Last-Minute Holiday Gift Ideas (as seen on CBS Austin)

No need to panic-buy the rest of those holiday gifts! Today on CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin,” I shared some truly original, thoughtful, and practical gift ideas for everyone on your “nice” list — from Texas-inspired fine fragrances to pampering skincare products, an indulgent faux fur throw, and premium tomato sauces for the foodie in your life.

Make sure to check out the segment here and keep reading for details on everything seen on the show!

Fulton & Roark’s Lady Bird and Contrabando Scents

Like the most compelling works of literature, great fragrances tell a story, enveloping us in their magic while conjuring up soul-stirring emotions, tapping into cherished memories, or transporting us to enchanting destinations. American fine fragrance brand Fulton & Roark looked to Texas for inspiration when developing its two newest scents: Lady Bird and Contrabando.

Inspired by Austin’s Lady Bird Lake, the new Fulton & Roark Lady Bird scent is a a joyful celebration of wildflowers. Its top notes of blackjack blooms, red raspberry, and pink pepper create a sense of excitement, opening the fragrance on a cheerful and optimistic tone that mirrors the collective joy Austinites share when bluebonnets begin to dot the landscape come springtime. At its heart, the scent features a gorgeous floral bouquet of bluebonnet, bright freesia and velvety rose. Base notes of amber, cedarwood, and musk, meanwhile, lend the fragrance a sense of mystery and an elusive sensuality.

The second Texas-inspired scent, Contrabando, takes its name from the abandoned movie set turned ghost town within Big Bend Ranch State Park in West Texas. Constructed in 1985 for the bordertown murder-mystery film Uphill all the Way, the Contrabando set was used as a set for nine Western movies including Dead Man’s Walk and Streets of Laredo. Its centerpiece, a simple adobe structure, still remains on the site — even as the other structures built for the movie set (including a charming chapel) were demolished after being badly damaged due to heavy rains and flooding in 2008. The Contrabando scent beautifully captures the enigmatic aura of the place that inspired it. The scent opens with clean and crisp notes of bergamot zest, cucumber and ambrette. The heart, meanwhile, captures the scent of the desert shortly before and after rainfall by combining notes of orris, ocotillo, and galbanum. The heart of the fragrance, then, is woody, resinous, and powdery. Base notes of cedarwood, patchouli and soft leather give more depth and intrigue to the scent.

Both Lady Bird and Contrabando are available in Extrait de Parfum, Solid Fragrance, Deodorant and Bar Soap Formats.

Each Extrait de Parfum is $205 at FultonandRoark.com, NeimanMarcus.com and the Neiman Marcus store in The Domain.

SWAIR SpeedMask

Cold and dry winter air can result in strands looking and feeling dry, dull, rough, frizzy and brittle, so a deeply moisturizing and nourishing hair mask is a really useful and thoughtful gift. One great pick is the newly launched SWAIR SpeedMask ($38 on SWAIRhair.com and Amazon), an ultra-efficient hair mask that works in just one minute. You simply apply it to wet, sweaty, or dry hair, comb through your strands, wait one minute, and then rinse off — no extra steps or additional wait time. Most hair masks involve wetting and shampooing hair, applying the mask in question, and then stepping out of the shower and waiting 15 to 20 minutes — only to then step back into the shower and rinse off. With the SpeedMask, however, there’s no stepping out of the shower and no looking at the clock impatiently and counting down the minutes. It’s the ultimate time-saver! And because this treatment is so efficient, you’ll be more inclined to use it consistently, which means you’ll reap more results.

Vegan and cruelty-free, the SWAIR SpeedMask is formulated with: baobab oil, a superfood rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids that help to repair damaged strands; astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant derived from microalgae that promotes scalp health and works as an anti-inflammatory; and rice extracts, which contain amino acids that support stronger strands and add smoothness and shine.

Purdori Velvet Restore Sleeping Mask and Revitalizing Radiance Cream Mask

Did you know your skin works the night shift? That’s right! Overnight, as we’re getting our precious rest, our skin is busy repairing and restoring itself: collagen, melatonin and human growth hormone levels rise, all of which contribute to skin cell regeneration and repair. To optimize your beauty sleep, then, you want to reach for a skincare product that’s formulated to work in tandem with skin’s circadian rhythm, supporting our skin’s repair and anti-aging mechanisms. Enter sleeping masks, which literally work their magic while we rest so we can wake up looking more refreshed and radiant. Sustainable and plant-based skincare brand Purdori recently unveiled two new sleeping masks that make outstanding holiday gifts.

Purdori’s high-performance formulas feature a proprietary RO-ICE+ base comprised of aloe, rosewater, and ice plant extract. Whereas most skincare products are primarily comprised of water (often up to 80% of their makeup), Purdori relies on its exclusive RO-ICE+ base, resulting in formulas that are potent and undiluted, at once effective but also gentle and soothing.

