All families have holiday traditions. When you move, you take them with you. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room to add a few more. Moving to a new home is the perfect time to create new traditions in keeping with your new life. Need some ideas? Here are a few dreamed up by Sierra Vista residents:
Christmas Eve Surprise
Surprise children with a beautifully wrapped box filled with items that can be used for a family activity on Christmas Eve. For example, fill it with popcorn, hot chocolate and a new Christmas movie. If your new home has a fire pit, fill the box with marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate for a s’mores party. A box filled with matching pajamas and a series of holiday-themed books makes for a great story hour.
Outdoor Décor
Light up your new neighborhood with a dazzling outdoor holiday display. If you have an HOA, make sure you understand the guidelines for holiday decorating then go to town. Many communities hold yard decorating competitions, but if yours doesn’t, organize one and make it a yearly tradition.
Cookie Exchange
Host a holiday cookie exchange with neighbors or friends. For more fun, choose a theme such as classic Christmas recipes or great cereal cookie bakes. You can even host an adult cookie exchange by challenging the grown-ups to bring cookies that can be paired with wine.
Give Back to the Community
The holidays should be a time of giving, and what better way to do that than by giving back to your new community? Find a local charity like a food pantry or soup kitchen. Ask if they have jobs everyone in the family can do, then sign up. If your family likes to get outdoors, participate in a charity run. Take the kids Christmas shopping for families in need.
Buy a Special Ornament
Your Christmas tree can become a record of your family’s most treasured memories. Each year, add ornaments that represent significant events or milestones from that year. This could include moving into your new home, travel destinations, new family members or major accomplishments.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Plan a holiday-themed scavenger hunt for family and friends. This can be done indoors or outdoors and is a great way to add an element of excitement to the season.
DIY Ornaments
Craft ornaments for your tree. An easy way to do this is by mixing up salt dough, cutting out shapes with cookie cutters and painting them when dry. Each year, try a different craft such as making gingerbread houses out of felt or angels out of egg cartons.
Choose a Holiday Event
Your new home is probably in a new neighborhood. Get to know it better by participating in a holiday event such as a tree lighting, parade or performance by a local school. If there is time, present the family with multiple events and have each member choose the activity they would enjoy the most.
Create a Gratitude Jar
Create a family gratitude jar. Throughout the holiday season, write down things you’re grateful for or wishes for the upcoming year and place them in the jar. Read them together on New Year’s Eve.
Family Photo Session
Schedule a family photo session in front of your decorated home or at a nearby scenic spot. Use the photos for holiday cards or simply as a way to capture memories of your time in your new home.
Make Holiday Memories in Sierra Vista
Get a head start on next year’s holiday traditions by purchasing a new home in Sierra Vista. Visit us today.
With the new H-E-B open near Sierra Vista in Manvel Town Center, you may be wondering if you should shop there for the holidays. It’s a resounding “yes” from us. H-E-B has everything you need to prepare a delicious holiday meal plus a few extras everyone loves. What are they? Take a look:
Spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the holidays when you let H-E-B prepare your feast for you. The market started accepting Thanksgiving orders Nov. 13 and there’s still plenty of time to reserve yours. Meals include turkey and four traditional sides. H-E-B offers curbside and home delivery.
Cafe Olé by H-E-B Christmas in a Cup
Whether you’re serving morning coffee to holiday guests or as an accompaniment to pie, this medium-bodied brew has all the flavors of the season, including warm spices and notes of vanilla.
No post-Christmas caroling party is complete without a cup of cocoa paired with these sweet and buttery-tasting cinnamon sugar cookies. They go fast, so make sure you stock up.
H‑E‑B Deli Fruit, Meat & Cheese Board
Don’t slave away composing a charcuterie board. H-E-B has several pre-made options available like this one featuring Double Crème Brie, artisan cheddar, Italian dry salami dried apricots, fresh grapes and berries.
Meal Simple by H‑E‑B Fresh Cajun Style Whole Turkey
Ready to cook in a roasting pan with a Cajun-spice rub and dollops of Cajun-style blackened butter under the skin, this turkey is so easy to prepare. Your guests will be asking for seconds and thirds.
H-E-B Creamy Creations Egg Nog Joy
Serve this creamy treat with your favorite pie or during a midnight refrigerator run. There are no artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup. Get it now because when the holidays are over, so is this ice cream.
Give guests something to snack on while they wait for dinner to be served. This trail mix tastes like fall with cinnamon yogurt pretzel balls, natural apple-flavored pecans, dried sweetened cranberries and yogurt drops.
Need a gluten-free dessert? May we suggest tamales? Made with cinnamon, cream cheese and freshly ground masa, these dessert tamales will brighten anyone’s holidays.
You don’t have to hit your local gardening center for beautiful poinsettias, just pick up a few when you purchase your turkey. The colorful flowers are grown locally in the Texas Hill Country by Klepac Greenhouses, a third-generation floriculture operation. That means you support local growers and get beautiful decorations.
Sierra Vista residents love guests. Maybe it’s because their homes offer plenty of space for entertaining or they love showing off their amazing community. Whatever their reasons, with the holiday season underway, they are prepping for a household full of family and friends. If you are, too, here are some tips for making guests feel welcome:
Make Plans and Communicate
Talk to your guests in advance to confirm their arrival and departure dates. If they are flying in, offer to pick them up at the airport. If not, be sure to let them know where they can park. Ask if there are food allergies or dietary restrictions you should be aware of and discuss the favorite foods of younger guests. Ask them if there is anything they would like to see or do. Mark everything on your calendar or create a spreadsheet.
