Ready to Jingle

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, with CultureMap’s holiday special series that offers everything to make the season fun and less stressful. Along with the best and newest gift ideas, our team of experts offer tips on holiday entertaining, including what to wear and what to serve, review the best in entertainment (movies, live shows and ice rink activities) and offer advice on how to handle the holidays with style.

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Keep it local: Cactus Music accepts your gift cards from big box competitors

By Whitney Radley - December 27th, 2011

Didn't receive that new album you wished for this year? Feel like you could have done more to support local businesses throughout the holiday season? Now is the time to right those wrongs: Gather the gift cards that you received in ...

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Recycle that Christmas tree and holiday wrap — here's how

By Tyler Rudick - December 27th, 2011

Wait, hang onto that tree and don't toss that gift wrap! As the holiday season winds down and the amount of trash rises, Houston is hoping to divert some of its holiday waste away from local landfills. For 21 years, the ...

Ready to Jingle

LE SMOKING HAUTE

Women are not just wearing the pants: Ladies tuxedo trend challenges the little black dress

By Heather Staible

Dec 28th, 2011 at 12:21 PM

Women owe a debt of gratitude Mr. Yves Saint Laurent and his Le Smoking tuxedo suit. He revolutionized the way women approached getting dressed for special occasions and gave them ...


HOMEMADE FOR THE HOLIDAYS II

Clean up for the new year: A step-by-step guide to making homemade soap

By Leila Kalmbach

Dec 26th, 2011 at 8:00 AM

If giving the gift of infused vodka wasn’t for you, take it a step further and really impress your friends by giving them homemade soap. Soap is a little ...


SING ALONG

A playlist to change the minds of Christmas humbugs: 15 holiday songs even a music critic could love

By Jim Beviglia

Dec 24th, 2011 at 7:30 PM

If you’re like me, you’ve about had it with holiday music by now. Don’t get me wrong:  I love Christmas. But the carols start in early November ...


READING BETWEEN THE RIBBONS

Gift card, jewelry or running apparel: Decoding what your gift giving really says

By Christina Pesoli

Dec 24th, 2011 at 2:30 PM

Unless they’re from Santa, the perfect gifts don’t just magically appear under your tree all wrapped up and ready to go. There’s no private workshop at your ...


HOMEMADE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Kisses for Christmas: Homemade lip balm is the easiest (and yummiest) beauty gift of all

By Leila Kalmbach

Dec 23rd, 2011 at 11:20 PM

We’ve been working hard the last few weeks, making taste-testing liquor infusions until the flavors are just right, cursing at our lotions until they emulsify, and stirring chocolate on ...


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