Sam’s Picks for Holiday Fun

Looking for a few new ways to spark the “Christmas spirit” in your family? Then be sure to check out these holiday attractions and experience a little ‘North Pole’ magic without having to leave the metroplex.

Gift of Lights

When you think of Christmas, the last thing that probably enters your mind is the Texas Motor Speedway. But the people behind the “Gift of Lights” are hoping to change that. For the first time ever, the Texas Motor Speedway is home to a 1.7 mile light display that runs underneath the stadium seating at the track.

The dazzling holiday displays are made with over 1 million energy-efficient LED lights. And families can drive the route and experience sparkling holiday displays all within the comfort of their own cars. And no light show would complete without a visit from Santa. So be sure to stop off for hot chocolate, concessions and a photo opportunity with Mr. Claus along the way.

The light park will be open from November 23^rd thru January 1^st. Hours of operation are Monday -Thursday, 5:30 – 9 p.m., and Friday – Sunday, 5:30-10 p.m. Admission is $15 per vehicle Monday-Thursday and $20 per vehicle Friday-Sunday. Details and discounts are available by visiting the event website at www.texasgiftoflights.com

ICE! at the Gaylord

Even though we had a record heat wave this summer, Grapevine has managed to create a giant wonderland made completely of 2 million pounds of ice. This year, Gaylord Texan’s popular holiday attraction returns with an all-new theme: ICE! featuring DreamWorks’ Shrek the Halls™.

ICE! is created by dozens of artisans who migrate to the Dallas / Ft. Worth area each year from Harbin, China to craft this elaborate attraction that takes one of month of 12-hour shifts to build. Visitors to ICE! stroll through rooms of intricately carved ice at a cool 9 degrees. Parkas are provided, but dress warm and bring gloves. The exhibit includes four ice slides, a nativity scene, and lots of Shrek characters.

ICE! will be open daily from Friday, November 11^th through Monday, January 1^st. Prices vary by date and age. Also be sure to check out the Kung Fu Panda Snow Tubing. Visit www.gaylordhotels.com for details.

Grapevine, The Christmas Capital of Texas

With over 1,400 events, Grapevine has earned their title. Nightly Carol of Lights and the Light Show Spectacular at the Gazebo, the North Pole Express on the Vintage Railroad, and the Parade of Lights are just a few of the fun events your family can enjoy this holiday season.

New to Grapevine this year is the North Pole Express Skating Rink located in the Cotton Belt Railroad District just off Main Street. Adults and kids can lace up their skates and glide around the 1,650 square foot rink.

As the visitor’s bureau says, Grapevine is the essence of the Christmas holiday decor. With a blanket of sparkly lights, animated characters, numerous events, and great shopping for everyone on your list- this city is a must see! Visit www.grapevinetexasusa.com for details and dates.

Christmas memories last a lifetime. What are your favorite Christmas traditions? What new ones are you planning on creating this year?

Note: All photos are courtesy of the website listed for each activity, except for the “ICE!” photos- those are mine.

meet our contributors

Victorya Rogers

Victorya Michaels Rogers is a Life & Love Coach, equipping women to create and keep healthy relationships. Rogers’ authored four books, including Finding a Man Worth Keeping and The Automatic 2nd Date. Her latest release is the DVD “Straight Talk About Sex for Christian Couples” co-written with Sex Therapist Debby Wade. Victorya has been seen and heard on national TV, Radio, and print—from MTV to Focus on the Family, Cosmopolitan to Woman’s World. This former Hollywood agent is also an active REALTOR® at Coldwell Banker Residential. She’s part of First Friday Women and lives in Southlake with her husband, Will, and their two children. Learn more about her coaching services at www.Victorya.com.

Samantha Conner

In my “past life” I earned a degree in Education at TCU and taught elementary school. But these days, I am working as a super stay-at-home-mom with a serious craft addiction. During naptime, I am an avid blogger, runner, and nester. My blog is the place where I chronicle my journey in homemaking and sell my fabulous handmade bows, tutus, and hair accessories. I have a loving husband and two young daughters. Their enthusiasm and support is what drives my creativity in home decor, unique crafts, party planning, holiday fun, and all things girly. I am dedicated to creating a warm, loving home for my family. And to me, that means a lot of 'crafty how-to’ projects along the way. I believe that life can be more fabulous with the use of polka dots, tulle, ribbon and rhinestones! I hope you enjoy sharing in our adventures and that I can inspire you to 'get crafty' in your own home. Follow my crafting journey at craftytexasgirls.blogspot.com

Rhonda Sargent Chambers

Rhonda, a former model and owner of RSC Show Productions, considers herself a “naturalized Texan”. After moving to Texas from San Francisco, she began her modeling career at a young age walking runways around the world from Japan to Mexico. She transitioned from full-time modeling to fashion show production with the creation of RSC Show Productions. As an instructor and speaker in the modeling community for over 30 years, she is a respected figure who consults with modeling agencies to develop criteria and guidelines for professional models to follow. Rhonda and her husband Kit have been together more than 20 years. The busy mom’s schedule is somewhat flexible since she owns her own business, but it’s the couple’s two boys, Callahan, 12, and Ford, 10, who now shape Rhonda’s daily routine. She is active in the community both personally and professionally giving her time to organizations such as Children’s Cancer Fund, Mane Gait Therapeutic Center, Child Abuse Prevention Center, Big Thought and The Elisa Project. She is passionate about fashion, and her forte will offer wonderful shopping and wardrobing tips for busy moms on the go! www.rscshow.com

Maxi Erdmann

I am Maxi Erdmann, and I reside in Keller, TX with my four sweet babies and my husband, Nathan. A University of Oklahoma grad, I love all things SOONER! I love food, but I don’t cook, I love music, but I don’t sing, (except in the shower), and I have a ridiculously expensive obsession with make-up. I have been writing since I could form letters and my mother put a pencil in my hand. Prior to having my third and fourth baby, I was a teacher at Southlake Christian Preschool. Before moving to Texas, I lived in Oklahoma where I spent my days as a full-time mom of twins and part-time make-up artist. I have also lived in Nashville, TN where I worked for Gaylord Entertainment and Springhouse Golf Course. My other interests include all things sports related and a new endeavor as an aspiring (learning!) photographer. It seems, along with my pencil, I have always had a camera around my neck. My days are filled with loud kids, tons of laundry and enough extra-curricular activities to keep six people busy. I’m up for the challenge, and I love every minute of it...

Brooke Hortenstine

Brooke Hortenstine is a Dallas-based editor, writer and charitable volunteer. As editor-at-large of PaperCity magazine, Brooke chronicles the evolving Dallas social scene and writes about all things luxurious — fashion, food, beauty, and interior design, to name a few. She has appeared as a style authority in television segments, and has been published in periodicals such as In Style and Four Seasons Magazine. Contemporary art, dining, travel, music, modern furnishings, and southern customs — think iced tea, old monograms and SEC football — top her lists of likes, as well as giving back to her community. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Contemporary artspace and the President’s Advisory Council to the AT&T Performing Arts Center, and serves as a member of Cattle Baron’s Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society. Her family includes her husband Blake Hortenstine, a ranch real estate broker, and their two-year-old son, Rollins Hortenstine.

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