The greatest gift

Christmas for the homeless: Santa, Elves and a winter wonderland Christmas for the homeless: Santa, Elves and a winter wonderland By Shelby Hodge

12.27.14  |  9:03 am

Houston's chilly Christmas morning turned into a snowy delight in one small corner of the city when the 150 ...

Holiday Truths

George Clooney and Scarlett Johansson make the perfect holiday smooch George Clooney and Scarlett Johansson make the perfect holiday smooch By Shelby Hodge

12.25.14  |  9:01 am

Before you pour that pricey bourbon into the eggnog or pick up a tin of fruitcake, you might want to ...

Building Blocks

Creative docs take top spot in gingerbread build-off, architects weep Creative docs take top spot in gingerbread build-off, architects weep By Shelby Hodge

12.22.14  |  1:00 pm

More than two dozen teams competed in the Architecture Center Houston/AIA annual gingerbread competition. And you'll never guess ...

KHOU & CultureMap

Santa Claus experience brings joy & discomfort in holiday comedy Santa Claus experience brings joy & discomfort in holiday comedy By Elizabeth Rhodes

12.22.14  |  12:00 pm

Stark Naked Theatre is bringing the joy and discomfort of the holidays right to you with their current seasonal production ...

Party Watch

Hispanic powerhouses celebrated at Mayor's annual Latino holiday bash Hispanic powerhouses celebrated at Mayor's annual Latino holiday bash By Shelby Hodge

12.22.14  |  11:18 am

What: Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Board Holiday Reception. Where: Café Adobe on the Katy Freeway. The 411: More than 350 ...

Christmas Dining Choices

Procrastinator's Guide to Dining Out on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Procrastinator's Guide to Dining Out on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day By Marcy de Luna

12.22.14  |  10:53 am

Give yourself the best gift of all this holiday and let the pros do the cooking this Christmas Day/Christmas ...

Holiday Gift Guide

Houston-inspired Gift Guide: Presents that evoke the Bayou City spirit Houston-inspired Gift Guide: Presents that evoke the Bayou City spirit By Layne Lynch

12.22.14  |  10:00 am

 When you're giving to a proud Houstonian, the gift ideas are near limitless! Find the perfect gift on our ...

Partiers Chase Blues Away

Fashion-forward crowd chases away the holiday blues at stylish party Fashion-forward crowd chases away the holiday blues at stylish party By Clifford Pugh

12.21.14  |  12:00 pm

What: Beat the Blues benefiting Crisis Intervention of Houston. Where: House of Blues. The 411: One of the hippest and ...

Great Gift Ideas

Favorite Things Holiday Edition includes man cave toys, edgy jewelry Favorite Things Holiday Edition includes man cave toys, edgy jewelry By Deborah Elias

12.21.14  |  10:30 am

Editor's Note: Periodically, CultureMap contributor Deborah Elias scours the city to report about some of her favorite things. This ...

Best Christmas Restaurants

Houston's best Christmas restaurants: Where to eat for holiday wows Houston's best Christmas restaurants: Where to eat for holiday wows By Marene Gustin

12.20.14  |  6:35 pm

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas . . . Well, not at my house exactly. There’s a wreath on ...

Chocolate Delight

1,500-pound monster Santa stops Christmas lovers at hip Houston hotel 1,500-pound monster Santa stops Christmas lovers at hip Houston hotel By Elizabeth Rhodes

12.20.14  |  1:33 pm

Santa always seems larger than life when you're a young child sitting on his lap, but at the Hilton ...

Smoke gets in your eyes

Gentlemen's party about fine cigars, rare whiskey and female shoppers Gentlemen's party about fine cigars, rare whiskey and female shoppers By Shelby Hodge

12.19.14  |  10:38 am

One of our favorite New Orleans transplants Franco Valobra knows as much about lavish entertaining as he does about the ...

Party Watch

Sexiest holiday party ever? Towering models & Cute Young Things dazzle Sexiest holiday party ever? Towering models & Cute Young Things dazzle By Shelby Hodge

12.18.14  |  3:42 pm

What: Page Parkes/Ruggles Black holiday party. Where: Ruggles Black in Upper Kirby. The 411: More than 150 guests, including ...

Party Watch

Historic homes holiday bash makes time travel a Houston reality Historic homes holiday bash makes time travel a Houston reality By Shelby Hodge

12.18.14  |  12:57 pm

What: The Heritage Society's first-ever "An Evening of Heritage" holiday celebration. Where: In a party tent located in Connally ...

Worst Stocking Stuffers

The 10 worst holiday stocking stuffers ever: Gifts you must not give The 10 worst holiday stocking stuffers ever: Gifts you must not give By Elizabeth Rhodes

12.18.14  |  11:46 am

While a stocking exploding with holiday treats can be a wonderful sight to behold on Christmas morning, it isn't ...

