Deck the Halls, Y’all

A Buie & Countdown to Christmas in Austin.

One of the best parts of living in Austin is the community support for local businesses and participation in unique traditions, particularly around the holidays. At Buie & Co., we’re proud to call Austin home and love to partake in all the festivities our city has to offer.

Over the next two weeks we’ll be counting down to Christmas in Austin and sharing our team’s favorite local activities and gift ideas to make your spirits bright this holiday season.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and join the conversation using the hashtags #BuieAndCountdown #DeckTheHallsYall

Buie & Countdown to Christmas in Austin

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a spin underneath the Zilker Tree!

Get in the holiday spirit with this classic Austin tradition

austintexas.gov/zilkerholidaytree | austintrailoflights.org

Zilker Holiday Tree - Christmas in Austin

The Zilker Tree stands 155 feet tall and shines bright against the Austin skyline with 3,309 lights. The first tree was lighted on December 10, 1967.

The tree will be on display nightly from 6:00 pm to midnight now through December 31st.

Be sure to plan a trip to visit the Trail of Lights as well, which runs now through December 23rd from 7:00 – 10:00 pm each night.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me two boots a-scootin’!

Pick up some boots from Allen’s and head over to the Broken Spoke to do the two-step

allensboots.com | brokenspokeaustintx.net

The Broken Spoke - Christmas in Austin

Allens Boots has been the go-to spot for boots in Austin since 1977. Nestled along the popular shopping strip of South Congress Avenue, you’ll find their big red boot sign and some Texas hospitality.

The Broken Spoke is one of the last of the True Texas Dance Halls, and one of the best places to two-step. Established in 1964, this iconic South Lamar venue has featured some of Texas’ finest musicians, including Dale Watson, Alvin Crow, The Derailers and Willie Nelson!

They even offer two-step lessons every Wednesday through Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 pm.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three French wines!

Find your favorite vintage at Austin Wine Merchant

theaustinwinemerchant.com

The Austin Wine Merchant - Christmas in Austin

The Austin Wine Merchant has served our city since 1991, offering some of the world’s finest wines. Their friendly staff will help you pick the perfect bottle(s), and they even offer gift wrapping and delivery in the Austin area!

Located on West Sixth Street between San Antonio and Nueces, The Austin Wine Merchant is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me a four-member pass!

Give the gift of fun with a Family membership to the Thinkery

thinkeryaustin.org

Thinkery Membership - Christmas in Austin

The Thinkery is an innovative museum focused on igniting curiosity, with exhibits that foster learning and exploration for all ages. They even have one of Waymo’s self-driving cars, the Firefly, on display right now with video of the world’s first fully self-driving ride on public roads, which took place right across the street from the Thinkery.

Check out some of the great holidays programs this month! The museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me five golden things!

Get decked out for the holidays with jewelry from Kendra Scott

kendrascott.com

Kendra Scott - Christmas in Austin

Kendra Scott is one of the fastest growing companies in Austin and is widely known for beautiful jewelry and giving back to the community.

The first Kendra Scott store opened in Austin in 2010, and since has opened locations nationally and internationally, including opening its first store in London earlier this month.

Anything from Kendra Scott is sure to be a hit under the tree this year!

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me six hands a-rubbin’!

Relax with the Bliss Holiday Retreat from Milk + Honey

milkandhoneyspa.com

Milk and Honey logo

What better way to wind down from all the hustle and bustle of the holidays than with a day at the spa?

We recommend the Bliss Holiday Retreat, which includes a massage, facial and pedicure, but you can’t go wrong with any of their treatments.

Milk + Honey has four locations in Austin. Give them a call at (512) 236-1115 or visit their website to buy a gift certificate for someone special, or schedule an appointment for yourself!

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me Seven goats a-posin’

Find your inner peace at a GOGA Goat Yoga class

facebook.com/GOGAGoatYoga

GOGA goat yoga - Christmas in Austin

Yes, Goat Yoga is a thing, and trust us – you need it in your life!

Enjoy a 45-minute Vinyasa class with baby Nigerian Pygmy Dwarf goats walking, running, jumping, and kissing their way around your mat throughout your practice. It’s the perfect class for someone who’s never tried yoga before, or the experienced Yogi who wants to remember to not take themselves too seriously.

Classes sell out fast, but keep an eye on the events tab of the GOGA Facebook page to register for an upcoming session.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me Eight moms a-milkin’

Honor someone you love with a donation to the Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin

milkbank.org

Mother's Milk Bank Logo

Since 1999 the Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin (MMBA) has been saving babies’ lives through the gift of human milk. Human milk is best for all babies, but it is critical to survival for preterm and medically fragile infants.

MMBA collects, pasteurizes and dispenses donor human milk, providing it to those babies whose mothers are unable to produce their own breast milk, or who don’t have enough of their own milk. Anyone can be a lifesaver by donating their milk, money or time.

This holiday season, support this incredible cause and honor someone special with a donation to the Milk Bank.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me Nine tutus prancing!

Take in Ballet Austin’s 55th annual production of The Nutcracker

balletaustin.org

Ballet Austin Nutcracker - Christmas in Austin

The Nutcracker will always be a holiday favorite, and Ballet Austin’s performance is a perfect way to celebrate the season with family and friends of any age.

Enjoy the colorful characters, gorgeous sets and the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky played by the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

A few performances and tickets still remain – check the schedule and buy your tickets today!

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me Ten friends a-drinkin’!

Grab your crew for a pedal-powered tour of Austin on the PubCrawler

pubcrawlerofaustin.com

PubCrawler - Christmas in Austin

The combination of bars and bicycles is something every Austinite should try at least once with a ride on the PubCrawler!

With four routes around Austin, you and your friends can pedal through the Market District, the Capitol / Warehouse District, Barton Springs or the UT Campus and drink your favorite beer (or wine) along the way. Each route has optional stops at some of Austin’s best watering holes.

The PubCrawler can be booked for group tours year-round, anytime between 10:00 am and 10:00 pm daily.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me Eleven recipes waiting (and more)!

Learn to cook like chefs Tom Moorman and Larry McGuire with the new Elizabeth Street Café cookbook

mcguiremoorman.com

Elizabeth Street Café Cookbook - Christmas in Austin

Elizabeth Street Café is one of the Buie & Co. team’s favorite restaurants in Austin, so when we heard the team behind the eatery was releasing a cookbook, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on it.

There are actually far more than 11 French-inspired Vietnamese recipes in the cookbook – 100 to be exact – from Chefs Tom Moorman & Larry McGuire, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and pastries.

Pick up a copy for yourself or the foodie or chef in your life. You won’t regret it!

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me Twelve dillos shopping (for last-minute gifts)!

Still looking for that perfect present? The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is open until 10pm!

armadillobazaar.com

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar - Christmas in Austin

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is a true Austin tradition. This art and music festival features more than 150 artists and attracts approximately 40,000 shoppers each year.

You can find art, handmade gifts, heirloom pieces and stocking stuffers all while listening to great local music and enjoying a cold beverage.

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is open until 10:00 pm tonight at the Palmer Events Center. Entry is $8 for adults; kids 12 and under get in free.