Articles Tagged "holidays"

Have you left some of your holiday shopping until the last minute? You're not alone! Life gets busy this time of year, and sometimes the holidays arrive sooner than you think. Thankfully, Round Rock is home to plenty of local businesses where you can find unique and useful gifts for everyone on your list. Here are a few local shops our real estate agents recommend for your last-minute shopping.

• The Mercantile on Main: 109 E. Main Street, Round Rock, TX 78664
  The Mercantile on Main is a boutique gift shop that carries many different products, from candles to coffee mugs. Most items are made by local artisans and businesses. This is a great shop to visit for stocking stuffers and small items, as they have a great collection of dip mixes, sauces, natural cosmetics, and jewelry.
  
  If you're shipping gifts to someone out of town, The Mercantile on Main offers lots of unique, Texas-themed items. A coffee mug that says "Round Rock, Texas" will make most anyone smile. 
  
  
• Mays Street Boutique: 2001 N. Mays Street, Round Rock, TX 78664
  Mays Street Boutique is a great shop to visit for clothing, shoes, jewelry, and home decor. They have a great selection of loungewear, maxi dresses, and flannels. If your recipient is trying to decorate a home, this is the place to go for unique wall art and decor.
  
  This boutique carries Bridgewater items in the best-selling scent, Sweet Grace. With notes of passion fruit and sparkling tea, it's a scent anyone on your list is sure to love. They carry car air fresheners, sachets, room sprays, bath bombs, and more.
  
  
• 3 Star Candy Shop: 113 E. Main Street, Round Rock, TX 78664
  Who doesn't love candy? As a locally-owned candy store, 3 Star Candy Shop is the perfect place to stop for last-minute holiday gifts. They carry more than 500 types of sweets including chocolates, hard candies, retro candies, and sour treats.
  
  In addition to candy, this shop sells 49 different types of root beer and 17 different cream sodas. An assortment of small-brand sodas would make a lovely gift for someone with a sweet tooth. Make sure you pick up something sweet for yourself while you're there, too.
  
  
• The Bell Collection: 214 N. Lampasas Street, Round Rock, TX 78664
  Take a break from looking at Round Rock homes for sale, and stop by The Bell Collection to do some holiday shopping. This local store sells unique jewelry for everyone on your list. They offer bell pendants, bracelets, earrings, and more.
  
  The Bell Collection is also known for its jewelry gift sets. The sets come with a sterling silver necklace chain, a polishing cloth, and a uniquely crafted bell pendant made in Italy.
  
  
• Rhae: 306 W. Main Street, Suite 11, Round Rock, TX 78664
  Rhae is a boutique apparel store specializing in size-inclusive styles. They carry a lovely assortment of apparel for women of all sizes, and they also have a good selection of beauty items, home decor, and accessories.
  
  Rhae is a great place to pick up a few holiday ornaments or some holiday cards. The lip balms and bronzers from Glam & Grace make wonderful stocking stuffers.

Round Rock is lucky to have so many wonderful, locally-owned shops to provide last-minute holiday gifts. This is one reason so many people love living here! If you're thinking about moving, please contact us to learn more about our real estate services.

Giving back is one of the best ways to celebrate the holidays. Join our real estate agents in showing gratitude this holiday season with a donation of time or money to one or more of these worthy causes around Central Texas.

• Meals on Wheels of Williamson & Burnet Counties - Alan R. Baca Senior Center, 301 W. Bagdad, Bldg. 2, Round Rock, TX 78665 
  Help make the holidays festive for seniors and disabled adults near Round Rock homes for sale. Contribute to or volunteer for Meals on Wheels of Williamson & Burnet Counties, which delivers nearly a quarter of a million meals each year. In addition to providing nutritious dining, volunteers with Meals on Wheels offer opportunities for social engagement to people who are restricted to their own homes.
  
  
• Round Rock Area Serving Center - 1099 E. Main St., Round Rock, TX 78664
  Do you want to contribute time or money, but you're not sure what would be your best fit? Round Rock Area Serving Center is a multipurpose resource with a mission to give "a helping hand for neighbors and food for the hungry." Opportunities include working in their on-site thrift shop or food pantry, or you can conduct your own food drive or other charitable function. Drop off donations of money or food between 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
  
  
• Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter - 1855 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown, TX 78626
  Our four-legged friends also need some holiday love. The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is the only organization dedicated to rescuing lost and abandoned animals around Georgetown homes for sale. This year, the shelter is in need of volunteers more than ever. The minimum age is 12, so families can spend quality time together caring for rescued dogs and cats. You may even find yourself taking home a new member! Shelter hours are noon - 6 p.m. daily.
  
  
• Habitat for Humanity - 2108 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown, TX 78626
  For many disadvantaged families, a home of their own can feel like an unattainable dream. Help these families find stability and security by supporting Habitat for Humanity. This iconic organization works to create affordable housing for everyone. No experience is required to work in the field building homes. You can also work at or shop in ReStore, their home improvement store with deeply discounted building materials, furniture, appliances, and decor. Office hours are weekdays from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., while ReStore is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
  
  
• Senior Access - 2498 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, TX 78665
  Aging happens to everyone, but it doesn't have to mean a loss of independence. Senior Access allows seniors to maintain their own homes by providing transportation via volunteer drivers. Their Senior Buddy program pairs clients with volunteers who run errands, make weekly check-in calls and add some much-needed social interaction. Consider giving a monetary donation or volunteering. 

