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Things to Do for Christmas in Bryan and College Station

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
Things to do for Christmas in Bryan College Station

There are so many preparations that go into creating a festive holiday season. Between decorating your home, stocking the pantry with your family’s favorite goodies, and making trips to the store, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Have you ever felt like December just comes and goes in a blink of an eye?

As you tackle your long list of holiday to-dos, we want to ensure you enjoy all the fun there is to be had as well. Whether you prefer something active or taking a stroll under a canopy of lights, there’s plenty of things to do for Christmas in Bryan, College Station, and the surrounding area that your family will love.

Things to Do for Christmas in Bryan and College Station

Let’s take a look at a few of our favorites holiday events in the area and a few new additions to our calendar this year.

Santa’s Wonderland

Our list wouldn’t be complete … Read Full Post »

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San Antonio Christmas Events

. Posted by in • San Antonio
San Antonio Christmas events

December is one of our favorite times of year here at ABC Home & Commercial Services. For starters, Christmas is in full swing with classic Christmas songs playing on the radio, baked goods aplenty, and holiday cheer on our faces. 

San Antonio Christmas Events

With all the holiday spirit in the air, we want to share some of our favorite San Antonio Christmas events. So grab your Santa hat and a handful of candy canes, because these are the 2016 San Antonio holiday events you won’t want to miss.

See The Lights

San Antonio has a number of Christmas light parks and celebrations to choose from. Don’t worry if you haven’t to these displays yet. Many events carry on into the New Year as well.

Santa’s Ranch

This Christmas light park is located in New Braunfels, Texas, about 15 minutes north of San Antonio. Santa’s Ranch, a one-mile drive-thru park, has over 1 million lights and … Read Full Post »

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ABC Austin Reduces Carbon Footprint With New Solar Energy System

. Posted by in • Austin
Why is solar energy good for the environment

Austin has a reputation as a green city. Our local utility company, Austin Energy, not only sells the most renewable energy in the nation, but also has an ambitious goal to be carbon neutral by 2020. Austinites can choose from a wide array of parks, nature preserves, trails, and greenbelts to take advantage of the city’s mild climate and numerous sunny days. Government officials have made protecting the environment a priority, enacting many eco-friendly policies, including pledging to reduce the amount of trash going to landfills by 90% by 2040.

ABC’s Corporate Responsibility

As a local business with a long history of providing environmentally-friendly home services, ABC Home & Commercial Services recently expanded its commitment to reducing the company’s impact on the planet. With the help of Freedom Solar, the roof of ABC’s Austin headquarters is now outfitted with 448 solar panels. By installing these panels, ABC will offset 138.6 tons … Read Full Post »

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It’s Not Just For Kids: Things To Do In Orlando For Adults

. Posted by in • Orlando
Things to do in Orlando for adults

When we think of Orlando, the first thing that usually comes to mind is childhood memories filled with mouse ears, candy shops, and pictures alongside your favorite Disney characters. When it comes to Orlando, the first thing most people think of is often Disney World and Universal Studios.

Our Favorite Things To Do in Orlando For Adults

Despite its association with roller coasters and face paint, Orlando is also a great place for adults. The city has restaurants, events, and outdoor activities just for grown-ups. Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Orlando:

Take In the Views

If you’re from Orlando, chances are you’ve seen every corner of Disney World. But have you ever experienced it from above? See its vast size while soaring overhead in a hot-air balloon. Riders can choose a sunrise flight for unforgettable views of Orlando’s many forests and lakes and the many theme parks throughout … Read Full Post »

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Keeping Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season

. Posted by in • San Antonio
Holiday pet safety

It’s the holiday season! We all love to deck the halls with festive decorations and throw holiday parties, but it’s also important to remember our pets during this busy time of year.

As wonderful as the holidays are, the decorations and foods of the season pose threats to our furry family members. That said, it’s not impossible to avoid holiday hazards for pets.

Keeping Your Pets Safe During the Holidays

Avoid a trip to the pet emergency room with some advanced planning and by taking a few simple precautions. Here are some ways to avoid the most common Christmas dangers for pets:

Christmas Tree

If you have cats or dogs, here are a few things you should think about when it comes to your Christmas tree:

  • Make sure you have a wide, weighted base so your pets can’t knock over the tree. Some cat owners use fishing line to tie their trees to … Read Full Post »

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White Elephant Party Gift Ideas to Celebrate the Season

. Posted by in • San Antonio
white elephant gift ideas

For your next holiday party or family get-together, instead of regular gift-giving, why not try a white elephant gift exchange? Below, we’ll talk about what a white elephant gift exchange is, how to play, and give you some white elephant gift ideas.

