a gift from the airport

Houston airports present holiday travelers with free gift wrapping at terminals

Alton DuLaney Ultimate Gift Wrap Challenge cast 2023 QVC+

Houstonian Alton DuLaney, breakout star/host of The Ultimate Gift Wrap Challenge show, is leading the airport wrap party.

Photo courtesy of QVC+

Packing and leaving town during the holidays is stressful enough, and then there’s the added pressure of hauling that holiday gift. Should wrapped gifts get precious cargo space — and what if they crumple? Or, carry on and pack later — if there’s time?

Houston Airports is addressing those holiday gift travel questions by offering free gift wrapping at George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports on Wednesday, December 20.

Bush travelers can line up gift wrapping from 2 pm to 5 pm in Terminal A. Hobby flyers can get their gifts wrapped between 9 am and 1 pm in the main concourse/food court.

For those worried about wrap quality, fear not. Alton DuLaney — who’s dubbed the “World’s Greatest Gift Wrap Artist” and breakout star of The Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge streaming show on QVC+ — will lead the teams.

Houston Airports holiday gift wrapping Alton DuLaney DuLaney, also curator of Public Art for Houston Airports, has trained the teams.Photo courtesy of Houston Airports

DuLaney, who is also Houston Airports’ curator for Public Art, has taken a hands-on approach with the airport staffers manning the paper and tape stations. “Alton personally has trained all of us, so we’re ready to go,” Melissa Correa, Houston Airports spokesperson tells CultureMap.

Travelers can bring packages that range from small to “big as a carry-on,” says Correa. Gifts will be wrapped in paper, tape, and bows, or gift bags and tissue, depending on traveler preference.

Correa adds that Houston Airports predicts some 197,113 passengers at both airports on Wednesday: 155,240 at Bush; 41,837 passing through Hobby.

With that in mind, be sure to add extra time, but rest assured that at the very least, airport staff has that carry-on holiday gift concern all wrapped up.

transportation holidays

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New Memorial City development leads Houston's top 5 stories this week

Courtesy of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

Greenside will feature a one-acre greenspace.

Editor's note:It's time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week. The top Houston news includes a family-friendly Memorial City development, a Montrose pizzeria closure, and a stylish new lounge for Upper Kirby. Get the details below, and find fun stuff do in town this weekend here.

1. New development with 1-acre green space coming to Memorial City area. The rapidly growing area will soon be home to Greenside, boasting a mix of restaurant, retail, and other family-friendly businesses, designed by the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture.

2. Creative Montrose pizzeria will shutter after only a year-and-a-half. ElRo Pizza & Crudo will close at the end of the year, due to a steady decline in business.

3. Stylish new lounge shakes up Houston with art-inspired drinks and caviar. Cheers to this new nightlife spot, which is now open in Upper Kirby.

Sante cocktail lounge Sante's Garden Room is decorated with two olive trees. Photo by Chris Furia

4. These are the 6 most affordable ZIP codes for Houston renters. One of these ZIPs is also among the 10 most affordable in the U.S.

5. 15 Houston restaurants crafting nostalgic and decadent ice cream sundaes. The classic ice cream sundae is having a moment, and these restaurants are serving up decadent versions.