I have always enjoyed the sport of people watching, whether in Jackson square or Trafalgar. Well now that preparations for Christmas are well under way I’ve discovered another hobby closely akin it. I call it house watching. Now before you draw comparisons between my new pastime and stocking, allow me to explain. A few nights ago I took my son and my nephew out for what turned out to be quite a long walk to look at Christmas lights. Like going to an off Broadway play, we strolled the nicer neighborhoods between Holly Tree and the mall, barely on the west side of sixty- nine.
Not all of the homes were decorated of course, but a number had some really nice displays that quite captivated the boys. I was slightly surprised to find some really beautiful homes in the area that actually, in my opinion, rivaled those in even more upscale neighborhoods like Holly Tree and the Cascades. While I admit it is a little shameless, I found myself catching glimpses in the windows of Trees, decorations and even the homes themselves. I suppose it’s natural to wonder and speculate about the folks who live there. I felt a bit like a Hugo or Dickens character, wandering through the wealthier districts of town at night, in the cold December air wondering about other men’s families and how they celebrate the holidays. It was enough to send me reaching for a copy of A Christmas Carol upon my arrival home.
At any rate Tyler is a fine city in which to spend the Christmas holidays. It’s cold, but tolerably so. A wool coat and a scarf, (if you’re into that sort of thing), is usually sufficient and you can still experience the traditional Christmas nostalgia as you take the kids “house watching” though the decorated neighborhoods with cups of coffee or hot chocolate.
So what’s my point? Simply this: Enjoying the Christmas Season in Tyler doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money in these tough financial times. Maybe it just means taking a cool walk down a brightly lit street and finding that you’re pretty thankful for the blessings that are already in your life. Merry Christmas Tyler! Enjoy the Holidays, and don’t forget to take in the lights!
Every year Marshall Texas become a Christmas wonderland. The whole town is lighten up with colorful lights. The festival includes over one million lights and the town displays hundreds of Christmas light displays. The event begins Wednesday before Thanksgiving and it ends New Year’s Eve. The town will open an outdoor ice skating rink. The ice skating rink will be open through January 17.
The light display will be the biggest this year than any other year in the past. There will be Ice Dancing performances, celebrity chef cooking classes, a mini-express train ride, a 15 feet tall snow globe for people to take pictures in front of, street performers, and even a petting zoo that will have a reindeer. Santa and his elves will be there to interact with guests and young children.
The Historic Harrison County Courthouse is decorated with over 125,000 tiny white lights, and it is one of Marshall’s prides of the Christmas displays. This is one of the best light displays in East Texas. Your whole family will love the different fun Christmas events. So take the trip to Marshall to see the beautiful displays for yourself and enjoy a great time and enjoy the great food and keep warm with a great hot chocolate.
As the Holidays are just around the corner one of the biggest attraction off of I-20 will open its gates November 1st. Santa Land is a drive thru display of Christmas lights. As you enter the magical land you are asked to turn your radio to their channel and listen to the music matching the light display.
Every time you drive thru Santa Land you discover something else. Santa Land has all different displays; your kids will love the tunnels of colorful lights, mermaids, elves, reindeer, and Santa’s workshop.
Santa Land has become a huge tradition for many families in East Texas. There is nothing like seeing a little kid’s face light up with excitement when they see the flashing, colorful lights. Many families will drive a truck out there, and after they park their other cars, their family will pile in the back of the truck with blankets and hot chocolate.
After you drive thru the first few light displays you will enter the displays of Precious Moments angels. Each “angel” is a remembrance of a child that had passed away. Santa Land has all different displays of the story of Jesus Christ from His birth, to His death on the cross, to Him raising from the dead.
You pay half way thru the display and pay either according to amount of people, or size of van or family car. After you have gone thru the light displays you can stop by the shop to find all different Christmas decorations and hot drinks. Santa Land is a great way to spend time with your family and celebrate Christmas together.
Caffé Tazza is an Italian coffee shop centrally located in a precinct behind Tyler Mall. They serve delicious, authentic European coffee in hand-painted mugs and cups. They also have cakes, panini, and gelato (to die for!) plus healthy options like bran-filled muffins. On the weekends they have an omelette bar where the chef cooks up your breakfast in front of you and you can choose your ingredients – my tip, don’t forget the homemade salsa! For lunch there are soups and sandwiches, oh and there are iced teas, granita and herbal teas too.
My café latte was beautifully finished with a heart shaped flourish in the froth by the skilful barista. My daughter enjoyed a hot chocolate and a Belgian waffle that I wished I’d ordered myself!
Caffe Tazza also has the benefit of being licensed to sell alcohol. How nice to be able to sip a glass of Italian wine after work with a friend and not have to buy a meal or have to go a wine bar.
The atmosphere is classy and slightly arty. One of the highlights for me is that there is a lovely outside patio area with little tables and generous overhead umbrellas and plant-filled window boxes. They have also have live music every Thursday evening and frequent art exhibitions.
Prices are very reasonable for the quality of beverage, food and service provided. To purchase the gorgeous imported china to take home will cost you an arm and a leg though!
One negative is that it doesn’t open late enough in the evening on the weekends – I’m hopeful that the hours will be extended as it’s popularity increases so that I can relax there chatting to a friend over a drink or bowl of gelato while the sun goes down in summer!
Having a coffee (or something more) at Café Tazza makes you feel special. It is quite affordable and a real treat. Go on – visit Cafe Tazza regularly– you deserve it!
Every year Marshall Texas become a Christmas wonderland. The whole town is lighten up with colorful lights. The festival includes over one million lights and the town displays hundreds of Christmas light displays. The event begins Wednesday before Thanksgiving and it ends New Year’s Eve. The town will open an outdoor ice skating rink. The ice skating rink will be open through January 17.
