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GiftingMap saves the season with a list of great gifts under $100

Everyone's favorite insulated cups get a natural makeover.

Photo courtesy of Corkcicle

Let's face it: the holidays are an expensive time. Chances are good that you also have a lot of people to shop for, so finding a deal is the icing on the fruitcake.

Luckily, GiftingMap's offerings span a wide range of prices, with something affordable for everyone on your nice list. If you've already shopped for most of the men and women in your life but are still looking to pick up something under $100, we've got a couple options at the ready.

And if you're hoping that whoever's out there shopping for you is picking the right items, help make sure by taking a GiftingMap quiz and sending them your preferences. From now through December 25, exchange gift guide quizzes with three friends and you'll be entered to win a shopping spree worth up to $500 for yourself and $100 each for your trio.

Bird Dog Bay sock sets
Put your best festive foot forward with playful pima cotton socks featuring Santa hat-wearing sock monkeys, "candy canines," and good ol' Rudolph. For something he can wear year-round, check out the Don't Mess With Texas set, which includes the Texas flag, longhorns, and the Texas star.

Corkcicle walnut wood collection
Now your favorite insulated cups have a warm woodgrain pattern with a sleek, matte finish. Crafted from stainless steel with proprietary triple insulation, the vacuum-sealed tumblers, stemless wine glasses, and canteens keeps beverages cold for more than nine hours and hot for three.

Leslie de la Mora earrings
Handmade out of Houston and brand-new to the site, these gold vermeil earrings are a find for fashionistas. The extremely lightweight jewelry — seriously, you'll forget you're wearing them — is wrapped with a single deerhide tassel and adorned with a labradorite charm.

Native Maps
Show your city pride with a hand-pulled screen print on 100-percent recycled, acid-free, 100-pound paper from French Paper Company. Gold foil prints of Austin, Dallas, and Houston are 16" x 20" and standard prints are 18"x 24", and each has the option to be framed in a reclaimed wood frame.

Niven Morgan Destination candles
From Aspen to Marrakech to Cape Town, Niven Morgan has traveled the world to capture the essence of exotic locales. If you're already a fan of his #hashtag candles, you'll know that his candles last an impressive 60 hours.

Purple Lily boho scarf
Perfect for that friend who's always cold. A blend of polyester and viscose makes this extra-long scarf supremely soft, while the tassels add a touch of whimsy.

shopping promoted luxury holidays

UTOPIA ON THE WATER

Own a piece of Utopia with this Hill Country riverfront retreat listed for $2.5M

Photo courtesy of Foster Farm & Ranch.

The 12-acre property is located in Utopia, Texas, about 350 miles southwest of Dallas.

Have you ever wanted to buy a retreat or say you own a slice of Utopia? Now’s your chance – the Utopia River Retreat, a remarkable 12-acre property on the Sabinal River in Utopia, Texas has hit the market for $2.5 million.

The secluded, tree-filled, riverfront estate boasts nine guest cabins and "the Fortress," a historic lodge that can sleep 12 guests.

Each cabin has its own full kitchen, living space, and covered porch. Three cabins have two bedrooms that can host up to six guests, and six cabins are single-bedroom that can sleep up to four guests.

The property has been a sought-after wedding destination since the first wedding ceremony took place there in 1861. The only structure on the land at the time was a stone fort, which has since been converted into the Fortress.

Other features of the Fortress include:

Two master suites
Three semi-private lofts
A full kitchen
Fireplace
Wrap-around porch
Original stonework on display

Another highlighted feature of the property is the renovated hay barn. The previous owners turned it into a bespoke event space with an open floor plan, wood beam ceilings, a stone fireplace, and attached deck. Also around the barn is a large green space and a covered gazebo with a breathtaking view of the Sabinal river.

The Utopia River Retreat sale is facilitated by Chad Foster, the founder and broker of Uvalde-based real estate group Foster Farm and Ranch.

“With its current amenities and space for expansion, Utopia River Retreat provides potential buyers with a lot of entrepreneurial opportunities,” said Foster in a press release. “The event space, cabins, and renovated fort make Utopia River Retreat a great addition to any real estate portfolio.”

As investors are snatching up properties left and right for the next wedding venue or event space, the Utopia River Retreat is touted as the next hidden gem in a booming wedding industry. The Knot estimates a Texas couple’s average wedding budget is between $24,000 and $30,000. Texas couples are also more likely to put 30 percent of their wedding budget towards a perfect venue for their special day.

Even outside of wedding season, the estate can host family vacations, reunions, and corporate retreats, and more.

The town of Utopia is located 90 miles west of San Antonio and 350 miles southwest of Dallas.

More information about the property can be found at the Utopia River Retreat website, and more information about the listing can be found at Foster Farm and Ranch’s website.

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