However, one thing I’m really passionate about is supporting small, local businesses.

As an aspiring entrepreneur myself, supporting the dreams of others is really fulfilling. I think it's important to lift each other up. So, I’ve gathered some cool finds from local Austin companies to put together a gift guide that supports small and/or local businesses. I also threw in some fun Austin spots that offer great giftable experiences.

FOR YOUR MOM

I sell Origami Owl jewelry. So, essentially, this is my small business. :) If you've never heard of Origami Owl, it allows you to tell your story with meaningful, customizable jewelry. You can choose charms that represent your passions, memories, dreams and the things you love and capture them in your Living Locket or Locket Watch. My mom LOVES this stuff. It's so personal and unique. You can customize so many of the pieces. I really love Signature Gold Locket Watch. Watches make such beautiful gifts. You can add charms to make it really special - which are sold separately. But, the Black Friday deals are incredible. Don't miss out!

FOR YOUR DAD

My Dad is really tough to shop for, and although I know he'd be grateful for any gift, I feel like the perfect gift is always elusive. My Dad really enjoys spending time outdoors, so Whole Earth Provision Co. has some really interesting items for the nature lover. I'm definitely stopping there for his gift. If your Dad is more of a movie buff, then a gift card from Alamo Drafthouse would make a great gift. You could even go a step further and package it together with some movie memorabilia.

FOR YOUR BROTHER

If your brother is of drinking age, it's likely he may enjoy a nice cold beverage on occasion. Austin is packed full of breweries and distilleries. Scheduling a tour at one of these establishments is a great way to bond and spend time with your sibling. ATXcursions is a company that will arrange all the travel, so you can enjoy beverages safely. You can sample at each stop and they lay out all the details very simply on their website.

If he's not a drinker, axe throwing might be in the cards. Yes, I said AXE THROWING. You do still have to be 21 or older to participate, but this out of the ordinary experience will surely be memorable. Although Urban Axes didn't originate in Austin, their location on Airport Boulevard is the company's second location. They offer gift cards for purchase directly from their website.

FOR YOUR SISTER

Mana Culture is a cute boutique tucked away off South 1st. They offer so many beautiful designs and styles. I think that earrings make such a sweet gift. Earrings are something your sister can use throughout the year. Bold earrings are on trend right now, so ones like pictured below can make any outfit feel complete. They are even nickel free for sensitive ears. Image Source: ManaCulture

FOR YOUR BOYFRIEND

It's fun to get out of the house and try something new together as a couple. Personally, Kyle and I love cooking. When we first started dating, Wednesdays were our nights to hang out and we always made dinner together. So, enjoying a cooking class together is a such a wonderful gift idea. Even if you're not great in the kitchen, this is sure to be a fun experience. Faraday’s Kitchen Store in Bee Cave offers lots of cooking classes. You can check out their schedule here.

FOR YOUR NEPHEWS/NIECES

Spending a day at the Thinkery with your niece or nephew is a great way to bond with them and have some fun! Unfortunately, my nephews are in Minnesota. But, if your family is coming into town or they already live in Austin, spending a day at the museum can be a ton of fun for everyone!

If you're looking for cool interactive toys, Whole Earth Provision Co. also has an amazing kid's section. The location on South Lamar near Central Market has an abundant amount of choices for all ages. I highly suggest checking them out.

FOR YOUR OUT-OF-STATE FAMILY

If you're shopping for friends and family outside of the great state of Texas, giving them a chance to experience the flavors of Texas is an awesome gift idea. Salt Lick is a must-see barbeque joint just South of Austin. Anytime family visits, we take them here. Salt Lick offers a great gift set of sauces and rubs, so that your family can try making their own Texas BBQ no matter where they are located.

Personally, I think Thanksgiving is the most wonderful time of year. Christmas is great and all, but the pressure around buying gifts can become overwhelming. What I love about Thanksgiving is that the only expectations of the day are focused on football, food and good company. The weather is finally (FINALLY) starting to cool down in Austin. While cooking is my zen place, I know it can be a bit stressful for others not so comfortable in the kitchen.

I wanted to do a roundup of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes, and what I do to make them my own. I also wanted to share a few tips to make Thanksgiving Day a breeze and provide inspiration for your menu.

SIPS

Sangria - My summer sangria is just as tasty in the Fall. To warm it up, I add some cinnamon sticks to really bring the Fall flavor. Getting a drink dispenser is such a great investment. They aren't that expensive, and they come in handy throughout the year.