What are White Elephant Exchanges?

White elephant gift exchanges turn gift-giving into a game. Instead of purchasing a gift for a specific person, everyone brings a silly or useful gift, and the group plays a game to find out who gets which gift.

By turning gift-giving into party entertainment, it reduces the stress of having to pick the ‘right’ gift, especially for people who you don’t know well or who are hard to please. It also can be a great way to eliminate pressure to spend a lot of money, as some of the best white elephant gifts can be under $5.00.

How Does White Elephant Work?

According to the website White Elephant … Read Full Post »

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Christmas In Orlando: Things To Do During The Holidays

. Posted by in • Orlando
Christmas in Orlando

Here in Orlando, we understand that we may celebrate the holidays differently than in other parts of the country. Instead of getting out our mittens and hats, we can sometimes swim on Christmas Day if the weather cooperates. Rather than snowy skies, we can enjoy the sunshine nearly year-round. Families from across the country flock to Orlando during the holiday season to escape the more wintery weather.

How We Celebrate the Holidays in Orlando

Although the weather outside is rarely frightful, we still find plenty of Christmas things to do in Orlando.

Giving Back During the Holidays

The holidays are a season for giving, and we are thankful there are many opportunities to give back to the Orlando community. Hands-On Orlando is a great organization to find volunteer opportunities for individuals, groups, and families. Children as young as three can participate with a parent, and an easy online calendar allows you to sign … Read Full Post »

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Ways to Give Back in Houston

. Posted by in • Houston
Volunteer opportunities in Houston

Of course, we are biased, but we think Houston is one of the best places to live and work in the entire country. When we volunteer, we can make our city even better. There are a lot of different ways you can get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities in Houston

Let’s look at just a few volunteer opportunities in Houston and the surrounding communities.

Volunteering for Adults

The Houston Food Bank can always use a helping hand. The organization needs folks to help sort, process, and pack food for hungry Houstonians. If you prefer, you can volunteer to prepare meals for kids in the organization’s dedicated kitchen. You can get your employer involved with one of the agency’s corporate programs. For college students and others looking to enhance job skills, the Food Bank also has leadership programs.

Enjoy education and reading? Then the Houston Public Library wants to hear from you. The Library has programs for adults … Read Full Post »

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Celebrate The Season With These Houston Holiday Events

. Posted by in • Houston
Houston holiday events

Houston sparkles during the holiday season, and when it comes to holiday events in Houston, there’s truly something for everyone.

2016 Holiday Events in Houston

Whether you’re on a budget or feeling flush, and whether you love brilliant lights displays, musical or theater performances, or shopping and festivals, the following Christmas events in Houston are sure to help you get into the holiday spirit.

Numerous holiday lights displays transform Houston and neighboring areas into a winter wonderland! Particular favorites include Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo (through Jan. 15), Magical Winter Lights at Galveston’s Gulf Greyhound Park (through Jan. 8), and Festival of Lights at Galveston’s Moody Gardens (through Jan. 8). Check out our list of the best holiday lights for more ideas.

Holiday train rides at Hermann Park (now through Jan. 13) — Decked out in festive garlands, the train glows after dark with colorful lights. Tickets are $3.50 per person; children … Read Full Post »

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Great Teacher Christmas Gift Ideas

. Posted by in • Houston
Teacher Christmas gift ideas

We all want to save time around the home, and there is no time of year when that’s more appreciated than during the busy holiday season. When thinking about who you need to buy for, your children’s teachers are very likely on your list. What’s the best way to show your appreciation for all the hard work which teachers do all year long? It can be a challenge to come up with the best way to show your gratitude.  

Great Teacher Christmas Gift Ideas

If you have a long to-do list for Christmas, including shopping for a present your child’s teacher, here are some great gift idea suggestions.

For the Busy, Practical Mom

Gift cards are a fast and easy way for busy parents to give teachers exactly what they want or need. You or the designated classroom parent can even collect funds from multiple parents in the class online to give … Read Full Post »

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