Tidy Up
Spare rooms and closets tend to accumulate items. Clear them out so your guests have room to store their belongings.
Make Them Comfortable
Ensure that your guests have comfortable sleeping arrangements. If you have a guest room, make sure you provide extra blankets. If you don’t or some of your guests will be sharing a room, be sure to have an air mattress or pull-out sofa available.
Stock Up on Essentials
Stock extra toilet paper, towels and soap. If your guests are staying longer than a few days, be prepared to do extra loads of laundry. Stock up on basic groceries and snacks.
Create a Welcome Basket
Greet your guests with a basket full of snacks, bottles of water, extra toothbrushes and a list of nearby attractions. Include any information they might need, such as the Wi-Fi password and emergency contact numbers. If you have room, set up a coffee station in the guest room. That way early rises won’t be fumbling around in the kitchen.
Guests Deserve Privacy
You don’t have to spend every minute with your guests. Respect their privacy and give them some downtime. Communicate your schedule and any plans you have, so they can feel comfortable making their own plans.
Plan Meals in Advance
Make life easier on yourself by planning ahead of time. You will need breakfast, lunch and dinner options. For breakfasts and lunches, consider creating build-your-own breakfast and lunch bars. If you have time, prepare one or two dinners in advance and freeze them. That way all you must do is pop a casserole in the oven.
It’s Okay to Ask for Help
Don’t feel obligated to do everything. Ask guests to contribute to meals. If they will be staying for a while, assign them simple household chores so you have more time to prepare the holiday meal.
Be Flexible and Considerate
Understand that guests may have their own plans or may want some downtime. Be flexible with your schedule. Be considerate of their needs and check in with them to ensure they’re comfortable and enjoying their stay.
Halloween is a time for creativity and fun, and what’s more adorable than seeing our furry friends dressed up in adorable costumes? If you’re looking for some “pup-u-lar” costume ideas for your four-legged Fido, here’s are some howling good ones.
Up, Up and Away
Show everyone how super your pup is with a superhero costume. With a cute cape and emblem, your furry friend will be ready to save the day as Batman, Superman, Dr. Strange or whoever your favorite superhero might be.
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Invite your pooch to share your favorite fandom. Star Wars costumes are all the rage and it’s easy to find Chewbacca, Yoda, Jedi and even Bantha costumes.
Favorite Foods
Taco terrier anyone? Turn your pet into a delightful food item like a hot dog, taco or sushi. Choose your favorite or choose your dog’s — either way you are sure to get some laughs.
Film Fanatics
You can also opt for costumes inspired by famous movie characters like Harry Potter, Indiana Jones or Sherlock Holmes.
Innocent Insects
Dress your dog up as a cute insect. There are plenty to choose from. Maybe a beautiful bulldog bee? How about a spider shar pei?
Classic Monsters
Go for classic Halloween monsters like Dracula, Werewolf or a mummy. These costumes are spooky yet charming when worn by pets.
Funny Animal Swap
Got a big dog? Dress him up as a lobster. What small dog wouldn’t love a lion’s mane? For a simple costume purchase a dog-sized shark fin.
Keep in Mind
When dressing up your furry friend, remember to consider their comfort and safety. Make sure the costume fits properly, doesn’t restrict their movement and doesn’t have small parts that could be a choking hazard. Keep an eye on your pet while they’re in costume, and if they show signs of distress, it’s best to let them enjoy the Halloween festivities au naturel.
It’s finally happening — the highly anticipated H-E-B grocery store in Manvel Town Center is now open! This is great news for Sierra Vista residents who are now just a hop, skip and a jump away from those fabulous tortillas!
If you are new to Texas, you might not understand why this is such a big deal. No worries. Here’s a primer on all the reasons Texans love H-E-B:
The Tortillas
You can’t talk about H-E-B without mentioning the house-made tortillas. All H-E-B stores feature tortillerias that churn out fresh flour and corn tortillas daily. You can buy them warm from the oven. Pick some up for Taco Tuesdays!
Great Customer Service
H-E-B is known for its excellent customer service. Shoppers often praise the friendly and helpful staff, who go out of their way to assist customers and create a welcoming atmosphere.
Support Local Businesses
H-E-B stocks a wide range of products from local Texas vendors. It’s a great place to find Texan-made goods and support local businesses.
Always Fresh
H-E-B prides itself on offering fresh produce, high-quality meats and a wide variety of groceries. The deli and bakery sections are known for their fresh and delicious offerings, from freshly baked bread to ready-to-eat meals, making it a convenient place for quick and tasty food options.
Always Affordable
H-E-B frequently runs promotions, sales and special offers, helping customers save money on their grocery bills. The store’s private label, H-E-B, offers an excellent balance of quality and affordability. Make sure to watch for their Combo Locos deals!
Commitment to Sustainability
H-E-B has taken steps to reduce its environmental footprint and promote sustainability. This resonates with customers who appreciate a company’s efforts to protect the environment.
Serving the Community
H-E-B is deeply committed to the communities it serves. The company is involved in numerous charitable initiatives and regularly supports local organizations and causes.
Another Reason to Move to Sierra Vista
The presence of an H-E-B is just one of many reasons to consider purchasing a new home in Sierra Vista. You’ll also have access to great amenities, great schools and friendly neighbors. Visit us today.
