Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1529938
Catherine D. Anspon rounds up the good cheer. We've Sighted Santa on 237... Holidays with a Side of Country: Your Guide to Celebrating the Season Round Top Style T urn up the Mariah Carey, saddle up your sled, and head to Round Top and its environs, where charming attractions, festive events, and artisan shopping keep spirits joyful and bright. Here are our picks for how to get in a merry, merry mood. A-Shopping We Will Go New this fall, Paul Michael Company Holiday House at Market Hill serves up Noel magic with a 30,000-square-foot emporium that brims with warmth of the season. Peruse 12 designer collections — from Pink Champagne and Tartan Traditions to Enchanted Forest and Tinsel Town — and word's out Santa may make a personal appearance (open daily through December, paulmichaelcompany.com) … Also newly minted is Round Top's first annual ChristkindlMarkt at The Compound. The delightful European- inspired holiday market boasts the unique and handmade, from holiday decor to fashion, giftable finds, delicious seasonal bites, cozy libations, and more. Vendors include Stevie Smith-Thompson of The Garden Company setting up shop with Christmas plants, holiday decor, natural wreaths and garlands; Houston-based Lauren Ellzey Adams offering hand-painted ceramic ornaments and bespoke decorative objets d'art; and Susan Kuehler and Mike McCathern of La Grange's Bistro 108 stocking a taste of Ye Old World via mulled wine (glühwein), spiced cocktails, Irish hot toddies, pastries, and sweets. Also confirmed are handbag and jewelry maven Kelly Anzilotti of Houston; Kristi Hvidbjerg of Windy Hill Sweets in Washington County baking her in-demand sugar cookies; and Danielle Yogi Wilson of Maison de Six with European treasures including ornaments, gifts, and North Pole-approved decor. Mr. Claus himself will be stopping by. A portion of proceeds benefit Round Top-Carmine ISD (Friday, December 6, 6 to 9 pm; Saturday, December 7, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, December 8, 10 am to 1 pm, gratis; @thecompound_roundtop). Old-Timey Parade Round Top is known for its old-fashioned parades, including the oldest continuously running Fourth of July parade west of the Mississippi. The Round Top Lighted Christmas Parade is equally beloved, encompassing an illuminated float brigade starring Santa that begins at dark, following an afternoon of festive food, libations, shopping, and photos with St. Nick spun around the town square. After the last float goes by, head to Duo at Market Hill for Christmas Karaoke and live music with the Black Cat Choir at The Stone Cellar (Saturday, December 7; 3 pm town-square festivities, parade rolls 6:45 to 7:30 pm, karaoke until 10 pm; exploreroundtop.com). Yule-Time Home Tour + Date with the Past A duo of holiday-themed events highlight historical causes. Round Top Area Historical Society 27th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes curates seven houses decked for the season. Featured properties span the centuries from the historic 1852 Conrad Schueddemagen House, one of the Round Top's most iconic structures, to the handsomely appointed, just completed James Cabana at Red Antler (Saturday, December 7, 11 am to 5 pm; tickets $20, at Round Top Real Estate or online rtahs.com) … Time travel to the 19th century and experience German Yule-time traditions with Christmas at Winedale. Take in a quilt exhibit, musical performances, hayrides, craft and folklife demonstrations, bites, and holiday cheer (Sunday, December 15; gratis, exploreroundtop.com). Hark the Herald Angels Sing + Nutcracker Magic A visit to Festival Hill is always part of the holiday canon. Round Top's renowned music conservatory offers two December classics. The Sounds of the Season concert is performed by Blinn College District Wind Symphony and Chorus (Sunday, December 8, 3 to 5 pm; tickets $10, festivalhill.org) … The Nutcracker Ballet marks its 15th annual performance by the Ovation Ballet Company of Austin. The troupe takes the stage at Round Top Festival Institute in Tchaikovsky's holiday masterpiece "danced by children for children of all ages" (Saturday, December 14, 4 to 6 pm; tickets $40, festivalhill.org). Find more holiday happenings on roundtop.com. Mistletoe and Holly Fa-La-La Photographer Joan Herring's Merry Christmas, 2014, at Red & White Gallery, Fayetteville Round Top Lighted Christmas Parade Paul Michael Holiday House at Market Hill KOLTON KING LEIGH MICHAEL 36