Sponsored by

Y’all ready for some holiday magic, Texas-style? 🌟

‘Tis the season for Texas-sized holiday magic! Whether you’re dreaming of a luxury ranch escape straight out of a Hallmark movie, hunting for an affordable rustic retreat under $100K, or simply looking to sip cocoa under the glow of twinkling lights, this edition has your holiday wishlist covered.

From modern barndominiums that could become your perfect Christmas morning backdrop to the best neighborhoods in Dallas-Fort Worth for holiday lights, we’re unwrapping all the festive inspiration you need this season. And for those craving something outdoors, Texas State Parks are serving up cozy fireside stories and snowmen—Texas-style.

Get ready to add sparkle, charm, and a touch of Texas cheer to your holidays. Let’s dive in! 🎄✨

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• A $7.2 Million Modern Ranch: The Perfect Holiday Escape 🐎

• 11 Affordable Barndominiums Under $100K: Your Rustic Holiday Dream Home 🏠

• Why Spray Foam Insulation is the Ultimate Christmas Gift for Your Texas Barndominium 🏠

• Twinkle, Twinkle: DFW's 9 Best Neighborhoods for Holiday Lights ✨

• Celebrate the Holidays Texas-Style at a State Park 🌳✨

📈 Trending news

• 11 Holiday Decorating Tips to Make Your Texas Home Shine Bright

• The Story Behind Houston’s River Oaks Christmas Lights

• Panhandle BBQ Joint Serves Up Tradition With a Fresh Twist

• The Best of Texas in 2025: What to See, Taste, and Experience

• How Holiday Debt Could Impact Your Homebuying Plans

A $7.2 Million Modern Ranch: The Perfect Holiday Escape 🐎 Read the full 552-word article here

Article published: December 16, 2024

If Santa traded his sleigh for a luxury ranch, you’d find him at Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine, Texas. Spanning 10 picturesque acres, this modern equestrian estate feels like a holiday miracle—blending rustic charm with cutting-edge luxury. At its heart is a stunning three-story custom home, built in 2022, that boasts an 80-foot saltwater pool, koi ponds flanking the front door, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing views of gently sloping pastures.

Perfect for hosting the ultimate holiday gathering, this estate features an open-concept living room ideal for fireside chats and an underground home theater with Dynaudio sound for movie marathons. For those with equine companions, the property’s seven-stall horse barn and irrigated arenas ensure they’ll be pampered like royalty this Christmas. It’s luxury living, wrapped in a Texas bow.

Key Takeaways:

• 🎁 Perfect holiday retreat: The 4,353-square-foot home offers cozy yet sleek spaces, ideal for festive gatherings or quiet winter escapes.

• 🐴 Equestrian wonderland: Includes a seven-stall barn, irrigated riding arena, training pen, and sweeping fenced pastures for happy horses.

• ❄️ Luxury meets sustainability: Features geothermal heating/cooling, discreet solar panels, and a garage with EV charging stations.

• 🎬 Holiday movie magic: An underground theater with Dynaudio sound, concert walls, and wine storage makes movie nights unforgettable.

11 Affordable Barndominiums Under $100K: Your Rustic Holiday Dream Home 🏠 Watch the full 22-min video here

Video published: December 16, 2024

If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up on Christmas morning in a cozy, rustic home with room for family and festivities, these 11 prefab barndominiums under $100K might be your holiday miracle. Combining barn charm with modern living, barndominiums offer the perfect blend of affordability and space. Take the ‘Getaway’ kit, for example: 1,131 sq. ft. of comfort, complete with a screened-in porch for sipping hot cocoa and a two-car garage perfect for sleigh parking—all for just $33,900.

Need more space for holiday gatherings? The 4,000 sq. ft. ‘Liberty’ kit feels like a family lodge straight out of a Christmas movie. The catch? The under-$100K price covers only the shell and structure, so you’ll need to deck the halls—along with plumbing, windows, and insulation—yourself. But with a little work, these barndominiums become the perfect blank canvas for creating your dream holiday retreat and next year’s picture-perfect Christmas card.

Key Takeaways:

• 🎁 Festive and affordable: Kits like the ‘Getaway’ ($33,900) provide cozy living spaces with room for family holiday traditions (8:00).

• 🏗️ DIY-friendly charm: While affordable, barndominiums require finishing touches like plumbing, insulation, and windows to become holiday-ready (10:35).

• 🎄 Room for the whole family: Larger kits like the ‘Liberty’ (4,000 sq. ft.) are perfect for hosting big Christmas dinners and cozy fireside nights (15:46).

• 🔧 Custom holiday magic: Kits offer flexibility for garages, porches, and weather-specific features to make your dream home both functional and festive (19:10).

Why Spray Foam Insulation is the Ultimate Christmas Gift for Your Texas Barndominium 🏠 Watch the full 21-min video here

Video published: December 16, 2024

Nothing says Texas holiday comfort like a toasty barndominium, and spray foam insulation might just be the unsung hero of cozy Christmas mornings. In this video, Josh Helm from Texas Best Barndominium highlights the game-changing benefits of spray foam insulation in a 2,600 sq. ft. living space paired with a 2,000 sq. ft. shop. Like a Yeti cooler for your home, closed-cell foam eliminates condensation on steel structures, ensuring your interior stays dry and warm, even on the chilliest winter days.

