Food
December 22, 2023
Deck the Halls and Pass the Ham: Texas Monthly’s Christmas Menu
In need of another side option or a festive cocktail (or two)? Our Christmas menu is packed with sweet and savory holiday comfort.
Christmas
BBQ Recipes
December 20, 2023
How to Use Leftover Christmas Brisket
Once the holiday is over, what will you do with all that smoked meat and how will you cook with as little effort as possible next week? Come with us, and we’ll show you three smart and easy recipes.
Texas History
December 19, 2023
The Thorny History of the Poinsettia’s Namesake
Joel R. Poinsett, the first American minister to Mexico, was supposed to help the U.S. buy Texas. He meddled in local politics instead.
Film & TV
December 15, 2023
Where Are All the Great Texas Christmas Movies?
Christmastime in Texas has inspired countless songs, but when it comes to classic holiday movies, we’ve long been left in the cold.
Style & Design
December 14, 2023
Come Let Us Adore This Woman’s Collection of Nearly 600 Nativity Sets
A Port Lavacan has traveled the state in search of baby Jesus and his menagerie, and her massive haul is now on view.
Music
December 13, 2023
How Pentatonix Turned “Hallelujah” From a Horny Anthem Into a Christmas Standard
The Arlington a capella group stood before the lord of song, declaring “Hallelujah” to be holiday music.
Style & Design
December 7, 2023
How Houston Ballet Brings 1,750 ‘Nutcracker’ Costumes to Life
For its big-butted bumblebees, hairy rats, and Sugar Plum dancers, the festive ballet requires complex wigs and opulent costumes, many of which need to be zipped on or off in seconds.
Style & Design
December 5, 2023
Retired El Paso “Elves” Are Keeping the Art of Wooden Toy Making Alive
The Woodworkers Club of El Paso has donated thousands of handmade toys to military families in need. You can shop its charming creations too.
Politics & Policy
November 30, 2023
The Texas House Chamber Is the Latest Victim of the War on Christmas
Traditionally, the capitol building has housed a gigantic tree. This year's is much more meager.
Music
November 29, 2023
The Philadelphia Eagles Covered Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper” for Christmas. We Regret to Inform Cowboys Fans That It Slaps.
With Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield singing harmonies, to boot.
Style & Design
November 22, 2023
The Top 25 Texas Gifts of 2023
Leather-wrapped lowballs! Sea turtle adoptions! A Blue Bell ice cream charm! Behold, our favorite present ideas for this holiday season.
Style & Design
December 16, 2022
Inside the Most Cutthroat Christmas-Light Contest in Texas
In Windcrest, just outside San Antonio, local homeowners compete with no-holds-barred holiday yard displays that bring 25,000 visitors to town each year.
Style & Design
December 16, 2022
19 Barbecue-Themed Ornaments for Trimming Your Christmas Tree
Show off your obsession for smoked meat and its accoutrements during the holiday season with cute, curated decor.
Style & Design
December 14, 2022
Muggles Descend on Galveston’s Harry Potter–Themed Christmas Market
Locals kitted out in wizard robes to shop for wands, chocolate frogs, and Hogwarts-themed holiday ornaments.
Recipes
December 14, 2022
Pumpkin Roll
Getting tired of pie? Switch it up with this classic dessert that still incorporates the holiday favorite filling of pumpkin and spices.
Style & Design
December 2, 2022
This Merry Texan Keeps Hundreds of Santas in Her Safe Room
Kerville’s Lecia Hawkins has amassed enough mid-century Christmas decor to cover the North Pole.
Style & Design
December 1, 2022
Where to Buy Texas Ornaments for Your Christmas Tree, Y’all
All the baubles you need for a Willie nice holiday.
Style & Design
November 30, 2022
11 Texan Small Businesses to Shop This Holiday Season
With silk pillows, quill pens, and rhinestone cowboy boot ornaments, these shops across the state have a special gift for everyone on your list.
Style & Design
November 25, 2022
The Top 24 Texas Gifts of 2022
From cocktail napkins to children’s books, lingerie to cowboy boots, these are our favorite presents for Texans and Tex-stans this year.
Style & Design
November 9, 2022
The 13 Cheeriest Christmas Markets Across Texas
Get your holiday shopping done at a Nutcracker market in Houston, a Hogwarts village in Galveston, or any of the festivals happening this season.
Style & Design
October 27, 2022
The Best Florists in Texas, According to Interior Designers
Insider advice for ordering wreaths and centerpieces, whether you’re getting ahead of decorating this season or not.
Film & TV
December 17, 2021
Texas Monthly Recommends: A Contemplative, Beautifully Shot Western
‘The Power of the Dog,’ featuring Dallas-born Jesse Plemons, is well worth your time.
Being Texan
December 16, 2021
‘The Twelve Days of Christmas,’ Texas Edition
Twelve tamales steaming, eleven Longhorns losing . . . and thirty to fifty feral hogs.
Being Texan
December 15, 2021
All I Want for Christmas . . . Is You
When a grown-up son visits for the holiday, a mom takes what she can get.
Travel & Outdoors
November 26, 2021
From Small-town Squares to Drive-through Lights, Where to Take in the Holidays This Year
Texans can see a living nativity at a cowboy church, take in animal-shaped lights at a big-city zoo, or ride a train to the North Pole.
Best Thing in Texas
November 2, 2021
Mariah Carey Armors Up Against a Dallas Bar’s War on Christmas
A bar decreed “All I Want for Christmas Is You” non grata, and the queen of Christmas isn’t happy about it.