The Purdori Velvet Restore Sleeping Mask ($78 on Purdori.com) combines that stellar RO-ICE+ base with orchid stem cells that promote skin regeneration and firmness; Bioecolia, a prebiotic that promotes a balanced skin microbiome; and ceramides that restore and strengthen the skin barrier, resulting in more hydrated and smoother skin. This overnight mask targets fine lines and wrinkles as well as sagginess, giving skin a smoother, more sculpted and lifted appearance.

And, if your skin is congested, you’re experiencing breakouts, or your skin is looking dull and life cells, reach for the Revitalizing Radiance Cream Mask ($78 on Purdori.com). The mask is powered by RO-ICE+ as well as goji stem cells, which are rich in antioxidants; exosomes, which are small extracellular vesicles that promote accelerated wound healing and are believed to speed up skin repair; Ecoskin, a pre/postbiotic complex that balances the skin’s microbiome; and Bulgarian rose oil to soothe sensitive skin and enhance radiance. This mask works to target excess oil production, restore skin’s natural balance, and enhance skin’s luminosity.

Skincare Generics Holiday Gift Box Bundle

If you love luxury skincare products but not their hefty price tags, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with Skincare Generics. Brand founder William Henderson developed Skincare Generics with the hopes of making luxury skincare affordable and accessible to a wider audience. Henderson spent 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry, working for a wide variety of branded, OTC, and generic manufacturers. Using the paradigm of pharmaceutical medications and their generic counterparts, he wondered why so many high-end luxury skincare products did not have more accessible generic counterparts. He set out to fill the gap in the market by creating a brand that would offer true dupes of the most popular ultra-prestige products — all at reasonable prices.

The Holiday Gift Box Bundle ($111.98 on SkincareGenerics.com) features four incredible, cruelty-free products made in the US using domestic and imported ingredients. The Lavish Cream is a velvety moisturizer for all skin types that’s a dupe for the Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream. The Hydrating Cream is an ultra-rich moisturizer that’s ideal for mature, dry skin types and is comparable to the La Mer’s Crème de la Mer. The CE Serum is a vitamin C serum that mirrors the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. And the Hyaluronic Skin Serum rivals the Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum.

If you bought the luxury versions of these products, you’d be spending well over $1300. With these dupes, however, you can reap the same benefits and spend less than 1/10th of that amount!

down etc Bed and Bath Gifts

Who doesn’t love a gift that facilitates rest and relaxation? Well, down etc specializes in hotel-level luxury and comfort. From goose-down pillows to plush robes and towels, down etc helps you bring resort-quality sleep and spa upgrades into everyday life.

With over two decades of experience in prestigious hospitality environments, down etc is synonymous with elegance and comfort. Its luxury bedding is used at Austin’s best hotels including The Driskill, Hotel Van Zandt, Hotel ZaZa, and JW Marriott. When you gift a down etc product, then, you’re literally gifting a hotel experience!

The brand is built on the idea that great rest is the ultimate daily reset, and these down etc gifts help to encourage restorative sleep and self-care. The 25%/ 75% White Goose Down and White Goose Feather Pillow ($115 to $161 on downetc.com and Amazon) is soft and fluffy — like sleeping on a cloud! The Taurus Mountain Collection Absorb8 Shawl Collar Robe ($120 on downetc.com and Amazon) is crafted using the brand’s proprietary, super-absorbent Absorb8 textile technology, comprised of cotton terry on the inside and plush polyester on the outside. It feels like a hug! And the Mojave Diamond Border Bath Towels ($8 to $115 on downetc.com and Amazon) will not only elevate the look of any bathroom, but they’ll feel like an indulgence after a relaxing soak in the tub or an invigorating shower.

These down etc products, then, transform everyday routines into indulgent rituals. For more down etc gift options, visit downetc.com or Amazon!

Harbor House Living Botswana Animal Print Faux Fur Throw Blanket

When it’s cold outside, we all want to snuggle under a warm blanket and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, read a book, or watch movie. That’s why the Harbor House Living Botswana Animal Print Faux Fur Throw Blanket is the perfect gift for anyone who loves both luxury and comfort. With its stunning safari-inspired design, it offers the indulgent look and feel of real fur, but it’s entirely cruelty-free, crafted with ultra-soft, high-pile faux fur.

Harbor House Living is committed to elevated designs, impeccable craftsmanship, and sustainable practices. In fact, this elegant throw is OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it’s free of harmful chemicals, and it carries the GRS SCOPE certification, confirming it’s made with recycled materials using responsible production practices. It’s the epitome of glamour and comfort without compromise!

The throw comes in four elegant prints — Bobcat, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Polar Bear — and currently retails for $399.99 on HarborHouseLiving.com and Amazon.