Want to be a part of the amazing community around Round Rock and Central Texas? Contact us at RE/MAX Capital City for knowledgeable help buying or selling a home. 

The holidays are almost here, and this year our area's small businesses need our support more than ever! Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for that special someone or something special for yourself, there are plenty of great options right here in the Cedar Park area. 

Our real estate agents love telling new residents about all their favorite local shops. Whether you want to wait for Small Business Saturday or you're ready to start now, we recommend paying a visit to each of these shops. 

• Beau Kisses: 1310 E Whitestone Blvd #540, Cedar Park, TX 78613
  If you're looking for unique gifts for all your friends and family members, you'll want to check out Beau Kisses. This adorable shop carries a wide variety of clothing, accessories, bath and body products, candles, home decor, seasonal items, and more. If you can't decide, a gift card makes a great stocking stuffer! 

• Honey & Hay: 2800 E Whitestone Blvd #105, Cedar Park, TX
  A one-stop shop of curated treasures, Honey & Hay carries a variety of home decor, furnishings, clothing, jewelry, baby items, gifts, and more. The owners of this shop are passionate about finding unique pieces, and you never know what you're going to find here. If you buy one of the beautiful Cedar Park homes for sale, Honey & Hay is sure to become one of your favorites! 

• Jacks Mountain Self-Care Co.: 2423 S. Bell Blvd. Suite A, Cedar Park, TX 78613
  Do you know someone who needs a bit of pampering? If so, a gift from Jacks Mountain Self-Care Co. is a great idea! This store carries an incredible selection of herbal teas, essential and infused oils, bath soaks, salves, and more. Want to give a gift that keeps on giving? Check out their monthly Herbal Care Packages. 

• Titan Moon Comics: 1540 Cypress Creek Road Suite #108, Cedar Park, TX 78613
  If you have a comic book fan on your shopping list you are bound to find something they'll love at Titan Moon Comics. This local store offers a little bit of everything including comic books, Funkos, Magic the Gathering cards, and collectible supplies. Not sure what your giftee already has in their collection? You can't go wrong with a gift card! 

• Hill Country Water Gardens: 1407 N Bell Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
  Need a gift for the gardener in your life? Or looking for something to spruce up your home? Check out Hill Country Water Gardens. This is the area's go-to shop for beautiful pottery, plants, fountains, art, sculptures, and more. Even if you don't know much about gardening, you'll still be able to choose a great gift. The staff here is super friendly and knowledgeable and will be happy to help you impress that special someone. 

The great shopping options are just one of the many things to love about living in the Cedar Park area. If you're ready to find your dream home here, we can help. Contact us today to discuss your goals. 

The holiday season is on its way, and many homeowners are thinking about how to bring their favorite seasonal scents into their homes.  

Scented candles are the obvious solution, but what if you prefer a natural aroma instead? Our real estate agents use the five methods described below to create an enticing atmosphere in many of our Round Rock homes for sale around the holidays.

• Decorate with Plants
  Fresh trees play a big part in many people's holiday traditions, and their crisp, natural scent is unmistakable. If you aren't ready to put up a full-sized Christmas tree just yet, bringing some fresh-cut tree branches into your house will give you the same aroma without all of the hassles. While the classic choice is pine, many other types of coniferous trees work well for this too, including cedar, cypress, and spruce. 
  
  
• Start a Simmer Pot 
  A simmer pot is like an old-fashioned stovetop air freshener. This technique is hundreds of years old and uses water vapor to spread pleasant scents throughout your house. To make your own simmer pot, place some fragrant items (orange peels, cloves, and cinnamon work well, especially together) in a pot of shallow water. Put that pot on the stove and allow the water to heat up to a gentle simmer, then wait for the scent to spread. You can keep a simmer pot going for as long as you like – just make sure to top up the water periodically so you don't burn the other contents.  
  
  
• Make Your Own Potpourri 
  Potpourri is a great holiday scent solution because it doubles as a festive decoration. There are many versions available on store shelves, but it's so easy to make your own that you may as well give it a try. Start with a base of dried flowers, fruit, and greenery, then mix it with scented oils to strengthen the fixture's scent profile. Choose your components based on both how pretty they look and how well their scents mix together. Some popular holiday potpourri components include cranberry, cinnamon, evergreen, and poinsettia petals. 
  
  
• Use Essential Oils 
  Essential oils are made from the concentrated essence of plants, fruits, and other substances, so they produce very strong scents. You can use an oil diffuser or your humidifier to easily spread these scents throughout your house, mixing them as desired until you get the perfect festive fragrance. So which types of oils should you use? Classic festive oils like orange and pine work great, but you can also try out some other thematically appropriate scents.
   
• Do Some Baking 
  There is nothing quite so enticing as the smell of freshly baked goodies, so why even try to replicate it? Get the real thing by whipping up a batch of snickerdoodle cookies, fruitcake, gingerbread squares, or whatever holiday treat you prefer. The scent of warm sugar, butter, and spices will linger in your house for hours, and you and your family will also get to enjoy the delicious treat you've made.  

The holidays won't be here forever, so make the most of the festive season while it lasts. Try out some of our festive scent ideas to make your home feel warm and inviting as the cooler weather sets in – and if you're still looking for a home around Round Rock, remember that our real estate expertise is always available to you. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you find an idyllic home to host family celebrations for years to come.