Bring On the Christmas Lights, North Texas, Let’s Do This!
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I know that you, like me, immediately put away the turkey and dressing on November 29, cleaned up the dishes — because let’s be real, nobody’s doing the dishes after the Cowboys win — put away the “Tom the Turkey” inflatable in the yard, took down the Fall wreath, the leaf decor, and all the pumpkin spice-scent candles. And started busting out Christmas.
If you didn’t do this, then you probably didn’t host Thanksgiving and you may have started busting out Christmas in mid-November, in which case I salute you. If you didn’t do this because you don’t decorate at all, or you don’t maximize your holiday decoration time for the sheer ridiculous joy of it, I get it, I used to be you. Now I have 3 trees, as many lights as I can safely install, and a growing family of towering inflatables. I used to scoff at people like me.
When I started dating my husband, John, my cold, dark little heart was just as cynical and snide as you could find, but I thought I was witty, and that everyone was that way. We went on our first date right before Christmastime, and he was driving through the neighborhood around Brookhaven Country Club on the way to dinner. We passed a street where there used to be this cul de sac that always went all out with their holiday lights.
John’s face just lit up, and he said, “Hey, do you want to see some really great lights?” Without even stopping to think about I said, “No,” and laughed. What a child. We’d be late for dinner.
I look back on that now and laugh at myself. What an idiot I was. I wish we’d stopped. The dinner was amazing, but the lights are gone. The folks who lived in the house that anchored the cul de sac moved away and they don’t do the big display anymore. But John’s big, open heart rubbed off on my sad broken one in more ways than one, and by the time I was lucky enough to marry him, I was all in on not just Christmas but all the holidays.
So, without further ado, let’s have some fun North Texas! We’ve got Santa; we’ve got Christmas lights, we’ve got the biggest durn tree in North America, and we’re just getting started!
FALALA Lakewood
What: This toy drive benefitting the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center features Santa on parade through Lakewood, collecting toys, and greeting kids through the neighborhood. Join Santa at the final stop at Lakewood Elementary for Wendover Wonderland where there will be a fabulous party with Santa.
When: Saturday, Dec. 7 from 2 to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Lakewood, Dallas (see website for parade route)
More Info: Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
Electric Lizzyland in Hollywood Heights
What: Some neighbors and neighborhoods wade into the pool of seasonal cheer. Then some dive straight into the deep end, head first.
The latter would be Liz Simmons and Hollywood Heights. If you’ve never experienced Electric Lizzyland, well, you have not experienced the true spirit of Christmas.
Simmons makes everything you see herself, and there is something new to discover each year. “I have things that pop into my head. I woke up one year at 2 in the morning and said I’m going to make dioramas. Then I wanted a taxidermy rat. Things hit me, and there I go.” The display showcases about 100,000 lights, plus Simmons creations, and it’s different every year.
When: Through December from about 6 to 8:30 p.m., weather permitting
Where: 714 Newell
More Info: Electric Lizzyland
Dallas Galleria Christmas Tree
What: Now you may be all, “Ho hum, I already know about that.” But do you really? Did you know that the tree at the Galleria is, in fact the nation’s tallest indoor tree at a whopping 95 feet tall? It takes 50 people to put it together over five days, and it has 250,000 lights and 15,000 ornaments. The star on top is ten feet tall and weighs a hundred pounds. And you can skate around it! Plus they have all kinds of special events and photo ops and an ice show — it’s gonna be magical.
When: Through December
Where: Dallas Galleria
More Info: Dallas Galleria Holiday
If you do anything this holiday season, I hope you take a look around and let a little joy and magic in. Times are tough, but it’s amazing what some sparkly lights and maybe a 12 foot blow up snowman might do.
