Winter is a magical season in the Texas Hill Country. At Morningstar Liberty Hill the holidays are spectacular for every family. This master-planned community is located near the picturesque city of Georgetown, right outside of Austin.
Winner of the coveted award – Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas – Georgetown becomes even more magical during the holiday season. To kick off holiday festivities, the Lighting of the Square is held the Friday after Thanksgiving. Annual events in December include a Holiday Historic Home tour in the Old Town district and The Christmas Stroll, a holiday tradition not to be missed.
At Morningstar Liberty Hill, families know that home is where the heart is. Holiday traditions that are celebrated in a special place, like the comfort of your own home, become cherished memories.
Life Happens in the Kitchen
The group of builders serving Morningstar understand that the kitchen is the hub of the home. Winter holidays are celebrated in different ways around the world and special occasions call for special meals. Many cultures reserve their most sumptuous dishes for the holidays. Whether baking Christmas cookies with the kids or making spring rolls for a Chinese New Year party, the kitchen is the place to socialize with family and friends.
Diwali is a five-day holiday of lights celebrated annually in the fall (exact dates depend on the moon cycle). This year, Diwali starts on November 12. This holiday commemorates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. During a Diwali dinner party, family and friends may be served traditional food, both savory and sweet, as well as Indian chaat (street food).
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Jewish families will celebrate Hanukkah from the evening of December 7 to 15, 2023. The most well-known symbol of this celebration is the menorah, a type of candelabra. One candle is lit each day during Hanukkah. Festivities include singing Hanukkah songs, playing the game of dreidel, and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes.
Kwanzaa (African) is not a religious holiday. It’s a seven-day celebration of African heritage and culture from December 26 to January 1 that features the lighting of the kinara each day, like the lighting of the menorah during Hanukkah. To greet a person celebrating this holiday, you say “Habari gani”, Swahili for “how are you.” Akara, a fritter made from black-eyed peas, is one example of a food that might be served at a Kwanzaa party. Celebrations culminate with a feast of faith, called Karamu Ya Imani.
New Year’s Eve, December 31, marks the last day in the Gregorian calendar and is typically celebrated by a night of merry-making, parties, and feasts. People also observe rituals that are thought to give them good luck in the coming year, like serving certain food to bring wealth (black-eyed peas in the southern part of the US or seven round fruits in Asian countries), wearing polka-dots (to attract wealth), and making noise with fireworks to drive bad spirits away.
Party-Sleep-Repeat
Ever heard of Friendsgiving, a party for people who can’t join their immediate family for Thanksgiving due to distance or work? What about National Make-a-Friend Day in February? This is a great time to throw a holiday party and invite the neighbors.
Research demonstrates that there’s a lot of value in meeting our neighbors face to face, even when -especially when – they’re not like us. Plan a holiday potluck and have guests bring food that represents their own holiday traditions. At Morningstar, a sense of community is anticipated and encouraged. Holiday party planning becomes a breeze when families take advantage of the amenities available to them, like covered event pavilions, fire pit areas, and other shared spaces to gather.
What Would Martha Do?
DIY maven Martha Stewart knows how to party. Here are some of her pro tips to ensure your holiday soiree is a hit. Rome was not built in a day, and neither is a holiday party!
Prep as much ahead as possible so you’ll be able to enjoy the company of your guests. Choose one design element and stick with it. Decorations don’t need to match but a consistent color or theme creates cohesion. Stewart advises party planners to always overestimate when it comes to buying food and drinks! It’s better to have leftovers than it is to run out of food.
By the end of October, friends and families will find their holiday social calendars filling up fast. When planning a holiday party, get those invitations out early. Save time and stamps by using online tools like Evite or Facebook to get the word out. Receiving an invitation in advance makes a guest feel extra special!
The holiday season is a great time to visit Morningstar Liberty Hill. Our home is your home and you’re invited to the party! Plan a visit today.