TV Talk

Must-watch holiday TV: Shows that will get you through the reruns Must-watch holiday TV: Shows that will get you through the reruns By Mikela Floyd Kinnison

12.25.13  |  6:54 pm

When the weather outside is frightful, it’s time to power up the TV. Christmas break is upon us, and ...

Holiday Survival Guide

Don't kill the in-laws: 10 tips to stay out of jail, enjoy the ... Don't kill the in-laws: 10 tips to stay out of jail, enjoy the holiday By Samantha Webster

12.25.13  |  1:01 pm

"I don't know what to say, except it's Christmas and we're all in misery." — Ellen Griswold, National ...

Shelby's Social Diary

Hottie Elves and Sexy Santas rock this young professionals' swan song Hottie Elves and Sexy Santas rock this young professionals' swan song By Shelby Hodge

12.25.13  |  11:32 am

It might have been the swan song for the annual "Don't Stop Believin'" holiday bash but there were no ...

Crazy Chocolate Santa

2.4 million calories chocolate: Giant Santa in hip Houston wows 2.4 million calories chocolate: Giant Santa in hip Houston wows By Elizabeth Rhodes

12.24.13  |  10:01 am

Santa is already here in town and you truly won't believe how big (and sweet) he really is. The ...

Houston's Real Hunger Game

Houston's real hunger game: The holidays aren't so sweet for hungry Houston's real hunger game: The holidays aren't so sweet for hungry By Marene Gustin

12.24.13  |  7:04 am

For many of us the holidays are about an abundance of friends, family, gifts and food. BFF holiday lunches at ...

Sporty Gift Guide

Sporty gift ideas for your favorite fitness fanatic Sporty gift ideas for your favorite fitness fanatic By Karon Karter

12.22.13  |  5:00 pm

Here are some great gift ideas for the fitness fanatic on your holiday shopping list.

Dubai Journal

Christmas in Dubai: Holiday jaunt brings the ultimate in shopping Christmas in Dubai: Holiday jaunt brings the ultimate in shopping By Jane Howze

12.22.13  |  12:00 pm

Editor's note: CultureMap contributor Jane Howze is flying around the world in 17 days. Here is her first report ...

Horrible Stocking Stuffers

The Worst Christmas Stocking Stuffers ever: 10 ways to ruin a holiday The Worst Christmas Stocking Stuffers ever: 10 ways to ruin a holiday By Elizabeth Rhodes

12.21.13  |  4:01 pm

A stocking filled to the brim with gifts is a wonderful sight to behold on Christmas morning. It isn't ...

CultureMap Video

Celebrity stylists help women in crisis feel like a million bucks Celebrity stylists help women in crisis feel like a million bucks By Clifford Pugh

12.21.13  |  11:27 am

The Women's Home on lower Westheimer looked more like an upscale beauty salon Wednesday as 56 women who are ...

Mondo Cinema

Last minute gift suggestions for movie lovers - and Astrodome fans Last minute gift suggestions for movie lovers - and Astrodome fans By Joe Leydon

12.20.13  |  3:01 pm

Yes, Virginia, you still have time to select appropriate presents for the movie lovers on your Christmas list. Granted, you ...

Party Watch

City power brokers come together at a hip, Houston cocktail bar City power brokers come together at a hip, Houston cocktail bar By Shelby Hodge

12.20.13  |  7:02 am

What: The Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Board holiday reception. Where: Eighteenth Cocktail Bar. The 411: More than 300 movers and ...

Ultimate Foodie Gift Guide

The ultimate foodie gift guide: Keep it local and hipster friendly The ultimate foodie gift guide: Keep it local and hipster friendly By Elizabeth Rhodes, Eric Sandler

12.19.13  |  11:36 am

With Christmas less than a week away, it's time to wrap up your holiday shopping. CultureMap is here to ...

Party Watch

Sexy Santa's Elves, hot men's clothes and jewels bring holiday fun Sexy Santa's Elves, hot men's clothes and jewels bring holiday fun By Shelby Hodge

12.18.13  |  11:13 am

What: Festari for Men holiday party. Where: Festari for Men.  The 411: Debbie and Rudy Festari rolled out the red ...

A very merry time

Santa and River Oaks elves make a special house call for kid patients Santa and River Oaks elves make a special house call for kid patients By Shelby Hodge

12.17.13  |  2:47 pm

Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers rang in the merry, merry season with a visit from Santa and Mrs ...

Gingerbread Build-Off

Amazing gingerbread houses salute Hogwarts, London Bridge and Foley's Amazing gingerbread houses salute Hogwarts, London Bridge and Foley's By Eric Sandler

12.16.13  |  4:20 pm

At the fifth annual AIA Gingerbread Build-Off, 30 teams from across the city competed to build the most stunning, over-the-top ...

