Whiskey, Tequila, and Tinsel: A Texan Guide to Holiday Survival

Ah, the holidays—a magical time when your house fills with the scent of baked goods, Mariah Carey takes over the radio, and your relatives ask you, for the hundredth time, when you're going to "settle down" or "get a real job." It's enough to make anyone want to cozy up with a stiff drink. That’s right, folks—this holiday season, I’m suggesting you survive with a little buzz, courtesy of Texas’s finest liquor gift sets.

Now, I’m not talking about getting full-on sloppy at the family dinner table (though Uncle Randy might deserve it). I’m saying a sip here and there can take the edge off the stress of endless shopping, ugly sweater parties, and inescapable Christmas card guilt. And if you’re gonna sip, you might as well do it with something proudly Texan.

The Boozy Gifts You Didn’t Know You Needed:

TX Whiskey Holiday Trio

Made in Fort Worth, TX Whiskey brings a smooth, slightly sweet taste that goes great in hot toddies or neat by the fire. Their holiday trio gift set includes three 375ml bottles of their signature whiskey, bourbon, and blended flavors. Perfect for the whiskey aficionado—or the cousin who still talks about that one semester abroad in Scotland.

Where to buy: www.txwhiskey.com

Tito’s Handmade Vodka Copper Mug Set

Austin’s iconic Tito’s Handmade Vodka knows how to elevate a gift game. Their gift set includes a bottle of their award-winning vodka and two branded copper mugs, so you’re fully equipped for Moscow Mules all season long. Plus, they’re dog lovers—proceeds go to animal charities.

Where to buy: www.titosvodka.com

Balcones Baby Blue Bourbon Box

If you’re a bourbon lover, Waco-based Balcones Distilling has you covered. Their Baby Blue Bourbon is made from blue corn and tastes like Texas in a bottle. Their holiday box includes a bottle and two tasting glasses, perfect for showing your out-of-town in-laws that not everything in Texas is fried—some of it’s distilled.

Where to buy: www.balconesdistilling.com

Drinking Your Way Through the Festivities

Picture it: you’re wrapping presents (read: stuffing gift bags because ribbons are hard) with a glass of TX Whiskey in hand. You’re at your in-laws’, smiling through Aunt Janet’s casserole critique, but Tito’s is keeping you calm. Suddenly, the holidays don’t feel so overwhelming—they feel… manageable. Fun, even.

And let’s not forget the gifting potential here. Show up with a Balcones box set, and you’re the family favorite. Mail a Lone Star sampler to your tequila-loving friend, and they’ll probably invite you to their New Year’s party. These Texas treasures are gifts that say, “I care about you—and also about good booze.”

Tipsy, But Make It Responsible

Now, before you go ho-ho-hog wild, remember: moderation is key. Hydrate between glasses, designate a driver, and for the love of everything holy, don’t drunkenly text your ex under the mistletoe. The goal here is holiday cheer, not holiday regrets.

So, grab yourself a Texas liquor gift set, sip away the stress, and let the holidays roll on. Because nothing says "I survived December" like a merry buzz and a well-chosen bottle.

Cheers, y’all. Stay jolly, and stay Texan.