The 9 Best Texas Christmas Traditions
It’s the Texan way to make everything about our Texan-ness, and in that spirit, we’ve compiled 9 of our favorite Texas traditions to take part in during the holidays.
Christmas Eve Tamales
This delicious husk-wrapped masa dish can be made with a number of different fillings. It isn’t completely clear how tamales became so strongly associated with the holidays, but for many Texans, it wouldn’t be Christmas without them. The best tamales are purchased from a food truck in a parking lot, of course.
Artificial Snowballs
Texas has its occasional white Christmas, but the odds of actual, packable snow falling on any given Christmas are slim. Some families make the best of it by battling indoors with plush “snowballs” made of polypropylene, yarn, or fleece. You can find a 50-pack online for less than $25.
Luminarias
Luminarias are low-tech lanterns that are both charming and easy to make. In 16th century Mexico, bonfires were lit on roadsides to light the way to the final night of Las Posadas in December. The modern version is usually made with a small candle (either real or battery operated) and a brown paper bag.
Fireworks
Shooting off fireworks on Christmas Eve will supposedly help Santa find his way, but its popularity probably has more to do with the long-abiding Texan love of doing things big. Expect the noise to ramp up just before midnight.
Unexpected Christmas Trees
It’s become tradition to decorate trees on the side of Loop 360 in Austin, despite it being technically illegal. And if you’re lucky, you might see lights and ornaments on a rogue cactus or tumbleweed. The anonymity is part of the fun.
Capitol Ornaments
For the last 30 years, the Texas Capitol gift shop has issued a yearly Texas-themed Christmas tree ornament. Past favorites include a watering can full of bluebonnets, a “Come and Take It” flag, and the capitol building as a gingerbread house. These are not cheap — they’re made with 24-karat gold and silver finishes and come in velour-lined boxes — but for committed collectors, it’s worth every dime.
Over-the-Top Yard Décor
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the outdoor light shows. With flashing LEDs, cheery Christmas tunes, inflatables, and life-sized Nativity scenes, they can be quite the spectacle, and many families drive around every year to see the best ones. If your lights are mistaken for an alien invasion, you’re doing it right.
Buc-ee’s
Texans know it’s so much more than a gas station. Where else can you do all your Christmas shopping, grab some good barbecue for dinner, and gas up for the drive to see family all in the same place? Customer favorites include praline pecans, Buc-ee’s ornaments, and Buc-ee-clad pajama pants.
Piñatas
Others might associate these candy-filled creations primarily with children’s birthday parties, but in these parts, piñatas are for all occasions. Nothing says “Christmas in Texas” like calling the kids outside to wallop a papier-mâché Santa until he gives up the goods.
Give your favorite Texan (or honorary Texan) a piece of home this Christmas.
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