Beyond warmth, spray foam creates an airtight seal, keeping out moisture, drafts, and allergens—so you can enjoy a snug holiday season without worrying about that Texas wind. And with soundproofing benefits, you can sip cocoa in peace, no matter how loudly Santa touches down on that metal roof. Efficient, versatile, and ideal for barndominium living, spray foam insulation is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Key Takeaways:

• 🎁 Warm for the holidays: Closed-cell foam prevents condensation on steel, keeping barndominiums dry, insulated, and draft-free in winter (2:46).

• 🛠️ Airtight magic: Spray foam seals every gap, blocking moisture and allergens to create a healthier, cozier indoor environment (8:21).

• 🔇 Soundproof comfort: Spray foam reduces noise, so rain on the metal roof becomes a gentle holiday soundtrack, not a loud distraction (14:12).

• 🎄 Versatile insulation: Perfect for barndominiums, spray foam adapts to irregular shapes, rooflines, and hybrid wood-and-steel structures (13:35).

Twinkle, Twinkle: DFW's 9 Best Neighborhoods for Holiday Lights ✨ Read the full 1,348-word article here

Article published: December 9, 2024

Ready to add some sparkle to your holiday season? The Dallas Morning News has rounded up nine of the best neighborhoods in Dallas-Fort Worth where the Christmas lights shine brighter than Rudolph’s nose. From Plano’s iconic Deerfield neighborhood, where dazzling displays battle for the top spot, to the Swiss Avenue Historic District, where turn-of-the-century estates give off It’s a Wonderful Life vibes, there’s magic around every corner.

Looking for something quirky? Electric Lizzyland in Dallas steals the show with “kilos of glitter” and a 6-foot abominable snowman. Or head to Arlington’s Interlochen neighborhood, where a 40-year tradition pairs hundreds of displays with festive tunes on 102.1 FM. Whether you’re sipping hot cocoa in McKinney’s Regents Park or driving under the twinkling lights of Highland Park, these stops are guaranteed to light up your holidays and create memories to last the season.

Key Takeaways:

• 🌟 Plano’s Deerfield dazzles: A decades-old tradition of competitive light displays, best enjoyed on weeknights to avoid crowds.

• 🎨 Electric Lizzyland thrills: Liz Simmons’ home in Old East Dallas is a quirky art installation of glitter, lights, and vintage decor.

• 🕯️ Luminaries in McKinney: Regents Park features thousands of hand-folded, candle-lit bags, cider stations, and a visit from Santa.

• 🚗 Interlochen's festive drive: Arlington’s 40-year tradition boasts over 200 displays with a synchronized holiday music playlist on 102.1 FM.

Celebrate the Holidays Texas-Style at a State Park 🌳✨ Read the full 447-word article here

Article published: December 5, 2024

This season, discover the magic of Texas State Parks. Walk through the glowing history of Mission Espiritu Santo at Goliad, help Santa find his missing reindeer at Lake Whitney, or follow clues in Buescher’s festive forest scavenger hunt.

For a peaceful escape, join a Boxing Day bird walk at Galveston Island’s coastline. Whether it’s light displays, holiday adventures, or serene nature walks, Texas State Parks offer unforgettable holiday moments for everyone. 🌲

Key Takeaways:

• 🕯️ History in Lights at Goliad State Park & Historic Site: Take a walk through the history of Mission Espiritu Santo as lights and shadows transport you back in time.

• 🦌 Where’s Santa? Holiday Scavenger Hunt at Lake Whitney State Park: Help Santa find his missing reindeer in a fun-filled scavenger hunt.

• 🎅 Fa La La in the Forest Scavenger Hunt at Buescher State Park: Follow the trail of ornaments with clues to find the hidden cache. Share your favorite part of the adventure in the journal!

• 🐦 Boxing Day birds at Galveston Island State Park: Take a peaceful, guided bird walk along the beach at Galveston Island State Park.

Learn about more special events at Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Presented by Copper Stone Mountain: 10-Acre Mountaintop Estates with Barndo Shell – Don’t Miss This Holiday Opportunity!

This holiday season, treat yourself to the ultimate Texas retreat—and take advantage of the Holiday Savings Incentive when you inquire today!

Discover Copper Stone Mountain, where stunning 10-acre estates meet endless possibilities. Complete with a 1,200 sq. ft. barndo shell, it’s the perfect foundation for your dream getaway.

Surrounded by peaceful ponds, meandering creeks, and hardwood forests, you’ll enjoy both serenity and convenience—just 15 minutes from Hamilton, TX, and centrally located between Fort Worth and Austin.

With private paved roads, gated entrances, and financing available, there’s never been a better time to invest in a place where memories and traditions will thrive for years to come. Don’t miss out on this special holiday opportunity—contact us today to learn more!

Why It Matters

The holidays are about moments that matter—gathering with loved ones, creating new traditions, and savoring the magic of the season. Whether it’s hosting Christmas morning at a dream ranch, discovering dazzling light displays, or escaping to a cozy barndominium, these stories inspire ways to make the holidays extraordinary.

This year, trade the ordinary for something unforgettable. From twinkling lights to Texas trails, rustic escapes to luxury retreats—make this season one filled with warmth, wonder, and the kind of memories you’ll treasure forever.

Here’s to a Christmas as big and bright as Texas itself. 🎄✨

Hannah Collinsworth
Editor-in-Chief
Houston, Texas
Texas Property Round Up

P.S. – Don’t miss your chance to explore the latest release at Copper Stone Mountain! Discover stunning new inventory featuring sprawling hardwoods, breathtaking views, and unbeatable privacy—perfect for those seeking the very best. With special preview savings, this is the opportunity to secure your dream mountaintop estate. Click here to learn more.