Being Texan
December 24, 2019
Miss Girard’s Christmas Gift
When her former student was found wandering the streets a decade after she’d last seen him, Michell Girard immediately agreed to take him in. Then she decided to do far more, including give him the Christmas he’d never had.
Travel & Outdoors
December 17, 2019
Austin’s Roadside Christmas Trees, Ranked From Most to Least Rage-Inducing
I spent some quality time with those decorated cedar trees along Loop 360 to see if I could get in the holiday spirit.
Travel & Outdoors
November 27, 2019
These Holiday Celebrations Across Texas Will Get You in the Spirit
Where to ring in the season, from small-town parades to yuletide train trips to glorious light displays.
Food
November 27, 2019
Holiday Recipes and More
Celebrate this holiday season with the one thing that brings all communities together—food. From the history of tamales at Christmas, to the perfect wine to pair with each dish, to a bevy of Instant Pot recipes and a Christmas tree made of best wurst, this holiday collection from Texas Monthly
Travel & Outdoors
November 24, 2018
Where to Celebrate the Holidays Across Texas
From small-town Christmas light shows and a Polar Express train ride to festive wine tastings, there are many ways to enjoy the season.
The Daily Post
December 23, 2017
Why Austinites Should Stop Decorating Cedar Trees for the Holidays
A beloved tradition? Please. It’s just littering.
The Texanist
December 23, 2017
The Texanist: What’s the Deal With Tamales and Christmas?
A Dallasite wonders how something so tasty, so filling, and so pre-Christian came to be a holiday staple.
Travel & Outdoors
December 12, 2017
Find Holiday Spirit in the Small Towns of Texas
Catch the Polar Express, visit the Grinch, or have your own 'It's a Wonderful Life' moment in a festive town square.
The Daily Post
December 7, 2017
The Grinch Targeted Whataburger, But Seguin Police Are on the Case
Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. But it could come from Whataburger.
The Daily Post
December 9, 2016
An Interview With The Mall Of America’s First Black Santa
After spending four days at the Mall of America, Santa Larry is back in Texas to continue spreading holiday cheer.
Music
November 17, 2016
Exclusive Premiere: Hayes Carll, Shinyribs, and Bob Schneider Go Acoustic for the Holidays
A forthcoming playlist from Amazon Music features a wide range of artists—including three prominent Texas acts—with their takes on 'Acoustic Christmas.'
True Crime
December 23, 2015
Just Desserts
Sandy Jenkins was a quiet accountant at the Collin Street Bakery who felt overlooked and dreamed of living the good life. He found it (for a while) by embezzling nearly $17 million from the famed fruitcake maker.
Politics & Policy
December 17, 2015
Sid Miller Is Having Quite A Week
The Agricultural Commissioner wants to slap anybody who wishes him “happy holidays,” but rewards employees with $400,000 in bonuses.
The Daily Post
December 14, 2015
People Sure Do Spend A Lot Of Money On Christmas In Texas
Seven of the ten cities that spend the most on Christmas are right here in Texas.
Books
December 11, 2015
Bestselling Author Shea Serrano Is Live Tweeting Giving Out $100 Bills To Fast Food Workers
The bestselling author of 'The Rap Yearbook' is sharing his success with fast food workers and thrift store customers.
The Daily Post
December 22, 2014
A Whataburger Customer Gave The Lady At The Drive Thru A $10,000 Mink Coat
‘Tis the season for giving random gifts to random people, apparently.
Art
November 22, 2013
This Video Holiday Greeting From George W. And Laura Bush Is Actually Pretty Charming
No matter how you feel about him, hearing the former President declare, "Well, uh, I've become a, uh, painter" over the faint strains of "Good King Wencelas" is pretty darn charming.
Music
January 21, 2013
Santa Claus Busted at Sierra Blanca
Or so says the new Christmas song by singer-songwriter Kevin Fowler, who talks about his new holiday track, "Santa Got Busted by the Border Patrol."
January 21, 2013
Allen, TX, Asks Lance Armstrong to Race in a “Rudolph Run!”
The city has since apologized for its letter inviting the disgraced athlete to compete in the 5K race, which made light of Armstrong's doping by comparing it to Rudolph's nose.
Food & Drink
January 20, 2013
Cook Your Goose!
Turn your holiday dinner into a moth-waatering master-feast with these new recipes from Stay Canyon chef Stephan Pyles.
Recipes
January 20, 2013
Barbecued Roast Goose with Cornbread-Oyster Stuffing
For the main course, baste roast goose with a savory barbecue sauce and stuff it lavishly with cornbread and oysters.1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 cup chopped yellow onion 2 tablespoons celery, diced 2 tablespoons carrot, diced 2 serrano chiles, seeded and minced 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup dry white
Recipes
January 20, 2013
A Texas-Style Christmas: Feast Meets West
If traditional holiday meals leave you hungry for something new, you’ll devour the dishes that Dallas chef Dean Fearing has prepared.
Food & Drink
January 20, 2013
Ciao Down for Christmas
Savoring Christmas in Beaumont.
Food & Drink
January 20, 2013
Formal Christmas Coffee
Houston caterer Byron Franklin’s holiday coffee reflects his Texas upbringing and years of study in Vienna. Franklin, born and raised in Baytown, has no formula or fixed menus for his clients, but his own tastes run to the traditional and formal. “Everybody is different,” says Franklin. “My philosophy is, regardless