Two holidays have a way of sneaking up on us — first, Mother’s Day, and a month and a half later, Father’s Day. Let’s be honest — most of us are more prepared for Mom than we are for Dad (and oftentimes she gets the better loot too!). This year, however, we’re thinking ahead so Sunday, May 9, and Sunday, June 20, won’t sneak up on you empty-handed. We’ve got you covered with suggestions for either one or both of them — and perhaps a splurge for yourself as well. — Ellen Ritscher Sackett
Humble Love
Parents like to be pampered too. Take your pick of soaps, salves, and body products made for both men and women. Created by Caldwell couple Taylor and April Locke, their Humble Love line is made with 100% all-natural ingredients that are often organic and include essential oils. The Stella Hotel has always made their handmade liquid soaps available to guests, and the full line of products is available at the Bird’s Nest in downtown Bryan. It’s worth checking out the couple’s store on the downtown square, however, for its carefully curated, made-in-Texas (and beyond) merchandise. While you’re shopping, sip on a smoothie from the juice bar in the back of the store (we like the Berry Fresh and Chocolate Jam), or sign up for April’s weekly painting class or a workshop. Seen here (from left to right): Frankincense and Patchouli Body Soap, $5; Patchouli Orange hand sanitizer, $8; Good Night Moon Relaxing Room and Body Spray, 8 oz., $16; Mint to Be lip balm, $4; HeadEase Headache Relief Roll-on, $8; Muscle & Joint Pain Relief Salve, 4 oz., $20.
The Humble Life
100 S. Echols Street, Caldwell | (713) 817-6355 | thehumblelifestore.com
Record Player and Records
Transport your mother or father back in time with a favorite vintage vinyl record and a retro turntable and speakers to play it on. The Crosley C6 Turntable is trimmed with ‘70’s-inspired walnut wood-grain finish, and the mid-range Crosley S200 Stereo Speakers with 4-inch woofers and 1-inch tweeters provide a range of highs and lows that crank out a full stereo sound. Paired together, they’ll be ready to play 45s and 33 RPM LPs straight out of the box. “Turntables and records are crazy ‘in’ right now!” says Aggie-grad Mary House, the store’s owner since 2016. Flip through the stacks and discover new and used classic and contemporary records in genres like rock, R&B, country, jazz, and classical. Whether your parents are into Bach, Count Basie or the BeeGees, there’s a record sitting undiscovered on the shelf, just waiting for the needle to drop. Record player and speaker combination: $290.
Curious Collections Vinyl Records & More
710 N. Rosemary Drive, Bryan | (979) 704-3059 | curiouscollectionstx.com
Luxury Wine Carrier
Toast Mom and Dad on their special day by pairing a fine varietal with the finest top-grain leather for an ageless gift that’s meant to be savored. The King Ranch brand continues the South Texas tradition of leatherworking born of the company’s roots as a saddlery, established just after the Civil War. In a rich rio latigo leather, this stylish wine holder makes B.Y.O.B. not just easy but elegant, whether to an afternoon picnic at Lick Creek Park or an outdoor event on the Green at Century Square. Carriers can come with one, two, or four compartments that keep bottles snug in place with a flap that buckles them in and a side pocket for a bottle opener. $151 to $296.
166 Century Court, Suite 106, College Station | (979) 209-9744 | krsaddleshop.com
Charcuterie Board
Outdoor entertaining is in! Take to the deck or porch with an informal presentation of cured meats, cheese, crackers, jams, nuts, and fruit for you and your parent to nosh on. As the edibles disappear, the real gift will reveal itself -- a handsome, handmade wooden tray or board to keep long after the celebration is over. “We build with walnut, maple, cherry, purple heart, padauk, and a variety of other exotic hardwoods,” says Mark Deskin, a former U.S. Marine whose name may sound familiar as the guy behind the camera of Aggieland Photography. As the pandemic hit, he and his wife Shannon turned their focus to woodworking. The Aggie-proud couple recently expanded their Bryan shop from 200 to 1,250 square feet to accommodate the size and growing demand for their bespoke products — from drink coasters and trays to barn doors and beds. Size, materials, and cost may vary; shown here in walnut, 10” wide by 22” long, with a leather hanging strap. $75.
Live Oak Woodworx | (979) 353-1270 | liveoakwoodworx.com
Whiskey Distillery Tour
Treat your whiskey-loving parent with an hour-long tour of a local distillery. Watch the process of how corn and barley are cooked in a kettle then distilled in a 500-gallon pot still to create a pure, natural alcohol. The distillery, which opened in 2013, produces five kinds of whiskey. “We certify that all of our corn, wheat, and malted barley is grown and malted in Texas by Texas family-owned farms,” says Nathan Barkman, the business’ sole proprietor. Four 1.5 oz. whiskey samples are provided during the tour, and 700ml bottles are available for purchase afterward for $30–$89. Tours are $15 per person by appointment; the tasting room is currently closed.
Rio Brazos Distillery
11405 N. Dowling Road, Unit H, College Station | (979) 703-7935 | riobrazosdistillery.com
Hand-Painted Mug
Make a mug or other ceramic masterpiece that you painted all by yourself for Mom or Dad, just like you might have when you were a kid. Give it personality with your favorite colors or add a special message, and then leave it at the store to be fired. Within a week, your gift can be picked up, ready to be wrapped with love. Ceramics can be created in-studio by appointment or you can bring the painting party home. The paint is washable and non-toxic, which makes this a terrific homemade gift from little ones with help from a parent. Can’t finish your piece in time for Mother’s Day? Give her the experience of painting together. In studio fee: $6 per child; $8 per adult, plus the cost of the ceramic piece. Pottery-to-go: Cost of ceramic piece plus an additional 25% of your total pottery purchase, which includes the paints, tools, glazing, and firing. Studio hours are Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.
U Paint-It
900 Harvey Road, Suite 5A, College Station | (979) 695-1500 | upaintit.com
Book Bundle
Is Mom or Dad a bookworm? Surprise them with a mystery stack from a locally-owned bookstore. Located in the middle of historic Downtown Brenham, The Book Nook fills a niche as the city’s only new and used bookstore. Finding the perfect title for your parent can be a daunting task, so their staff does the work for you by putting together a bundle of new or gently used, in-stock titles. Give them a general outline of the type or genre you're looking for, or order a mystery package and leave it up to them. Bundles can be purchased in-store or online for pick-up or delivery. Packages are $25, $40, $50, or $100. Number of books varies by price point.
The Book Nook
108 S. Douglas Street, Brenham | (979) 836-7323 | brenhambooknook.com
