How To Recycle Christmas Lights: Your Ultimate Guide

November 2, 2018. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green in Holiday Lighting • Houston

Wondering how to recycle Christmas lights? If so, you’re ahead of the pack, as many homeowners don’t even realize this is an option! Fortunately, it is; there are many different ways to recycle or repurpose your Christmas lights at the end of the holiday season.

It’s important to note, however, that simply dropping strings of lights into your recycling bin is not recommended, nor is dumping them into the regular garbage can. Not only are Christmas lights made up of many different components, including glass, metal and plastic, that can and should be recycled, but also many bulbs and strands contain elements like mercury and lead that are not safe to introduce to a landfill.

So what is the proper way to recycle or dispose of Christmas lights? If you have too many old, non-working strands of lights, or you’d just like to make the switch over to energy-saving LED lights, you … Read Full Post »

San Antonio Christmas Events, 2018 Edition

October 24, 2018. Posted by Les Stobart in Holiday Lighting • San Antonio

Cue the bells and dancing elves because the most wonderful time of the year here in San Antonio is just around the corner! This means it is the season for all things peppermint flavored, hot chocolate, holiday playlists on repeat, tacky sweaters, delicious holiday recipes and tons and tons of twinkling lights.

San Antonio is a city rich in history and traditions, and those qualities are showcased during the holiday season. Whether you’re looking for a fun family night out, a way to entertain friends and relatives or seasonal date night ideas, there is something for everyone! Create unforgettable memories with your loved ones this holiday season by looking through our list of San Antonio Christmas events for 2018 and putting some of these outings on your calendar now.

San Antonio Christmas Shows: Performances To Remember

Many holiday traditions revolve around stories, so it’s not surprising that many dance troupes, theater companies and other … Read Full Post »

Best Christmas Lights Houston, 2018 Edition

September 24, 2018. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green in Holiday Lighting • Houston

Every year, it seems as if Back to School kicks off a long, fast slide through autumn and the holiday season, and before we know it, we are into the new year. The calendar starts filling up in early fall, and the excitement of the holiday season builds. Whether you’ll be spending the holidays with beloved family and friends or on your own, there’s something for every Houstonian to make the season merry and bright. Cue the holiday music and prepare for all the twinkling, sparkling holiday lights displays. Whether you’re into full-scale, over-the-top events or, more minor, DIY neighborhood displays, we’ve got you covered. Use our guide to plan your Christmas lights Houston 2018 holiday tour now, so you’ll be sure to experience maximum holiday cheer this season!

Houston Christmas Lights Tours

When it comes to Houston Christmas lights tours, you have several options. Taking a guided tour is a fun … Read Full Post »

Your Guide to the Best Holiday Lights Houston 2017

November 16, 2017. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green in Holiday Lighting • Houston

There are many signs of the holiday season here in Houston. Stores put up their holiday displays, gingerbread and peppermint goodies start appearing everywhere, and gift guides flood our inboxes and mailboxes. In addition to making time for holiday decorating, deciding what lights to buy, and getting presents, calendars start to fill up with seasonal events. We’ve compiled a list of Best Holiday Lights Houston 2017 to help you make time for some special memories this year.

Nothing puts everyone in the mood for Christmas quite like lights. Depending on which lights displays you choose to see, you may opt to stay in the car, which can be easier for friends and family members who are younger or older, who might have a harder time walking long distances or standing for long periods of time. Driving around to see lights can also be a good option for those rare Houston days … Read Full Post »

Your San Antonio Christmas Events 2017 Guide

October 16, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Holiday Lighting • San Antonio

Whether you just want to be a tourist in your own city or entertain your out-of-town guests or kids for winter break, San Antonio has a variety of Christmas events throughout the holidays which are sure to make everyone happy.

In addition to simply strolling along the beautiful River Walk, you and your family can enjoy a festive experience when San Antonio’s quintessential tourist stop will be lit up with more than 2,000 luminarias between December 1 and 17 on weekend nights. The traditional Mexican Christmas lantern tradition begins at dusk on Fridays and brings a soft glow to the river. In addition to luminarias, The River Walk will be decorated with 122,000 lights draped over the bald cypress trees along the river the day after Thanksgiving until the new year. In addition, the San Antonio River Authority covers the path along the river between Grayson Street and Lexington Avenue … Read Full Post »

Austin Trail of Lights 2017: A Complete Guide

September 25, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Holiday Lighting • Austin

The holidays are marked by fun traditions and memory-making outings. Here in Central Texas, one of the must-dos on many of our holiday lists is the Austin Trail of Lights. Strolling through two million twinkling lights and 40 incredible light displays can get even the Grinchiest member of your crew into the holiday spirit.

