Kerbey Lane Cafe bucks for their first chance at late-night gorging without the ensuing hangover.
Summermoon Coffee Bar
Website
Nothing compliments angst like a good cup of coffee, and South First Street's Summermoon Coffee offers up some of the best. Get them caffeinated, and 2014 might be a little bit easier.
End of an Ear
Website
Make your kid the coolest on the block with some money for local record seller End of an Ear. Bonus points if you buy them one of your old favorites for “educational purposes.”
Teenagers love movies. (And making out!)
