A feel-good scene

Macy's makes a Christmas wish come true with a fantasy shopping spree for12-year-old who's never been to a mall

Picking out clothes in the juniors department.
Photo by Sarah Rufca
Edith arrives on the Macy's red carpet for her VIP shopping spree.
Photo by Sarah Rufca
Personal shopper Deyna Patino helped Edith pick out clothes and navigate thestore.
Photo by Sarah Rufca
Edith wrote a letter to Santa while she was at Macy's.
Photo by Sarah Rufca

The entrance to Macy's at Memorial City Mall was decked out with a red carpet and dozens of balloons on Friday, awaiting the arrival of 12-year-old Edith.

A sixth grader at Schultz Junior High in Waller, Edith (whose family asked that her last name be withheld) arrived for a fantasy shopping spree courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Macy's National Believe Day.

Pulling up with her mother and sister in a towncar, Edith was greeted with flowers, a teddy bear, cheering Macy's employees and photographers ready to snap her red carpet moment.

Asked if the shopping spree was everything she hoped for, Edith had an easy answer: "Um, YES!"

Edith said being in the spotlight made her nervous, but that she felt famous with the entourage of employees and photographers following her around the store. Shy yet bubbly with an adorable smile, Edith told CultureMap that she likes math class, listening to music (especially Taylor Swift) and playing video games.

Stopping to write and mail a letter to Santa (Macy's donates $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for every letter sent), Edith soon met with personal shopper Deyna Patino, who picked out a few outfits and guided Edith through the store departments, adding clothes, accessories and other goodies to a clothing rack as they went.

In her first trip to a mall, Edith picked out some Coach sneakers, Taylor Swift perfume, embellished jeans and some tees and sweaters from Madonna's Material Girl collection, taking a quick break to pose with a life-size Justin Bieber cut-out. Patino gave Edith a mini-makeover before Edith headed to the Apple store to pick out a new computer.

Asked if the shopping spree was everything she hoped for, Edith had an easy answer: "Um, YES!"

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Save the date

Houston’s premier bridal showcase returns with latest tips and trends

Photo by Anthony Rathbun

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Brides- and grooms-to-be should make their own save-the-dates for January 11 and 12, 2025. That’s when the 41st Bridal Extravaganza Show returns to the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. The largest bridal planning showcase in the U.S., the event helps attendees plan the perfect big day.

More than 225 vendors will be on hand, ready to talk about the latest tips and trends in everything from cakes to flowers to dresses and beyond. Expect cake samples, décor and flower ideas, multiple fashion shows, Instagram walls for selfies, prizes, presentations on the latest bridal fashion and trends, and entertainment from Houston’s top wedding professionals.

New for 2025 is an added focus on destination weddings. more than 10 vendors specializing in both destination weddings and honeymoon arrangements will be in attendance.

Bridal Party Gifts premieres its new, two-sided, suede “Bride to Be” glitter sash, and LWx Custom Hats showcases a traveling hat bar, where the hatter will be on hand for demonstrations and guests can create custom hats for all their wedding events.

Among the many other new vendors are The Painted Bridal Bouquet, with an artist on hand to demonstrate how they turn a bride’s bouquet into a custom artwork, creating a one-of-a-kind keepsake, and Unlikely Designs, helmed by Houston-based bridal gown designer Watina Lee, who is launching the "The Affirmation Collection" at the show.

A full listing of vendors and planned events is available on the show’s website.

Attendees will leave the event with a digital list of all of their favorite vendors with the BrideScan app, allowing engaged couples to connect with wedding professionals via a QR code.

The first 100 VIP Brides also receive signature swag bags with complimentary gifts from sponsors and vendors. VIP tickets offer attendees early entry, special prizes, a $200 gift credit to SymbolizeIt photo website, the latest issue of Texas Weddings Magazine, and many additional secret surprises.

Tickets are available online. General admission tickets are $15 online and $25 at the door for adults, and children aged 5-12 are $5. VIP single admission is $35, or a VIP package for one Bride or Groom plus three guests is $99. Show hours are 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday, January 11 and 12-5 pm on Sunday, January 12.

weddings

A feel-good scene

Macy's makes a Christmas wish come true with a fantasy shopping spree for12-year-old who's never been to a mall

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Save the date

Houston’s premier bridal showcase returns with latest tips and trends

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Houston intel delivered daily.