Get Gifting

Check this list twice for holiday gift ideas you can only get in Texas

Make it a wrap on holiday shopping.

Photo by Elena Noviello/Getty

It's time to get a jump on your holiday shopping, and you probably have a varied list of tastes, budgets, and interests to accommodate.

This gift guide takes all that into account, with a wide range of suggestions for an even wider range of friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, babysitters, pet sitters, tutors ... well, you get the idea.

From festive experiences to cozy clothing, the best presents are right here. You might even finish your shopping early this year, which is perhaps the best present of all.

DSO Holiday Pops Photo courtesy of DSO

Dallas Symphony Orchestra concerts
Hear the sounds of the season with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with a trio of festive concerts. At Christmas Pops, December 6-15, the DSO performs such holiday favorites as "Joy to the World," "Jingle Bells," and more.

Kings ReJoyce on December 11 invites audiences to experience the magic of multi-Grammy Award-winning opera vocalist Joyce DiDonato. She joins forces with Dallas vocal group Kings Return and pianist Craig Terry for a night of festive carols and seasonal classics.

Your holiday spirit will be overflowing December 20-22 when you experience Elf in Concert. The Christmas film classic is accompanied by a live symphony orchestra.

Looking ahead to the New Year, Enrico Lopez-Yañez leads the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through the epic music of Star Wars on January 3-4, 2025. Prepare for an intergalactic experience featuring John Williams’ iconic scores, including “Revenge of the Sith,” the heroic “Star Wars Main Title,” and the intense “Duel of the Fates.” From the thrilling space battles to the epic journeys of beloved characters, this special two-night concert will bring the excitement and grandeur of the Star Wars saga to life.

Grapevine ice rink Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB

Grapevine Peace Plaza Ice Rink
Get festive this season in Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas. Ice skate under the stars and the twinkling lights of a 60-foot live Christmas tree at Peace Plaza Ice Rink, presented by Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine. Considered "the Rockefeller Center of the Southwest," this Texas-sized, high-quality ice rink offers a magical skating experience right on Peace Plaza, in front of the stunning Grapevine Main Station. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or trying it out for the first time, there’s nothing quite like gliding on ice surrounded by festive lights, Christmas music, and the sparkle of Grapevine at Christmas. It's $20 per person for a one-hour session (ice skates included), or $500 for a private hour for up to 50 people.

The ice rink is just one highlight this season in the Christmas Capital of Texas, with more than 1,400 events happening over 40 days. After a fun-filled skate, warm up at Harvest Hall and enjoy bites from 10 international kitchens and cocktails at the Holly Jolly Bar at Third Rail. Stroll along Historic Main Street, adorned with millions of twinkling lights, and check off your Christmas list at the locally owned boutiques, check out the art galleries, people watch at the bistros and cafés, and sip wines on the Urban Wine Trail. Make sure you stop at various photo opps along the way, from Hometown Christmas to Toyland.

For more information on all the experiences in the Christmas Capital of Texas, including Gaylord Texan Resort’s ICE! and Meow Wolf’s The Unreal Winter, and to book a getaway at one of Grapevine's 20 hotels, visit ChristmasCapitalofTexas.com.

Plaza at Preston Center holiday Photo courtesy of Plaza at Preston Center

Plaza at Preston Center
Come explore one of Dallas’ premier open-air shopping centers, where everyday holiday shopping is transformed into an elegant experience.

You can't go wrong with gift cards to il Bracco and True Food Kitchen — or stopping in for a bite during a shopping sesh. Luminary Lifestyle stocks clothing, accessories, and home décor, covering a lot of bases in one store. And don't forget about four-legged family members! Lucky Dog Barkery has all the treats, toys, and even apparel a fur baby could wish for.

Camp Aspen sweartshirt Photo courtesy of Camp Aspen

Camp Aspen elevated loungewear
Aspen is where scenic majesty is bookended by frozen winter wonderlands and sun-dappled summers; townie charms easily intersect with fabulous global luxury; mountain purity meets playful debauchery; and adventure junkies hobnob with opulence connoisseurs.