Crafty Gift Guide

Make it yourself: 10 great Pinterest-inspired DIY holiday gifts Make it yourself: 10 great Pinterest-inspired DIY holiday gifts By Samantha Webster

12.16.13  |  11:30 am

If you’ve ever longed to create some of the crafty DIY masterpieces you’ve eyed on Pinterest or Etsy ...

Holiday Wishes

Nightmare before Christmas! The perils of corporate gift-giving Nightmare before Christmas! The perils of corporate gift-giving By William Lepiesza

12.15.13  |  2:30 pm

Do most companies still partake in the holiday corporate gift giving tradition? At least in the professional services and small ...

UH holiday designs

UH students unveil line of handcrafted, holiday-ready gift items UH students unveil line of handcrafted, holiday-ready gift items By Tyler Rudick

12.15.13  |  12:30 pm

Just in time for the holidays, students from UH's College of Architecture have partnered with Rice Village's PH ...

Still time to shop

The designer touch: Great gift ideas from fashion's top names The designer touch: Great gift ideas from fashion's top names By Clifford Pugh

12.14.13  |  1:00 pm

There's nothing like a designer label as a holiday gift. Here are some great ideas, priced from $10 to ...

Worst Holiday Gifts Ever

The 10 Worst Holiday Gifts Ever: Save your friends, family from horror The 10 Worst Holiday Gifts Ever: Save your friends, family from horror By Elizabeth Rhodes

12.14.13  |  7:04 am

The tradition of holiday gift-giving is meant to create wonderful, Norman Rockwell-esque memories that will last the recipient years. Unfortunately ...

Beautifying the bayou

The perfect gift for someone who has it all: Put their name in lights The perfect gift for someone who has it all: Put their name in lights By Shelby Hodge

12.13.13  |  4:21 pm

The Buffalo Bayou Partnership has come up with a nifty way to say "Happy Holidays," and it's the perfect ...

The CultureMap Interview

Famed designer spills holiday secrets: Animal prints, red lips rock Famed designer spills holiday secrets: Animal prints, red lips rock By Clifford Pugh

12.11.13  |  2:04 pm

French designer Roland Mouret has been a busy man since he visited Houston about this time last year. In addition ...

Drink & Shop Secrets

Drink and shop: 5 Houston stores that make the holiday madness merry Drink and shop: 5 Houston stores that make the holiday madness merry By Davon D.E. Hatchett

12.10.13  |  12:57 pm

Let’s face it. The holiday season can incite just as much stress as it can illicit joy. Schedules get ...

Quick Fix

Picture this: 10 eye-catching frames that make great holiday gifts Picture this: 10 eye-catching frames that make great holiday gifts By Barbara Kuntz

12.10.13  |  11:08 am

Make your gift-shopping adventures a snap, literally, with new photo frames to keep – and share – your fond, fun and fabulous ...

Party Watch

This lavish River Oaks party brings in a whopping $1.85 million This lavish River Oaks party brings in a whopping $1.85 million By Shelby Hodge

12.10.13  |  9:48 am

What: Texas Children's Hospital Ambassadors Holiday Party. Where: A lavish party tent erected on the River Oaks Boulevard lot ...

Shelby's Social Diary

Human Christmas tree lights up "Santa's Elves" bash at River Oaks home Human Christmas tree lights up "Santa's Elves" bash at River Oaks home By Shelby Hodge

12.9.13  |  11:31 am

For the eighth consecutive year, the River Oaks home of Paige and Tilman Fertitta was a jingle mingle of Christmas ...

Music as beautiful medicine

Symphony, opera & ballet turn hospital stay into a musical delight Symphony, opera & ballet turn hospital stay into a musical delight By Shelby Hodge

12.8.13  |  4:32 pm

Other than the birth of a baby, there probably is never a good time to be in the hospital. But ...

Party Watch

Former Astros manager opens home for TCH Woodlands holiday fundraiser Former Astros manager opens home for TCH Woodlands holiday fundraiser By Shelby Hodge

12.8.13  |  2:31 pm

What: The Woodlands Leadership Dinner hosted by Texas Children's Hospital. Where: In The Woodlands home of former Astros manager ...

The Farmer Diaries

Give a gift that grows: Holiday presents for the gardener in your life Give a gift that grows: Holiday presents for the gardener in your life By Marshall Hinsley

12.8.13  |  1:30 pm

When a loved one starts a new hobby such as gardening, it provides good fodder for gift-giving. They can probably ...

Shelby's Social Diary

Warehouse rocks with holiday spirit at ad agency's Christmas Care-All Warehouse rocks with holiday spirit at ad agency's Christmas Care-All By Shelby Hodge

12.8.13  |  11:41 am

Organizers of the "Christmas Care-All: Past, Presents and Future" hoped for, but perhaps never really expected, the whopping turnout that ...