Our Favorite Things

'Tis the season to shop new finds, old favorites at Nutcracker Market

When it comes to the Nutcracker Market, there are some universal truths every shopper knows.

The decor and furnishings at Paul Michael Company reminds you that your house is not Chip and Joanna Gaines-approved, the Donna Di Domani marinara sauce always goes fast and the cinnamon-infused air and Christmas carols immediately evokes the holidays — even if it’s still 80 degrees outside.

Every year though, there are new vendors added to the party mix. It’s not easy to become a Nutcracker Market vendor and many wait their turn before getting to stake their claim on the red carpet. Below are some fresh faces to Nutcracker and a couple of favorites that are fun standouts.

Twisted Wares

You can hear the laughter before you ever get to the Twisted Wares booth. Owner Missy Livingston brings her slightly irrelevant and totally humorous take on life and projects them on kitchen towels, makeup bags, T-shirts and banners.

A Seattle transplant, she and her family moved to McKinney, Texas, after losing everything in the recession. What Livingston thought would be a disaster turned into a tremendous opportunity. Her patent-pending Hang Tight Towel loop design allows for a towel to be used and stay put. The sayings like “Cluster Fork,” “Grater Gonna Grate,” and “I Love You More Than Biscuits and Gravy” are punny reminders not to take things so seriously.

French Laundry Home

French Laundry Home from High Point, North Carolina, brings home decor and gifts to the market that are suitable for the holidays and beyond.

Owner Debbie Jones created French Laundry Home after being inspired by an idea to reproduce fabric created more than 100 years ago on hand looms. To prepare for the Nutcracker Market, Jones and her team of local artisans cut, sewed and printed all the items by hand. They got it all done in three weeks.

Paris Texas Apparel Co.

Paris Texas Apparel Co. isn’t new to Houston or lots of other locations in Texas, but it is the company’s first year at the Nutcracker Market. Witty Texas humor and well-made ties, T-shirts and other Lone Star items are available at Paris Texas Apparel Co. and it’s a great place to pick up gifts for guys.

Loredana’s

This Nutcracker Market favorite from Denver was on a slight hiatus the past two years, but has returned with its ridiculously delicious selection of marmalades, tapenades, tapenade-style spreads and vinaigrettes. Do not leave without at least trying the Tartufo spread. The blend of Winter Truffle & Marinated Asiago and Parmesan Hard Cheese is a snack-sized revelation.

Kitty Keller Designs

’Tis the season to decorate the tree, but Kitty Keller Designs ornaments are pretty enough to leave up all year long. The selection of handcrafted cloisonné ornaments ranges from college, sorority and fraternity-themed to destinations like New Orleans and New York City.

The Nutcracker Market runs through Sunday, Nov. 13 at NRG Center. Tickets are $20 at the Nutcracker Market, but only cash is accepted, so either plan in advance or use the on-site ATM. Discount tickets are available at Randall’s stores or online through Ticketmaster.

French laundry home brings its handmade wares to the Nutcracker Market for the first time in 2016.

French Laundry Home

French laundry home brings its handmade wares to the Nutcracker Market for the first time in 2016.

shopping

flag-waving news

Texas drops on new list of most patriotic states in U.S.

Photo by Ray Shrewsberry on Unsplash

Texas ranked a dismal No. 45 this year after previously ranking as the 36th most patriotic state in 2024.

This may come as a surprise for many Texans, but the Lone Star State is far from being the most patriotic place in America, according to a new report.

WalletHub's latest study ranking the "Most Patriotic States in America" for 2025 placed Texas near the bottom of the list as No. 45, marking a significant nine-place drop from its rank as the 36th most patriotic state in 2024.

According to the findings, the three most patriotic states in America are Virginia (No. 1), Montana (No. 2), and Vermont (No. 3). Colorado (No. 4) and Oregon (No. 5) round out the top five most passionate, flag-waving states in 2025.

Texas flopped toward the bottom mainly due to its civic engagement rank (No. 47), but it did perform fairly well in the military engagement category (No. 13).

Texas has the third-highest average number of military enlistees, the report found, but it had the second-lowest percentage of adults who voted in the 2024 presidential election.

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said patriotism can't be defined by geographic region or by which states fly the most American flags. Rather, true patriotism can be found in states with high voter turnouts, high volunteer rates, and more.

“The most patriotic states have a lot of residents who serve or have served in the armed forces, high voter turnouts during elections, and a high share of the population volunteering with national or local organizations," Lupo said.

States like Virginia and Montana ranked at the top of the list due to their high voter turnout rates during the 2024 presidential election, plus high volunteer rates in local or national organizations. Virginia is also home to the third-highest population of active-duty military personnel per 100,000 civilians, and there are 27 military bases in the state.

The report further acknowledges that many Americans may not be feeling very patriotic this year because of "societal issues" that span from "relentless high inflation" to tragedies like mass shootings.

"Many people may find it hard to celebrate a country where countless people are struggling and frequent violence persists," the report's author wrote. "However, an expression of love for fellow citizens is patriotic in itself."

Joining Texas among the least patriotic American states are Florida (No. 46), Alabama (No. 47), Louisiana (No. 48), New York (No. 49), and Arkansas (No. 50).

The top 10 most patriotic states in America are:

No. 1 – Virginia
No. 2 – Montana
No. 3 – Vermont
No. 4 – Colorado
No. 5 – Oregon
No. 6 – Washington
No. 7 – North Dakota
No. 8 – Maryland
No. 9 – Minnesota
No. 10 – New Hampshire

The report analyzed all 50 states across 13 "indicators of patriotism" based on military and civic engagement, including factors such as the rate of veterans living in each state for every 1,000 civilians; the share of adults who voted in the 2024 presidential election and the 2020 primary elections; the number of AmeriCorps volunteers per capita, and more.

texas wallethub reports patriotism