Nothing says “the holidays” like the smell of freshly baked cookies, and the season’s fondest memories are often made in the kitchen. Whether it is decorating sugar cookies or making gingerbread houses, baking is as timeless as the holidays. So, dust off those aprons and get those sprinkles shaking because it’s time for some fun!
The first treat on our list of classic confections has become an all-time favorite family tradition. Biscochitos are a shortbread-
Next, we have a classic: The Gingerbread House. The gingerbread mix is diverse in that you can make a beautiful gingerbread home or a fun-filled gingerbread family! Decorating both is equally as fun but we got to say, it’s much easier to eat the cookies than an architectural masterpiece.
Have you ever made your own fudge before? If so, you know how good it feels to eat homemade fudge. If you haven’t, that’s because the chef eats it before you can because it’s that good. We’re joking, of course, because not only is fudge fun to make but it also makes a perfect holiday gift! Pack it in a decorative tin, and it’ll stay fresh for at least a week.
Last but certainly not least, the festive and elegant linzer cookie. You can fill these little beauties with a wide variety of fruit fillings, but this particular recipe calls for that festive red raspberry jam. There’s nothing elegant about eating the entire batch of cookies in 2 days, but here we are making one of our favorite holiday treats.
We could honestly go on and on with different fun treats like sugar cookies, apple pies, candy-cane brownies, cinnamon rolls, truffles – but we don’t have all day. We’ve got the perfect
With the kids home for the holidays during winter break and Christmas right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking of fun holiday activities you can do with even your youngest kiddos. Besides staying in, baking, crafting and watching movies, sometimes it’s fun to just get out of the house. Spend some quality time with the kids this holiday season with these fun family friendly events in and around the greater Houston area.
Kicking off the Children’s Museum of Houston’s holiday season is Santa and his Reinsteer (yes – you read that right)! Dust off those rodeo boots and mosey on over the Children’s Museum of Houston on Dec. 17 to meet Santa and his trusty Texan “
Stroll through the beautiful Houston Zoo with stunning lighting displays to light your way during Zoo Lights. Journey through the Holiday Train Village, the Enchanted Forest and around the giant Holiday Tree for a night of holiday cheer. Be sure to visit “Candy,” the Zoo Lights zebra – we hear she was made with a little holiday magic!
Every Saturday in December, the George Ranch Historical Park hosts Christmas in the Park. Travel through Christmas pasts and explore the customs and decorations from 1830s to the 1930s. Stop by the 1860s Ryon Prairie Home for a Christmas treat or visit Santa’s temporary workshop at the 1930s “Bach House.” Special holiday activity classes will be held from 11 a.m-2 p.m. every Saturday in December until Christmas and are sure to be heaps of fun!
Glide beneath the glittering lights of downtown Houston and embrace the holiday season with ICE! Every year, Discovery Green is home to ICE– a pop-up ice skating rink that lasts throughout the month of December. On the days that the kids are home from school, ICE at Discovery Green extends their hours so you can make the most of the kids’ winter vacation. Bring a group for a discounted rate or make it a special day with the family for an unforgettable holiday experience.
These are just a few of the fun holiday events that can be found around Sierra Vista. Sierra Vista offers a convenient location along the Highway 288 corridor with access to dozens of other fun holiday events and activities throughout the greater Houston area. Keep an eye on the Sierra Vista Facebook page for more events close to home!
Decorating the home is always something our family looks forward to year after year (and we’re sure our new Sierra Vista homeowners are excited about decorating their new home). Our homes become a winter wonderland, and we always have a blast putting everything up. This year, add a personal touch to your décor with these trendy and elegant DIY tips and tricks.
This winter, white is in! It sounds simple but white snow and fake furs complement a home’s white walls and make for a wonderful winter wonderland! But no white décor is complete without bold pops of red such as cranberries, red plaid and even pomegranates! Fruit and berries add a rustic yet elegant touch to your home’s modern décor.
Red fruits aren’t the only options this holiday season. Go natural with a modern twist on holiday décor. Interior designer Tobi Fairley suggests using fresh evergreen boughs, garlands and wreaths combined with in-season citrus like lemons, tangerines and oranges. This green-and-citrus-centered color palette is sure to impress — all the while giving your home a beautiful natural atmosphere and a wonderful citrus scent! Plus, finding supplies is as easy as going to the grocery store.
String lighting has come a long way over the past couple of years. A trip to your local craft store can yield some incredible finds. Most decorative wire and micro lighting come accompanied with a battery pack, which opens the door to countless new lighting opportunities. From the fireplace mantle to the kitchen centerpiece, add a little sparkle to any area of the home.
Gold is always in when it comes to Christmas décor and as it turns out, gilding is much easier and more fun than you’d expect! Take any fruit, pinecone, Christmas ornament, etc., and give it a golden touch with this fun and easy tutorial. Let the gold pieces accent your main colors (perhaps the white and red) for an elegant tone throughout the home.
How will you make your home the perfect home for the holidays?
Ideally situated along the Highway 288 corridor, Sierra Vista is located just around the corner from Pearland and about 20 minutes away from downtown Houston. Recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, Pearland is home to a thriving culinary scene, a variety of unique shopping opportunities, beautiful natural environments and a handful of exciting annual events.
One of those annual events is the Hometown Christmas Festival Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1. The festival is kicked off by the stunning illumination of the city’s Christmas tree. Friday, experience the tree lighting, live music, snow in the H-E-B Winter Wonderland and carriage rides that take you through the beautiful Pearland Town Center. On Saturday, come back down for the Holiday Gift Market, local performances, milk and cookies with Santa, and much more during the Pearland Hometown Christmas Festival.
Closing out the festival is the Hometown Christmas Parade, which begins at 6 p.m Saturday at Old Alvin Road. This is the 37th year the city has put on this event, and this year’s theme is “Pearland 125: Past, Present, and Future. This refers to the city’s upcoming 125th anniversary marking the “kick-off of a year-long Quasquicentennial celebration” in 2019.
Start the holiday season off right with the nearby City of Pearland during their Hometown Christmas Festival and Parade. Then keep the holiday cheer going with Sierra Vista: Your Home for the Holidays.