But the place with almost everything was, until recently, missing one special something: a premium and playful lifestyle brand to celebrate the destination year-round. Hence, Camp Aspen elevated loungewear, co-founded by Houston siblings Maidie and Patrick Ryan.

Camp Aspen elevated loungewear is designed to embody the spirit of this timelessly cool Colorado destination while playing into the whimsical nostalgia of sleepaway camps so deeply rooted within a sizable Texan contingent that has now made Aspen its home away from home.

Its Range collection nods to an iconic way to get around Aspen. The Range crewneck sweatshirt, in particular, has twice sold out online, so with this latest restock the brand enhanced its desirability even further. It has been luxuriously upgraded with a sleeker logo patch on the back and a more indulgent, 100-percent cotton fabrication. Available in Aspen green (obvi), summit white, and the new midnight blue.

Holiday espresso martini Photo courtesy of Valencia Hotel Collection

Valencia Hotel Collection Holiday Packages
Make this season truly unique with two exclusive packages crafted to bring a touch of holiday magic to your stay. Experience the charm of the boutique hotels located in Austin, College Station, Las Colinas, Lubbock, and San Antonio, each offering a distinctive blend of luxury, style, and warm hospitality.

The Holiday Sweets package invites you to relax in luxurious guest room accommodations and savor two praline-infused signature holiday cocktails or mocktails, perfect for setting a festive mood.

For a more indulgent experience, The Sweet Holiday Escape package includes guest room accommodations, a delightful holiday breakfast at the hotel restaurant, and two praline-infused cocktails or mocktails to make your stay even sweeter.

Whether you’re looking for a festive retreat or a cozy getaway, these packages offer the perfect blend of seasonal warmth and luxury in the inviting atmosphere of these boutique hotels. Celebrate the season in style and book your holiday escape today.

Elevate your holiday gifting with the luxury of Valencia Hotel Collection. Choose eGift cards for memorable stays or shop Valencia at Home for signature scent candles and sprays, bedding, and more.

gift guide shopping holidays promoted

Fun times in the city

Dallas swings a spot on new list of most fun cities in U.S. for 2024

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Dallas just wants to have fun, according to WalletHub's new ranking of the most fun cities in America in 2024.

The annual report ranked Dallas No. 31 out of 182 U.S. cities.

WalletHub's experts compared each city using 65 metrics to determine their level of "fun." Metrics were split among three main categories: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and cost.

According to the study's findings, Dallas was 24th nationally in the category for nightlife and parties, and ranked No. 39 in the "entertainment and recreation" category. That may be especially alluring for anyone who wants to explore the city's vast entertainment opportunities (especially during the holiday season), family-friendly recreational activities, top dining destinations, and more. Plus, Dallas is home to entertainment juggernauts like the State Fair of Texas and TopGolf.

Dallas performed poorly in the overall cost category, earning No. 114 out of all 182 cities. However, this category mostly compares flat costs rather than affordability based on local cost of living.

Potential new Dallasites should do their research before deciding to move here, rather than basing their decision on short trips and vacations alone. But we won't blame them for wanting to live in one of the best cities in the world.

"The top cities offer affordable options for year-round fun for their residents, which is good for residents’ wallets and their mental health," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo in the report.

Austin (No. 6) and Houston (No. 9) were the only Texas cities to earn a spot in the top 10 most fun U.S. cities list. Austin moved up one spot from last year, while Houston made a 10-place jump.

Other fun-filled Texas cities that made it in the top 100 are El Paso (No. 53), Fort Worth (No. 55), Plano (No. 78), Arlington (No. 79), and Corpus Christi (No. 99).

The top 10 most fun U.S. cities are:

No. 1 – Las Vegas, Nevada
No. 2 – Orlando, Florida
No. 3 – Miami, Florida
No. 4 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 5 – New Orleans, Louisiana
No. 6 – Austin, Texas
No. 7 – San Francisco, California
No. 8 – Chicago, Illinois
No. 9 – Houston, Texas
No. 10 – New York City, New York

Cities were evaluated based on the number of attractions per capita, nightlife activities per capita, the average prices for eating at a restaurant or buying a movie ticket, and more. Data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, The Trust for Public Land, and the Council for Community and Economic Research, among others.

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