5 Local Picks for Mother's Day in Austin

This Mother’s Day, shop small and support Austin businesses when they need you most - Mom will love it! We’ve rounded up some sweet gift ideas for Mom (including dog moms!) that are easy to get, even when you’re staying home.

Zilker Bark’s image for Send a Puppy

1. Send Mom a Puppy: Mom will love this gift and she doesn’t have to clean up any mess! Austin’s favorite dog photographers Zilker Bark have teamed up with HEB for their new “Send a Puppy” program. It’s easy to go - simply visit their site and for only $5 you can send an adorable puppy photo to someone special. The best part? It helps raise money for Meals on Wheels.

2. More cheese, please: The perfect gift for the foodie parent, Antonelli’s Cheese Shop is now offering virtual cheese tasting classes so mom can enjoy her bites wherever she may be. Antonelli’s is offering four types of classes: 1) Private tastings for groups of 20 with video chat (perfect for the whole family!). 2) Check out a class via Facebook Live every Wednesday 6-7pm. 3) A special meet-the-maker class co-hosted by John Antonelli. 4) Cheese 101 in a Box - the best option for shipping.

Photo provided by Mozart’s Coffee.

3. Tea time: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters has prepared ADORABLE Mother’s Day High Tea & Coffee boxes just in time for the big day. Need something a little boozy? Check out their “Cake by the Lake” and pair your cake with a bottle of bubbly or wine.

4. Local love: One of our favorite shops, Parts & Labour, is offering a variety of ways to shop their store while staying safe. You can book a private shopping session, shop online and pick up curbside, or shop in-store with a limited-amount of customers to keep it cool and safe. Favorite items from Parts & Labour include this incredible cat tote bag (shout out to cat moms!), cute hoops, and Texas necklace.

5. Brunch to-go: Can’t take mom out to brunch? Bring brunch to mom! The ABGB is offering a family-style brunch box that includes an avocado toast sampler (yum!), muffins, bottle of bubbly, orange juice (can’t forget that for mimosas!), strawberries, and chocolate truffles. Time to spoil mom, she deserves it!

Limited Edition T-Shirts Help Austin Small Business Community

The generous folks at Fine Southern Gentlemen have launched their Austin Will Survive online store, helping small businesses raise funds during the times of Coronavirus. You’ll see lots of favorites and friends on this list, like Toy Joy, Cheer Up Charlies, Blue Velvet, White Horse, and yours truly. Shirts are only available for a two-week period (so shameless plug - grab your Good Party shirt today!) and are a stylish way to support your local community.

Austin for Aussies raises money for Australian Animals

We did it! Thank you, Austin! We recently hosted Austin for Aussie Animals, a fundraiser for Australian animals hurt by the recent drought and fires. Thanks to the support of the community, Good Party, ZilkerBark, and Central Machine Works were able to donate over $4,700 to WIRES. We partied hard with Tiny Tails to You Traveling Petting Zoo, Girlfriend ATX, dog tarot readings, ZilkerBark photos, custom t-shirts by Texas Rich, and an epic raffle with items from local businesses. We couldn’t do it without, thanks for giving a damn y’all. Check out our photo album, and stay tuned for more events that give back!

Photo by ZilkerBark

Austin for Aussie Animals

We’re throwing a party to help Australian animals, and you’re invited!

We want to do all we can to help aid the animals affected by the Australian brushfire, and thankfully we have great friends that are helping out! Austin for Aussie Animals will feature roaming photos by ZilkerBark, music from GirlFriend ATX, Tiny Tails to You Austin's Traveling Petting Zoo, dog tarot readings (by us!), drink specials, and a feel-good fundraising raffle. Friendly, leashed dogs welcome!

Join the fun on Saturday, February 1, 11am-3pm at Central Machine Works. Donations requested for the petting zoo, dog tarot, and raffle.

Want to volunteer or donate to the raffle? Join Good Party ATX | Connect or shoot us an email let us know! We appreciate your support, let’s do it for the koalas!

Artwork by Jenna Krackenberger.

About WIRES: WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.) has been rescuing and caring for wildlife for over 30 years and is the largest wildlife rescue organization in Australia. Help us give them some extra support during this brushfire crisis!

10 Austin Events that Give Back this Weekend

Who’s ready to party? We’re all about self care and self love after seeing the incredible LIZZO at ACL Festival this past weekend, and these events will leave you feeling good and they’ll help others in the community. Let’s go!

Photo courtesy of Chris McInnis, Austin Facial Hair Club / Dog Beard & Mustache Competition

FRIDAY

Harvest Moon Festival: Serenade

Kick off your weekend with music from Nakia, Matt Alber, and many more. Benefiting Hill Country Ride for Aids and Equality Texas. Zach Scott Theatre, 5:30pm

Community Cinema: The Monster Squad

Nothing like a watching a classic flick for Halloween, and even better when it's at Community First Village and helping Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Community First Village, 6:30pm

SATURDAY

Pet-Toberfest

A celebration of our four-legged friends, expect to see pet-friendly vendors, a festive parade, costumes, adoptable dogs, plus weiner dog races from Central Texas Dachshund Rescue. The Domain, 10am

Self Care Saturday

Frida Friday ATX is throwing a party to help you take care of YOU. Come out and treat yo self with music from DJ Chorizo Funk, drag performances honoring LIZZO, local makers and more. Benefiting Aids Services of Austin and La Q. Symphony Square, 6pm

Dog Beard and Mustache Competition

Austin Facial Hair Club returns for the sixth year of this epic competition, and you never know what you’ll see. Chihuahua with a mohawk? Schnauzer with a handlebar ‘stache? MAYBE! You don’t have to have a dog to attend, but maybe you’ll fall for an adoptable pup from Bully Ranch. The Little Darlin’, 2pm

Yoga for a Cause

Ever tried downward dog or tree pose while listening to LIZZO? Well now you can while also raising money for Breast Cancer Resource Center. Double win. Yoga Pod Austin, 3pm

SUNDAY

Tap Backs for Ta-Tas - LOVE Cycling

Spin class that gives back to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, we’ll peddle for that! Instructor Bryan Gonzalez leads the class, inspired by his own mother and her experience with breast cancer. LOVE Cycling Studio, 10:30am

Wrinkle Monster Mash

Head south for Austin Bulldog Rescue’s Halloween fundraiser, with adoptable pups, whisky cocktails, and all of the underbites and mush faces you can handle. Still Austin Whisky Co, 2pm

Passport to the World

A family-friendly fall festival celebrating diverse music and cultures with Austin Sister Cities International. Austin Public Library, 1pm

Austin Brown Dogs Book Launch

It’s a party to celebrate Austin’s shelter dogs and the new book AUSTIN BROWN DOGS: THE SHELTER DOGS WHO RESCUE US. Come root for the underdog and support local stories! Batch - Craft Beer and Kolaches, 2pm