Universal U Women’s Total Health Daily Vitamin Packs

With Universal U, you can give the gift of simplified wellness routines. The brand offers expertly curated wellness solutions formulated with premium ingredients and third-party tested for quality and potency.

The Universal U Women’s Total Health Daily Vitamin Packs deliver 23 essential vitamins, minerals and botanicals, replacing over two dozen supplements bottles. These convenient grab-and-go packs give you all the nutrients you need — no guesswork and no clutter. Each individually sealed pack incorporates nutrients like vitamins A, B-Complex, C, D3, E, and K, as well as minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, manganese; digestion support ingredients like bromelain, papain, and lapaise; heart and brain health boosters like krill oil and omega-3s; and mood support ingredients like ashwagandha. And that’s not all! They also contain ingredients crucial to female wellness like cranberry, chasteberry and grape seed extracts, which are known to support urinary tract health and balance hormones.

Each perfectly portioned pack includes just the right dose of these vitamins, minerals and botanicals, so you don’t need to worry about whether you’re taking too much or too little of any one supplement. Plus they free up so much counter space!

Available on UniversalU.com and Amazon, you can select a one-time purchase or subscribe for extra savings.

Martone Street Tomato Sauces

Next we have the perfect gift for foodies, home cooks and anyone who loves authentic Italian flavors. Martone Street is a line of premium tomato sauces from celebrity chef Scott Conant, who has appeared as a judge on such hit shows as Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay. The brand is named after the street in Waterbury, Connecticut on which his grandparents built their home in 1945 after immigrating to the US from Southern Italy. That house is where Scott learned to cook with his mother and grandmother, where his connection was first nurtured. For Scott, then, Martone Street is about more than tomato sauce — it’s about connection, family, and cooking with soul.

Each Martone Street sauce is crafted with freshly peeled plum tomatoes, slow-cooked for rich, silky flavor. Inspired by Scott’s most famous dish, Spaghetti al Pomodoro, the sauces are rooted in timeless recipes and crafted with care using quality ingredients. All sauces are gluten-free and non-GMO, with no added sugar of preservatives. 

The collection is comprised of four tomato sauces varieties: Signature Pomodoro, a classic combination of tomato and basil; Arrabiata, which contains fiery Calabrian chili and garlic for a spicy kick; Campagna Marinara, a rustic and hearty sauce with tomato, onion, olive oil and oregano; and Mediterranean Style, a light and bright sauce with garlic, caper, and oregano. To experience all these delights, pick up the Martone Street Four-Flavor Gift Set seen on the show!

You can pick up individual Martone Street sauces at Sprouts Market or visit MartoneStreet.com and use code MSAUSTIN15 for 15% off your order!

The Martone Street Four-Flavor Gift Set retails for $35.99 and is available exclusively on MartoneStreet.com, so now’s your time to pick up this great gift idea and enjoy that 15% off discount!

Tape Zoomie

Do you find holiday gift wrapping tedious? Do you spend hours tackling a seemingly never-ending pile of gifts? Do you moan and groan every time the tape gets stuck to the table or the carpet or your pants? Well, there’s a way to make wrapping gifts quick and easy. With Tape Zoomie, you can wrap gifts up to three times faster!

Created by a mom looking for the most efficient way to wrap gifts for her three children, Tape Zoomie has become a viral sensation — and for good reason! To use, you insert two rolls of tape, placing them side by side, then tug on the outer frame of the unit to extend it all the way out. Once extended, you can pull on each roll of tape and attach it to the end of the unit. You can then cut the tape into 18 strips that are ready to use! With the tape ready to go, you’ll be done with your wrapping session in no time!

Not only is Tape Zoomie a huge time-saver during the holiday season, but it’s a great gift for crafters and DIYers.

Tape Zoomie is currently $18.32 (20% off!) on TapeZoomie.com. It’s also available on Amazon!

Sharper Image’s Move with Confidence Collection

Give the gift of consideration with Sharper Image’s new Move with Confidence collection, their first line of Durable Medical Equipment, available exclusively at Walmart. These aren’t your typical mobility aids — they’re thoughtfully designed products that blend the brand’s signature innovation with accessible pricing.

Each product is made with premium materials and features ergonomic design details as well as versatile accessory attachments. Standouts include: a premium foldable walker ($98.34 on Walmart.com)with durable, high-traction wheels and a removable storage bag with pockets and a zippered pouch; a stylish cane ($19.98 on Walmart.com) featuring a stable and slip-resistant quad-tipped base, adjustable height settings (from 32 to 42 inches), and an ergonomic grip handle with a secure wrist strap; and an ergonomic grabber ($34.92 on Walmart.com) that extends your reach from 22″ to 29.5″ and features a rotating head that pivots up to 90 degrees, as well as built-in magnets to easily pick up metal objects.

Sleek and modern, these Sharper Image products avoid the clinical look of typical medical equipment, boasting contemporary designs that allow users to express their style with confidence and support.