If you have never been to the Austin Trail of Lights, 2017 is the year to see what everyone’s been talking about. Whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned pro, you’ll want to read our complete guide to this year’s Trail of Lights to know what to expect, what’s new this year and how to make the most of your time at the trail.

Trail of Lights Austin 2017: What’s In Store This Year

The 53rd year of the light show, sponsored by H-E-B, will run Saturday, December 9 through Saturday, December 23. This year’s Trail will include updated … Read Full Post »

Holiday Recipes That Are Sure To Impress

December 2, 2016. Posted by ABC Home & Commercial in Holiday Lighting • San Antonio

Thanksgiving might be behind us, but there’s still plenty of holiday cheer left in the year. And with just weeks left until Christmas, we’re betting you have a number of holiday parties to attend and few holiday dishes you’ll need to bring along with you.

Whether you are hosting a party, need an idea for a side for a potluck, or just ready for something new in your dinner rotation, you may not have the time nor the desire to look through your all cookbooks or pore over countless websites, looking for the perfect recipe.

So to ease your stress this holiday season, we compiled a list of holiday recipes that are sure to impress.

Appetizers

Whether you’re hosting a festive soirée or making a dish for your office holiday party, consider going smaller rather than bigger. Appetizers and small bites are the perfect addition to any party, as guests can munch and … Read Full Post »

How To Make This Holiday Season Less Stressful

November 13, 2016. Posted by ABC Home & Commercial in Holiday Lighting • Corpus Christi

Helpful Hacks For A Stress-Free Holiday Season

It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are upon us once again. Soon enough, we’ll be picking apples for cider, hanging garland over the fireplace and welcoming family into our homes for a celebration.

And while the holidays can bring great cheer and joy, the impending arrival of family and friends can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed. To avoid any unwanted stress, we suggest taking necessary steps to ensure your home is in tip-top shape before the festivities begin.

Read our tips below to make getting ready for this holiday season a little bit easier.

Make a Checklist

Before your guests arrive, assess your home to see what areas need attention. During this time you can also take inventory of what you can reuse from prior years’ festivities and what you’ll need to purchase.

Remember, though, taking on too many tasks can set you up for a stressful situation. … Read Full Post »

May The Force Be With You This Holiday Season

November 7, 2016. Posted by ABC Home & Commercial in Holiday Lighting • Austin

The holiday season is closing in on us – although it may not feel like it here in Texas. With the holidays comes the release of the newest Star Wars movie. Rogue One hits theaters on December 16, 2016. What better way to celebrate the launch of a new Star Wars movie than combining it with the holidays? Here are a handful of ideas to get your creativity flowing.

Star Wars Holidays

Christmas offers myriad opportunities to combine holiday festivities with Star Wars. You can create all sorts of Christmas decorations that are Star Wars-themed. Popular ideas are Christmas ornaments, stockings and nativity scenes using Star Wars LEGO bricks. And don’t feel like you have to limit yourself – there are many folks out there who have a Christmas tree entirely dedicated to Star Wars. Check out this Darth Vader Christmas tree! If you are an Elf on the Shelf fan, you … Read Full Post »

How to host a cookie exchange

November 5, 2016. Posted by ABC Home & Commercial in Holiday Lighting • Bryan-College Station

Have you ever been to a cookie exchange? It’s a gathering organized to exchange cookies, primarily around the holidays. For those of us who love to bake and have a sweet tooth, these parties are heaven. Hosting a cookie exchange seems like a great idea in theory, but planning it might be overwhelming. These tips will help you plan a successful cookie exchange without losing too much of your most precious resource: time.

Planning is Key

Create a plan for your cookie exchange well ahead of the date. You’ll need to consider a number of things before settling all the details. First, the guest list – which of your friends like to bake? Inviting friends who have no interest in baking probably won’t result in a successful cookie exchange. Choose the majority of friends who are seasoned bakers, and consider adding a few newbies who are developing an interest.

Give your guests at least … Read Full Post »