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OBSESSIONS. DECORATION. SALIENT FACTS. Tis the Season: If you're getting in your Fitbit steps, set out for the Highland Park Village Christmas Lights Celebration and Shopping Stroll Wednesday, December 11, 4 to 7 pm. You'll find more than 1.5 million lights, as well as carolers, face painting, twisty balloon creations, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, all while tackling your gift lists at some of our favorite boutiques … That weekend, keep on strolling through Knox Street's Holiday Celebration Saturday and Sunday, December 14 and 15. Popping up for the season is HerStory Holiday Market with contemporary brands founded by women around the globe, as well as complimentary photos with Santa Paws, entertainment, shopping promotions, live reindeer, and a flower market with holiday wreaths from Le Bloom. Locally founded Gelato La Boca — our newest obsession — will provide gourmet scoops that day; we're hoping they'll have our favorite, sambayon, a sweet and creamy Argentinian classic made with egg yolks and marsala wine … At NorthPark Center, animal lovers should check out Bark + Build Pet Houses through Sunday, December 8. The SPCA of Texas, Dallas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and TEXO, the Construction Association, present the 10th annual competition and silent auction, where architects, contractors, and design teams create one-of- a-kind dog houses, cat condos, and "furr-niture" to benefit the SPCA of Texas … 12 Days of Thompson is back again. The downtown hotel where we've been known to staycate has a wide range of holidaying for families and cocktailing adults. For those dozen days, you'll find everything from the Nutcracker Tea Party with the Dallas Ballet (Sunday, December 15), Tequila and Tamales (Thursday, December 19), and brunch with the biggest celeb, Santa himself (Friday – Saturday, December 21 - 22) … Then there's the Winter Village at The Adolphus. The hotel's seventh-floor rooftop BUZZ has been transformed into an Instagram- worthy après-ski scene with winter chalets, cozy blankets, warm boozy cocktails, and holiday cuisine. Consider the $450 Grand Chalet e x p e r i e n c e , which includes two bottles of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label C h a m p a g n e Brut (minimum four guests) … Of course, o n e o f o u r favorite annual traditions is waiting for the weather to be cold enough t o s e e y o u r breath. Put on your Moncler puffer coat for a visit to Holiday at the Arboretum at the Dallas Arboretum. Through January 5, the endless gardens are transformed for the magic of the season with all your favorites, including Christmas Village and The 12 Days of Christmas Gazebos … If you're looking for the biggest tree, make your way to Galleria Dallas to gaze at the 95-foot- tall Christmas spectacle, the tallest indoor holiday tree in the U.S. It takes a team of 50 elves to set it up over five days, and it's topped by a 100-pound, 10-foot LED star. Social: September through November left us breathless, but we're nearing the finish line of the 2024 social swirl. The main date that should have been on your schedule for months — the grande dame of the season — is Crystal Charity Ball on Saturday, December 7. Hopefully you've gotten in a fitting with Wes Gordon (he was just in town as the dashing speaker for Kappa Tablescapes) for a delish Carolina Herrera frock for that evening because it's old school, and cocktail attire will be regarded with hushed disdain. After that night? Our Smythson date books remain filled with fabulous private parties sprinkled throughout the well-appointed homes of Highland Park and Preston Hollow. By Billy Fong Here and above, 12 Days of Thompson GUS SCHMIEGE GUS SCHMIEGE 26