Texas may not be the snowiest place on earth, but what it lacks in flurries, it makes up for with Christmas spirit. The Lone Star State goes big this time of the year with Christmas traditions you may not find elsewhere.
Celebrations
Texas is home to countless activities and events to mark the holiday season. North Texas, in particular, will traditionally see stores and malls lit up, live music permeating the streets, and the scent of spiced drinks wafting through the air.
Visit Santa at the NorthPark Center until Christmas Eve, starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and noon on Sunday, or enjoy depictions of 12 Days of Christmas until December 31 at the Holiday at the Arboretum.
Food
Texas loves classic Christmas dishes; dressing, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes are common on dinner tables around the state. While turkey is common, too, it may be of the tastier fried variety and not baked.
The region’s cultural influences have also brought tamales to the dining table. The Texas staple has a long history dating back to ancient Mesoamerica.
Finally, leave room for a slice of pumpkin or pecan pie, a state favorite, following a Christmas feast.
Attire
Most state residents maintain two pairs of cowboy boots; one is typically reserved for day-to-day activities, like work, and the second fancier pair is usually set aside for special occasions, like Christmas.
Boots pair well with a formal cowboy hat and favorite belt buckle. A bolo, also known as a shoestring necktie, is also common. Bolos are a cord or braided leather strap with decorative tips and an ornamental slide or clasp that sits beneath the collar.
Decor
Is everything bigger in Texas? Often, yes.
In fact, the Galleria mall in Dallas boasts the tallest indoor tree in the entire country.
It is not uncommon to witness larger-than-life trees showing off state pride in the form of Texas-themed ornaments, like cowboy boots.
Texas does not hold back on Christmas lights either. It is no surprise that the best Christmas light displays in the country are found in the Lone Star State, specifically in North Texas. The lights here are so impressive that local DFW homes have even been showcased on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight.
Luminaries are also popular this time of year. The typically small paper lantern, often arranged in long rows, was adopted from the state’s Spanish influence.
You can also find wreaths on front doors in the state, but they may be made of barbed wire instead of foliage typically found elsewhere.
Santa is undoubtedly enjoying Christmas traditions in the Lone Star State, too. However, do not be alarmed if Saint Nick has replaced his stocking cap with an authentic cowboy hat.
