Well, buttercup, guess what? We’re finally getting close to MY time of the year! Halloween is today and tomorrow officially begins the countdown to Christmas for my family. Now, don’t get your panties into a wad we are still celebrating one #Holiday at a time and no, I’m not skipping Thanksgiving I have plenty to share on it.
But let me tell you, I have been counting down the days! Halloween is almost over, and I made it! I survived another spooky season without having to hide under the bed. LOL Which at times I wanted to do just to get away from my family and the drama that happened at times. At least I didn’t have to hide under there the entire month! 😂Although Pheobie says we should have. LOL
Now, before you think I’m putting away all my Halloween goodies and turning into Mrs. Claus overnight, let me stop you right there. I’m not quite finished with Halloween. I wanted one more trip to Denton, but it isn’t in the cards this year. Nor, will I get to go look at houses decorated because Charlie is out of Town and David is working and that is okay because my foot is bother me so I will be able to let it rest and get better as I wait for Charlie to come home.
While I’m resting that doesn’t mean I can’t start dreaming about Christmas! Does it? I’m already thinking about twinkling lights, little Texas towns dressed up for the holidays, Christmas shopping, family traditions, holiday shows, and all those special moments that make this time of year feel a little more magical. But there is also Thanksgiving I can’t wait to celebrate and #football for David.
So, buttercup, it’s time to find your comfiest blanket, grab your favorite mug, and make yourself a cup of hot chocolate. Don’t forget your favorite Christmas book, a few snacks, and, of course, your favorite Hallmark Christmas movies. Because if we’re going to celebrate the season, we might as well get comfortable while we’re doing it! And there’s one more thing I want close by: my Bible.
I’m not here to preach at anybody or tell you how you should celebrate Christmas. That’s a personal matter between you and the Lord. But for me, I want to make sure that in the middle of all the shopping, decorating, movies, events, and holiday excitement, I don’t forget the One who makes this season so meaningful to me.
I want to remember the Lord and keep Him close to my heart throughout all the celebrations. After all, amid the hustle and bustle, I never want to get so caught up in everything we’re doing that I forget the reason for the season. I also want to make sure David and Charlie don’t forget it.
This holiday season, I’m getting ready to take Greatful Moments on a little Christmas adventure around the Dallas-Fort Worth area! We’re going to explore communities throughout North Texas, discovering the Christmas celebrations, local businesses, holiday attractions, and family traditions that make each town special.
We’re starting with the idea of visiting places close to home and then venturing out to discover some communities we may not have explored as much. From Grapevine, known as the Christmas Capital of Texas, to Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Richland Hills, North Richland Hills, Haltom City, Riverside, Southlake, Keller, Watauga, Flower Mound, Roanoke, Burleson, Joshua, Cleburne, and Denton, there are plenty of places to discover!
And we’re not stopping there. Arlington, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Granbury, Irving, Fort Worth, and Dallas are also on our Christmas radar. Some places may deserve their own article, while others might be perfect for a roundup featuring several neighboring communities. We’ll see what we discover along the way!
I want to find the kinds of places and experiences that make families want to get out of the house, spend time together, and make memories. The most important part of this series is for families to spend time together and not have to spend money all the time. But to make memories and get of electronics for a bit. Which my family needs to do as well.
Here are just a few things we’ll be looking for:
- Christmas lights: Neighborhood displays, walk-through light shows, decorated town squares, and beautiful holiday destinations.
- Christmas festivals and markets: Local celebrations, Christmas shopping, handmade gifts, vendors, and seasonal treats.
- Santa Claus: Where families can visit Santa, take pictures, and let the little ones share their Christmas wishes.
- Free Christmas fun: Community celebrations, tree lightings, parades, and activities that don’t require a big holiday budget.
- Holiday entertainment: Christmas concerts, theater productions, movies, live performances, and special events.
- Local businesses: Little shops, bakeries, boutiques, restaurants, and mom-and-pop businesses that deserve a little Christmas attention.
- Family adventures: Places to explore, things to do, and experiences that might turn into a new family tradition.
We’ll share the practical details, too, including dates, times, locations, admission costs, parking information, and links so you can plan your own visit. Because there’s nothing worse than getting everybody bundled up and ready for a Christmas adventure only to discover you arrived on the wrong day!
Here’s where you come in. I don’t want this to be just me telling you where to go and what to see. I’d love for you to help us discover some of the Christmas traditions and special events happening around North Texas. Or what your family does to celebrate Christmas.
Is there a little Christmas festival you look forward to every year? A neighborhood with beautiful Christmas lights? A local shop that goes all out for the holidays? Maybe there’s a Christmas parade, a holiday market, a free family event, or a special performance that you think everybody should know about. Tell me!
You can leave your suggestions in the comments or send Greatful Moments a message. If you’re sharing an event, please include the town, event name, dates, times, and a website or link where we can find the details. And if you’re a local business owner, community organizer, or someone who helps put together these holiday celebrations, we’d love to hear from you, too!
There are towns around North Texas I haven’t had the opportunity to explore yet. There are businesses I haven’t discovered and Christmas traditions I haven’t experienced. That’s part of what makes this adventure exciting. Who knows? Maybe we’ll discover a new favorite place, meet some wonderful local business owners, or receive an invitation to come out and experience a community’s Christmas celebration.
I’d love for this series to become a place where our readers and local communities can share what makes their hometown special during the holidays. Now, if you’re wondering what I’m doing while I’m waiting for Halloween to wrap up, I’ll tell you. I’m getting ready to unpack my bag from Halloween and repack it for Christmas! 😂
You know how it goes. One minute, we’re talking pumpkins, bats, spooky decorations, and Halloween adventures. The next minute, we’re thinking about Christmas lights, holiday books, shopping lists, and where we can find the best cup of hot chocolate or Christmas coffee for David and Charlie.
Of course, I’m not throwing Halloween out the window just yet. I still have something I want to do, and I’m looking forward to it. But I’m also counting down the days until I can officially settle into my favorite time of year. So come and help me prepare for this year.
And yes, I’ll be making room for those Hallmark movies, too. You can’t have a proper Christmas season without a little romance, a charming small town, a snow-covered street that somehow looks perfect, and somebody discovering what really matters before the movie ends!
Even here in Texas, where we may be wearing short sleeves one day and wondering where the cold weather came from the next, we can still make our own Christmas magic. So bring on the lights, the local festivals, the Christmas books, the family outings, the holiday treats, and the memories waiting to be made. Just remember to leave a little room for gratitude, kindness, family, and faith along the way.
So, buttercup, tell me: Are you still hanging on to Halloween, or are you already counting down to Christmas? Are your Christmas decorations still packed away, or have you been sneaking a few things out already? Because even though I shouldn’t I have. Just don’t tell Charlie. And most importantly, what North Texas Christmas event should we put on our list? I’d love to hear from you!
For now, I’ll be enjoying my last little bit of Halloween, planning our upcoming North Texas Christmas adventures, and getting ready to share some festive places and experiences with you here at Greatful Moments. Grab your blanket, warm up that hot chocolate, pick out a Christmas book, and keep your Bible close if that’s part of your tradition, too. We’re getting ready for a season of grateful, thankful, and blessed moments. And, buttercup, I have a feeling we’re going to find plenty of them! ❤️🎄
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
