Admit it. You promised yourself this year will be different. You’ll have all of your holiday shopping finished on time – nay – finished early this year. In fact, since the Omicron variant was identified in November and experts predicted it would soon hit US shores, you knew that staying away from crowded bars, clubs and parties would mean you’d have more time to shop for gifts for everyone on your Chanukah and Christmas list, with plenty of time to spare.

And here we are. Your gift list still has a few unchecked boxes to go.

Well, we’d like to help. At Createscape, we have about 250 members and quite a few are artisans and creators who have been toiling away all year on the treasures that Santa and Hanukah Harry have been gifting this holiday season. So as you’re frantically looking for those last two or three presents for friends, colleagues and family members, allow us to introduce you to some coworking colleagues who definitely have a few nifty gift ideas for your consideration.

Pottery

Vana Ash, who you’ve undoubtedly seen manning the desk at Createscape this past year and perhaps have even gotten her help on booking a conference room or waking up a stubborn sleepy printer, is a highly skilled potter, jewelry maker and artist. You can see all of her handmade goods, including this pot, on Instagram @CraftedbyVana.

Stories

Jessica Bross, founder of Cider Spoon Stories, is an award-winning author and teacher with an MFA in creative writing. In 2015, she launched a publishing house to help authors prep their manuscripts for self-publishing.

Untellable Tales, three-book series published by Cider Spoon Stores

This year, Jessica suggests getting the book-lovers in your life Untellable Tales. “It’s a three-book series that features stories from Austin-area nonprofits.” The emotion-packed collection tells life stories of patients who are losing their memories to the terrible disease of dementia, the heartbreaking experiences of sexual assault survivors, and the frustrations and triumphs of couples working with professional relationship counselors to save their struggling marriages. Each unique story offers insight into people and experiences that we are all surrounded by, but rarely have the chance to sit down and learn about first-hand.

Proceeds from Untellable Tales' book sales benefit nonprofits mentioned in the series.

Gift Boxes

Austintacious

Who doesn’t love a gift box? They’re filled with all sorts of fun and serendipitous treasures. Longtime member, Chris Billig, suggests buying your pals a box from Austintacious, the company that did the swag boxes for this year's ATX Television Festival. "They have a variety of great gift boxes with samplings from Austin-based businesses. Plus, they themselves are a small locally-owned Black business.”

Offerings by Austintacious include the Covid Pamper Kit, which comes with a candle by Soy Austin, coffee by Lucky Lab Coffee, and body oil and scrub by Healthily Essential.

Do you have a friend, colleague or client who’s new to Austin? There’s nothing better than a Welcome to ATX gift box that’s packed with treats from Austin Nuts, Cornucopia Popcorn and all sorts of Keep Austin Weird tchotchkes.

Swift Fit Events

Member Lee Ackerley, Texas Manager of City Running Tours and founder of Swift Fit Events, designs and sells Wellness Boxes packed with health-conscious goodies from (mostly) local purveyors.

The Crystal Cleanse box, $50, contains energy-healing knickknacks, like crystals that promote the feeling of calm stability, self-confidence, creativity and happiness. Or while you’re meditating and clearing your scattered mind, burn a soothing wood and citrus-scented palo santo (which translates to holy wood) incense stick on a gorgeous Karacotta ceramics dish. And at night, you can protect your sanity by hanging a gorgeous dream catcher in your window. Practitioners believe that bad dreams get trapped in the web and are burned away by the prayer beads. Good dreams rest peacefully on the feathers.

The Winter Rest box, $50, contains Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum, One Farm Recharge and Replenish Boost, Early Bird CBD Gummies and a Swift Fit Event Towel.

Get Professional Help!

Ownership Coach

Danielle Gertner is Createscape’s official yoga and meditation guru. If you go to her website, you can peruse five different fitness packages to give to someone who has expressed an interest in hitting their fitness goals in 2022. “The Busy Boss program is ideal for the CEO, entrepreneur, mom, dad or human who only wants to spend 20 to 30 mins working out," says Gertner. "It’s a 12-week self-paced program for any fitness level and only limited equipment is required!"

We’re intrigued by “Own Your Shit HIIT,” a 12-week, equipment-free total bodyweight program for busy bodies with just 30 to 45 minutes to spare for a workout.

You can also sample a workout before springing for an entire class. But as soon as you purchase a program designed and developed by Danielle, you own it for life!

Stretch Zone Circle Z

You know what feels frickin’ amazing? A good stretch. And you know where you can get a good stretch? Right here in Austin at Stretch Zone Circle C. This specialized stretch studio, located at William Cannon near MoPac (just about 11 minutes from the office) offers practitioner-assisted stretching services that help you achieve your flexibility goals. Knowledgeable stretch professionals lead clients through dynamic moves that successfully relieve everyday aches and pains and prevent injury. If you or the person you’re purchasing stretch sessions for sits at a desk or on the couch hours on end, day and night, then stretching is one of the most thoughtful ways to say, “I care about your joints, dude.” According to the Mayo Clinic, “Stretching increases blood flow to the muscle…and can improve range of motion.” Not sure if this is an appropriate gift for that special tensed-up friend in your life? Then book a free 30-minute trial session for yourself first.

This suggestion is courtesy of full-time member, Tab Barker, who sits in the Howdy Room in front of a luxurious maroon curtain.

Best Money Class Ever

We’re also not suggesting giving your friend or cubicle-mate cold, hard cash. But instead, the skills to grow his or her bank balance by learning how to save and invest cold, hard cash. Carly Michelle, Createscape member – who happened to be featured on our blog twice before – and will soon move into the role of Community Manager in January, teaches a class that can help anyone get out of debt; invest; save for a car, home or an emergency. The program is called Best Money Class Ever and it’s a live, virtual four-week personal finance curriculum.

You can take Best Money Class Ever in a group with other students, or sign up for one-on-one coaching. The next group session starts on Wednesday, January 19th, from 7pm-9pm. Sign up here.

If Best Money Class sounds like a perfect gift to give yourself, when you enroll before the next session begins, you can bring a friend for free. That’s actually a pretty cool idea for a white elephant gift exchange, if you ask us.

The Createscape Gift Guide

Pottery

Stories