Happy Monday, loves, and happy 10th day of the 12 Days of Giftsmas! This year’s Giftsmas has truly been a joy and the gifts just keep getting better and better! Today we are giving away a $280 worth of skin care products from Dermalogica. To enter to win one for yourself or to give as a gift, just stop by my instagram!
jacket: old navy | jeans: old navy | sherpa mules: target
Whether few or many, we’ve all grown up with holiday traditions. My favorite traditions growing up were decorating cookies on Christmas Eve, ringing a bell on Christmas morning to wake everyone up before presents, and chopping down our Christmas tree (even though we may have complained more than not as kids). The thing I wasn’t expecting about experiencing Christmas as a parent was the opportunity to start our own traditions. Of course we’ve carried some traditions forward from both of our upbringings, but we’ve also had such joy creating our own.
Travis and I have some “couple” traditions since getting married like watching Christmas Vacation after cooking duck. We’ve also created some for our family as well though, like doing advent together every Sunday in December. Others include making hot cocoa and driving through the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights, and doing a fun “Christmas-themed” event every day of December. The cool thing about traditions is that they can start naturally, but you can also start them intentionally.
Two weekends ago Travis and I had the chance to escape for a little getaway to the Gaylord Texan Resort. The whole time we were there we kept finding ourselves saying “we have to bring the girls back here for a staycation every December.” We both agreed that spending a full day at the Gaylord Texan and an evening would be a great way for our family to get in the Christmas spirit and experience a range of holiday activities.
Gaylord Texan Christmas Activities
- ICE!
- Rudolph Breakfast
- Ice Skating
- Snow Tubing
- Gingerbread Decorating Corner
- Snow Ball Throwing
- Build-a-bear Workshop
- Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions
- Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Breakfast
- Santa!
Can you believe all they offer? It’s kind of crazy and it’s all in one place and all inside (except the ice skating). It’s truly a Christmas dream for kids. The atrium of the hotel is full of Christmas wonders, too! There is a mini train that drives around an extensive train track and through the cutest little toy town.
Travis and I didn’t partake in all the Christmas activities since we were kid-less, but we did go to ICE! and are so glad we did. For those that are unfamiliar, ICE! is a themed winter wonderland carved out of over two million pounds of ice! It’s truly spectacular. The ticket prices are very reasonable, too. Once you get there, they give everyone a big heavy parka to wear to keep you warm as you walk through the exhibit. In addition to all the fabulous ice sculptures, there are slides made of ice and an ice bar for the adults. If I’m being transparent here, I went twice that weekend. I went once with my sister the first night and then again with Travis the next night and it was just as good the second time! It’s an awesome activity for kids and adults alike.
Activities add up, so I recommend the following tips to save a little money while you’re enjoying everything the beautiful Gaylord has to offer.
Money Saving Tips:
- Garage Parking – opt for garage parking instead of valet as it’s half the cost. The garage is incredibly close to the hotel and has a covered walkway from the garage to the lobby.
- Bring snacks – kids are eternally hungry, am I right? The Gaylord has several little shops where you can get snacks and food if needed, but I recommend bringing your own kid-friendly snacks to keep in your room.
- Choose the Buffet – several of the restaurants offer a buffet option and it seems to be the best bang for your buck, especially with kids.
- Utilize the room coffee – there is a really cute coffee shop near the main lobby, but if you are looking to save a dime or two, I recommend drinking the coffee in the room; it’s good!
- Bring water bottles – this is something we try to do no matter where we go, but it’s easy to forget. Each room comes with complimentary water, but it’s not enough for a whole family. I recommend bringing your own water bottles.
I hope you found this post helpful and I cannot wait to hear about your experience! If you’re a DFW family, this is most definitely the place to go for everything holiday and kid-friendly!
