Shop Local: Great Gifts for Men

The reason I started this website was to shine a light on what makes Dallas such a fabulous city. We have many creative and talented designers and manufacturers right in our own North Texas backyard. Their contributions not only bolster our local economy, but impact our image around the world.  Throughout the holiday season, I will be bringing you a series of posts called Shop Local bringing you great gift ideas for under $250 from North Texas designers and retailers. Support local companies this season by considering their wares.

Great Gifts for Men...

Whether you need to restock your bar after all those holiday parties or too much family time has you reaching for the bottle, this season try T-X Blended Whiskey.

The handcrafted whiskey from Ft. Worth based Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co. was named “Best American Craft Whiskey” in addition to earning a Double Gold Medal at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the world’s most highly regarded spirits competitions.

T-X is a premium pour with notes of vanilla, caramel, and honey butter. The bottle toppers are a work of art, too. They're handmade at the distillery using a variety of luxury cowboy boot leathers. For the holidays they have released a limited edition bottle which is topped with a santa hat.

This is the perfect gift for any man in your life, your boss or someone who lives out-of-town you want to share a taste of Texas with.

T-X Blended Whiskey, which retails for around $35 for the 750 ml., is available in a growing number of liquor stores and on-premise locations throughout Texas.

And to go with that delicious whiskey, Neiman Marcus is offering Monogrammed Glass Barware. Put a personal spin on entertaining with hand-etched monogrammed barware.

• Made of glass. 
• Dishwasher safe. 
• Pilsner glasses hold 20 ounces. 
• Highballs hold 15 ounces. 
• Double old-fashioneds hold 14 ounces.
• Made in the USA.

For personalization, specify single initial in Block or Script or three initials in Diamond Block or Script.

Glasses come in three sizes: Pilsner, Highball and Double Old-Fashioned.

Available at Neiman Marcus retail locations or http://bit.ly/18u454N.

Cost: $56 for set of 4




IonLoop® is a Carrollton-based company that produces negative ion, watches, bracelets, wristbands and necklaces that they believe are a great first-step in counteracting the harmful effects of positive ions. The negative ion properties are manufactured into the silicone bands themselves and will not lose their effectiveness over time. Most of the watches, bracelets, and necklaces also contain small but powerful magnets that offer all the benefits of magnet therapy to the user.

The Ion Time smart sports watch is the NEW affordable product that provides the same benefits of Negative Ions + Magnets that people have come to rely on in all IonLoop® products. This Ion Time Smart Sports Watch promotes health & well-being simply by wearing it each day.

Each IonTime smart sports watch offers Magnets and Negative Ions. The timepiece consists of 8 powerful discs built into the stainless steel watchcase; 4 containing 1,100 gauss magnets and 4 discs that each provide approximately 500cc negative power. The waterproof silicone strap contains an additional 1,300cc of negative ion technology. Each watch is guaranteed certified to 10 ATM or 100 meters of water.  IonTime watches are stylish & colorful, available in Black, Navy, Apple Green, and Orange.  Available at http://bit.ly/1bQuM6x.

Cost: $85

Even though this is listed as a gift for men, I kind of dig this for myself…

Abas European Belting Leather iPhone 5/5s Case is beautifully crafted, super slim and keeps your iPhone® 5/5s safe and at the same time accessible.

• Contrast topstitching adds subtle definition.
• Handcrafted of natural organic tanned Italian "belting" leather. 
• Available in black, brown and cognac
• Easy access with side thumb notches and a convenient front card pocket. 
• Personalization is up to three initials in style shown. 
• 5"W x 0.5"D x 8"T.

Available at Neiman Marcus retail locations or http://bit.ly/1kq2EGH.

Cost: $45 plain or $55 with 3-letter personalization

You can never go wrong with a candle. Even for men. This candle from Beau Tye can be found at Home on Bishop.  It is leather scented with a cedar wood wick. Handmade in Dallas.

A great gift for a boss or maybe a boy-friend you haven't been dating that long… Personal but no too personal, if you know what I mean.

Cost: $25

Available at Home on Bishop, 502 N. Bishop Ave., Dallas, TX 75208. http://bit.ly/199YZuZ