For many seniors, the holiday season is more than sparkling lights, festive décor and online sales. It’s about community, connection and celebrating treasured traditions they’ve held dear through the years. Living in Houston gives us a unique opportunity to imbue our beloved traditions — big and small — with a bit of Lone Star charm. From homemade tamales and potato latkes to cowboy hat tree toppers, residents — and seniors across the city — have many creative ways to honor the past, present and future with seasonal flair.
We’re sharing a special peek at the traditions of a few residents of The Hallmark, as well as taking stock of the city’s iconic holiday events and celebrations.
For Marsha Block and her family, the festival of lights is an opportunity to celebrate love, family and being thankful for the year’s blessings.
“Our family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, usually picks one night during Chanukah to gather at one person’s house to light candles,” she says. “We exchange gifts while sharing a meal which is often as simple as pizza or spaghetti and meatballs!”
The gift exchange, she explains, becomes a game because they draw numbers to see who gets to pick the first gift. Traditionally called a “white elephant” exchange, whoever chooses next has the option “to steal” a gift from someone who has already opened their gift. “That begins the laughter and lots of fun for the night,” she says. “It is a joyous time.”
Resident Sheila Liu has a heartfelt holiday tradition she’s been carrying out since her son, now in his 50s, was a teen.
“Every Christmas Eve, I write a letter to my son and put it in his stocking,” she says. “in the letters I have shared my faith, my love, my disappointment. And I have told him that I love him always, and I am proud of him.” Sheila knows her son looks forward to reading the letter on Christmas morning and says the tradition has kept them close.
Sylvia and Chuck Smyth, also residents, purchased an angel ornament for their tree during their first year of marriage at a Christmas market in Bremerhaven, Germany.
“With a beautiful wax face and foil-covered paper wings, we never dreamed that she would last long,” Sylvia says. But 56 Christmases later, it certainly has lasted and takes pride of place on the tree in their Hallmark home. Add to that angel, 23 nutcrackers collected through the years, and a gathering that has included their children and Chuck’s brother and sister-in-law every Christmas, and you have the Smyth’s perfect holiday.
For Ann Ballio, holiday decorating means topping their Christmas tree with the angel gifted to her while she was pregnant with her first child, 60 years ago. Food, of course, is central to many holiday traditions and for Ann’s family, this also rings true. “On Christmas Eve, we go to two different churches and eat Mexican food in between,” she shares. On Christmas Day, it’s andouille cornbread dressing and spinach Madeline. “What everyone loves best is the next day having turkey sandwiches, always on white bread (the only time for white bread), and chopped green onions with mayonnaise.”
As you plan for holiday events in Houston, particularly Houston events this weekend (and every weekend of December and January!), you’ll want to take note of the many options across the city. From Discovery Green ice skating to Houston Christmas markets, there is something for everyone looking to capitalize on the city’s holiday fun.
Nothing signifies the holidays like a twinkling display of magical winter lights, and Houston offers some wonderful options for photo ops and leisurely drives.
The holidays are a perfect time to enjoy theater, music and the performing arts, especially in a city with deep cultural offerings.
There’s plenty of joy to be found in the smaller, slower-paced traditions too. If crowds and the hustle/bustle of events is not your style, make sure you are nurturing the quieter moments of the season. If your family doesn’t have traditions around Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the Lunar New Year, now is a great time to start them.
The holidays — no matter how much or how little you celebrate — may feel stressful and overwhelming for some. Keep it simple and enJOYable by planning ahead and managing your expectations of the season. The following tips can help:
This season, celebrate holiday traditions with a bit of Lone Star magic: big hearts, warm gatherings, vibrant city lights and a sprinkle of local fun. Whether it’s taking in a festive display of lights or enjoying a cozy afternoon of cookies and peppermint tea, every moment can become a treasured memory. If you’d like to learn more about our traditions at The Hallmark and meet some interesting residents, stop in for a tour. We’d love to show you around. Call us at 346-223-9741 to schedule a visit.
