Unusual Aggie gifts for 2024

Here are some of my favorites from around town. Prices range from $250 to $5!

$12 tour of Kyle Field

On weekdays, you can tour Kyle Field for only $12! The website currently lists dates through Dec. 5, but 12th Man Foundation confirmed they will continue tours in the spring, so you could make a little gift certificate and let your giftee pick out their own date. Weekday tours can vary but generally include the Hall of Champions, a suite, a view of the stadium from the highest level, the sideline and access to the track around the field, where you can take photos.

Century Tree seedlings available in 2025

After my friend Andy Duffie ’78 passed away, his Aggie Century Tree Project closed. But his neighbor Sutton Turner ’93 has successfully germinated Century Tree acorns, and like Andy, will be selling them to raise Texas A&M scholarship funds! Contact him to order a seedling available in August 2025 (1-year-old is $250; no shipping available; pick up in College Station).

Toy train from TXAG Store, $13

A sweet gift for the kid you’re training to be an Aggie baseball fan, this toy train is sold by what’s most likely the oldest independent business on Northgate, the TXAG Store, which opened in 1969 as the Texas Aggie Book Store. Pick yourself up an Ol’ Sarge hat while you’re shopping!

Texas A&M University Press books

The Texas A&M University Press puts out an incredible range of books. Here are some recent publications and an old friend or two: “Standing Ready,” by John Adams ’73, tells the story of A&M’s 12th Man, E. King Gill, and the first golden era of Aggie football. “Picnic,” by Dave Thomas ’93, chronicles decades of Willie Nelson’s July Fourth tradition. “A Naturalist’s Guide to the Texas Hill Country” shows 300 species of plants and animals in color. And I love giving copies of “Reveille” as gifts! (More Aggie books in my 2023 post.)

Gifts from A&M’s Rosenthal Meat Center

The Rosenthal Meat Center at Texas A&M is part of the Department of Animal Science. Its Aggie Tenderloin Steak Box, pictured, is $89, but steak seasoning is $5, jalapeño-cheese jerky sticks are $5.50 and a big jar of Aggie Honey is $18. Shop all products in their online store!

Business marketplace by Aggie students

Texas A&M’s McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship hosts students’ startups and small businesses in their Student Marketplace. 12th Brand branding irons support Brazos Valley veterans; Memory Team will convert your prized DVD, cassette, Hi 8, V8 or VHS memories to digital format; JigSaw ‘Em Off puzzles benefit OnRamp; Aggieland Aces‘ playing cards benefit the Aggieland Humane Society; and Maroon & Metal trinkets benefit the Brazos Valley Food Bank.