01 Dec Tis’ the Season for Holiday Magic BY WENDI CARTWRIGHT

The 2015 holiday season is officially upon us in North Texas…and that brings two important topics to mind: shopping and Gaylord Texan Resort. Forget about shopping for a minute and let’s focus on what’s most important: FAMILY FUN!

For the past 11 years, the Gaylord Texan Resort has brought us their annual Lone Star Christmas event…and this year, the event is bigger than ever! The 12th annual event will present a Texas-sized (what else?!) winter wonderland! Beginning November 12, 2015 and running through January 3, 2016, you MUST pencil in a time for your family and friends to make your way to Grapevine to experience the magic at Gaylord Texan.

To get both feet planted firmly in the festive spirit, all you need to do is take a stroll through the beautiful resort. Talk about an “everything-is-bigger-in-Texas” winter wonderland! As you walk all throughout the resort, you will be amazed at the detail you see at every turn. You will be treated to over 2 million sparkling holiday lights, 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice and 2 million pounds of real Texas snow. If that’s not enough, how about a 54-foot tall Christmas tree and 25-foot Nutcrackers? It certainly wouldn’t be complete without magical miniature train sets choo-chooing around, along with thousands and thousands of wreaths, garland and festive ornaments…this is all present, as well!

In addition to enjoying the visual interpretation of a jaw-dropping holiday display, you and your family can also experience the ICE! display… always a favorite of many! This year, guests will experience “ICE!: Christmas Around the World.” Talented master ice artisans from China will carve blocks of ice into sculptures celebrating cultural traditions from Mexico, Germany, Sweden and more. For the older crowd (21+), warm up a little at “On the Blocks” ice bar, while the kids shake off a little extra energy by slipping and sliding down five ice-carved slides. This event is a 14,000 square foot attraction, kept at a wintry 9 degrees. Parkas are provided for adults and children to keep you toasty.

Weather alert: it’s going to be snowing in Texas all season long! Each morning, freshly made snow covers the 12-lane, giant snow tubing hill at Santa’s Wild Workshop, another chilly attraction you can enjoy. Grab a tube and hang on for a downhill ride of your life. When you want to warm up a bit and get your mind revved up, how about participating in The Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt? An interactive adventure  through  the  resort  is  a  fun  way  to solve puzzles while creating bonds with your children.

And don’t forget two of the most quintessential holiday traditions: Gingerbread Decorating and Milk & Cookies with Mrs. Claus. Delectably tasty decorations for gingerbread houses are provided for families to ice, sprinkle and gum drop to their heart’s content… and a classic Christmas story is read by Santa’s favorite lady while you enjoy milk and cookies. Talk about sweet treats!

If you haven’t experienced the wonder and excitement that the Gaylord Texan brings to the community each year, why are you waiting? The sparkle in your child’s eyes and the memories you create will have you returning year after year.

For more information on all of Gaylord Texan’s

Lone Star Christmas events and activities, pricing

or to purchase tickets, please visit www.ChristmasAtGaylordTexan.com or

call reservations at  817-778-2000.