Shelby's Social Diary

This Halloween/Christmas mashup turns Houston witches into elves This Halloween/Christmas mashup turns Houston witches into elves By Shelby Hodge

12.18.14  |  9:02 am

What: Holiday party for Texas Children’s cancer and hematology patients. Where: In the festooned lobby of Texas Children's ...

Holiday Dining Deals

Be a holiday hero with special treats from two best new restaurants Be a holiday hero with special treats from two best new restaurants By Eric Sandler

12.17.14  |  1:34 pm

Two of 2014's best new restaurants are serving special, limited time dishes that are sure to make a splash ...

Party Watch

Chloe Dao runway show is centerpiece of Pratham holiday luncheon Chloe Dao runway show is centerpiece of Pratham holiday luncheon By Clifford Pugh

12.17.14  |  9:05 am

What: Pratham Houston Holiday Luncheon. Where: Junior League of Houston. The 411: More than 270 guests filled the ballroom as ...

'Tis The Season

Brass quintet charms crowds with annual Yuletide Concert at Bayou Bend Brass quintet charms crowds with annual Yuletide Concert at Bayou Bend By Shelby Hodge

12.16.14  |  4:14 pm

What: River Oaks Chamber Orchestra annual Yuletide Concert. Where: Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. The 411: The orchestra's brass ...

Holiday Gift Guide

Organic Holiday Gift Guide: Go all natural with these perfect presents Organic Holiday Gift Guide: Go all natural with these perfect presents By Layne Lynch

12.16.14  |  9:51 am

Oftentimes, it's hard to find the perfect gift for a friend or family member who lives an all natural ...

Party Watch

Cosmetic surgeon takes a Glitter & Glow approach to holiday partying Cosmetic surgeon takes a Glitter & Glow approach to holiday partying By Shelby Hodge

12.15.14  |  12:00 pm

What: Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery & Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique's "Glitter & Glow" holiday party with a cause. Where: Vitenas' new location ...

Holiday schmooze

Traffic jam can't keep guests from holiday party at River Oaks mansion Traffic jam can't keep guests from holiday party at River Oaks mansion By Shelby Hodge

12.13.14  |  3:00 pm

Even the ridiculous traffic jam at Shepherd and Inwood could not thwart the enthusiasm of partygoers headed for the ever-popular ...

Party watch

A sexy special guest: Miss Texas turns heads at Festari for Men bash A sexy special guest: Miss Texas turns heads at Festari for Men bash By Shelby Hodge

12.12.14  |  12:12 pm

What: Festari for Men annual holiday bash. Where: The posh boutique on Post Oak Boulevard. The 411: More than 150 ...

Party Watch

The Galleria turns into Santa's wonderland for leading cancer center The Galleria turns into Santa's wonderland for leading cancer center By Shelby Hodge

12.11.14  |  12:32 pm

What: M.D. Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital's Little Galleria Breakfast with Santa. Where: The Galleria. The 411: Carolers ...

25 years of giving

Santa's last push? Oodles of toys stack up as Houston charity ends run Santa's last push? Oodles of toys stack up as Houston charity ends run By Shelby Hodge

12.10.14  |  5:17 pm

The Carmen and David Bridges Joyful Toyful has had a great run since its founding 25 years ago, having gifted ...

Shelby's Social Diary

Ultra pricey one-of-a-kind diamond bracelet makes the ladies swoon Ultra pricey one-of-a-kind diamond bracelet makes the ladies swoon By Shelby Hodge

12.10.14  |  1:47 pm

Activities surrounding the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, which celebrates its 70th anniversary in March, are already beginning, the most ...

Tabletop Tour

The best holiday tables ever: Decking the halls never looked so good The best holiday tables ever: Decking the halls never looked so good By Barbara Kuntz

12.10.14  |  9:46 am

If you need a creative boost when it comes to decorating your holiday table, just stop by The Houston Design ...

Party Watch

River Oaks billionaire's mansion site of the ultimate Christmas party River Oaks billionaire's mansion site of the ultimate Christmas party By Shelby Hodge

12.9.14  |  5:13 pm

What: M.D. Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital ninth annual Santa's Elves party. Where: The River Oaks estate of ...

Best Holiday Light Displays

Best holiday lights contest features Houston-area faves: Vote now Best holiday lights contest features Houston-area faves: Vote now By Elizabeth Rhodes

12.9.14  |  2:10 pm

A new reader's choice poll from USA Today, highlighting the 20 best public seasonal light displays in the nation ...

Say thank you

Hospital supporters wrap up holidays with a big gift at glam party Hospital supporters wrap up holidays with a big gift at glam party By Shelby Hodge

12.7.14  |  1:00 pm

Texas Children's Hospital Ambassadors are experts at elegant entertaining and tops in generous giving as witnessed at the annual ...