Bourbon Iced Spiced Cider - Bourbon purists will not agree with me here, and will suggest you add rum instead. But, I’m not big on whiskey or bourbon straight up. Sorry folks! I was out of rum. I made this drink last weekend and I absolutely loved it.

1 shot of bourbon
1 large ice cube
Top with spiced cider + pumpkin pie spice

APPETIZERS

Appetizers should be easy and quick. All of these appetizers can be made the day or night before, which frees up your kitchen the following day for other dishes. These are classic recipes and don't require a lot of prep work.

Brie + Cranberry Phyllo Turnovers

Sausage Cheddar Bites

Veggie Tray

TURKEY

Turkey Brine - Brining your turkey is by far the easiest way to ensure you don’t dry it out. I’ve brined my bird for years now, and the flavor difference is worth the extra preparation. The great thing about brine is that you can make it your own based on the flavors you like. The brine I’ve linked above is what I plan to use this year. Also, don't be scared of the salt. It seems like a lot but your turkey gets a bath before it goes in the oven.

I highly recommend getting an oven thermometer. It's the only way to truly know when your turkey is fully cooked.

SIDES

Is it even Thanksgiving without sides? I feel like sometimes sides steal the show - which is okay by me. I wait all year for stuffing. :) I think it’s good to have a mix of veggies and starches. The turkey is already going to put you to sleep, so adding some veggies on your plate won’t kill you.

Crock Pot Mac-n-Cheese - I like to do a crockpot version to keep the oven and stovetop free for the turkey and other sides. Kyle is lactose intolerant, so I follow this recipe (like most) very loosely. I omit the tomatoes and the evaporated milk. I use lactose-free whole milk and I also make sure to use lactose-free cheese. And, before you think, “ew, that sounds disgusting”, Boar’s Head makes some delicious naturally lactose-free cheeses. So, it’s not vegan imitation cheese. (Nothing wrong with being vegan, but I hear cheese is tough to replace!) This is real cheese that naturally does not have lactose.

Green Bean Casserole - It’s really easy to adapt most recipes to be lactose-free. For this recipe, I just make sure to use lactose-free milk. Making this dish from scratch really makes a difference. And, this is a classic dish that must be on the table for Thanksgiving.

Smoky Bacon Biscuit Dressing - I’ve only made the biscuits that are in the original recipe once. Save yourself time and bake off canned biscuits. You can assemble this the night before, and throw it in the oven the day of Thanksgiving to bake and heat up.

Mashed Potatoes + Gravy - Jeff Mauro’s recipe for mashed potatoes is downright divine. Butter, garlic, and cheese. Yes, please. I keep it really easy for the gravy. I make a simple roux with flour and butter in a pan, then add pan drippings from the turkey. It’s the tastiest way to make gravy. If you need extra liquid, or your bird didn’t make tons of pan drippings I suggest keeping a couple of boxes of chicken broth on hand. This pantry ingredient can save you in so many ways on Turkey Day - if you need extra gravy or you overcook your stuffing. :)

Balsamic Roasted Brussels - I love Brussel sprouts. It’s good to have another green item on your plate, and the balsamic really gives these veggies a special twist.

DESSERT

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie - I finally found this recipe on a blog! My aunt has made this pie for years and years. I can’t wait to make it. I want to see how closely it resembles her version. The cream cheese layer is made of unicorns and dreams. It pairs perfectly with the smooth layer of pumpkin. Secerectly, I could eat the entire thing myself.

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest. I've pinned all the recipes on my Pinterest board. I've also linked to all the recipe owners above, so please be sure to check them out. Cooking should be fun, and the more you put your own twist on things the more comfortable you'll become in the kitchen.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. This year has taught me a lot about patience and what's truly important. I'm grateful for my friends, family, and yoga. Every day I'm focusing on being the best version of myself, so I can give back to all the people who mean so much to me. This Thanksgiving - instead of turning your thoughts to gaining abundance - focus on what is right in front of you. The gifts of the present.

XO,

Kimberly

SHOP SMALL: AN AUSTIN HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

However, one thing I’m really passionate about is supporting small, local businesses.

FOR THE BFF

FOR YOUR MOM

FOR YOUR DAD

FOR YOUR BROTHER

FOR YOUR SISTER

FOR YOUR BOYFRIEND

FOR YOUR NEPHEWS/NIECES

FOR YOUR OUT-OF-STATE FAMILY

THANKSGIVING RECIPE ROUNDUP