Happy Tuesday, Grapevine Lake. In today’s edition: Ballerina Afternoon Tea, ICE! featuring Elf, Christmas parade and tree lighting, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

North Texas logistics shake-up: FedEx will lay off 856 employees at its Coppell logistics facility, with layoffs starting in late January and operations closing by April after a client switched third-party providers — read the full story.

Lone Star holiday standouts: GOBankingRates ranked the 50 most affordable cities for holiday lovers, with Grapevine third and Burnet seventh, citing sizable savings, high median incomes, lower costs of living, and strong livability — see savings and livability stats.

Holiday accolades continue: Grapevine, the official Christmas Capital of Texas, was named Best Christmas Town in Newsweek’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year, celebrating 1,400 festive events across 40 days — read the full story.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Celebrate Flower Mound’s parade and tree lighting
• Artisan market benefits Grapevine Public Library
• Compete in GSC Winter Regatta, donate toys
• Celebrate Coppell’s holiday parade and tree lighting
• Enjoy pancakes with Firefighter Santa
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Holiday magic hits streets: Santa Around Town returns from Dec. 8 to 13, with Flower Mound Fire Department escorting the big guy on a fire engine through neighborhoods nightly at 6:30 p.m. Expect lights, sirens, and music, and track his route live on the town website. If your street isn’t covered, mapped viewing spots are marked. Keep clear of the truck. See routes and viewing spots.

Prepare for festive detours: Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas, is closing Historic Main Street to cars on weekends all month, plus a few weekdays, to make room for holiday festivities. Downtown will host drone shows, the Parade of Lights, photos with Santa, tours, and more. Expect multi-day street closures; check dates before you go. See the closure dates.

Weeknight burrito upgrade: Rolling home from the lake? Taqueria Burritos Locos offers low-effort comfort. Think burrito desayuno or a trusty pollo burrito on the way home. Warm tortilla, beans, rice, cheese, and zero dishes… sometimes the most heroic plan is simply a really good burrito.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🩰 Ballerina Afternoon Tea @ The Elmore Hotel | Tuesday (12/2) at 12:00pm – Holiday escapism calls for real china, not travel mugs. The Elmore pours proper loose-leaf while Avant Chamber Ballet slips in Nutcracker excerpts between bites of finger sandwiches, pastries, and nostalgia. Bring the kids for photos, or bring your inner child, both leave with a keepsake.

🀄 Merry Mahjong – Tournament & Holiday Market @ Delta Hotels Dallas Southlake | Wednesday (12/3) at 4:00pm – Bring your lucky tiles and your gift list for a merry mashup of a mahjong tournament, shopping, and snacks. The Scout Guide’s second annual holiday hang benefits Carroll Education Foundation, Christ’s Haven, and GCS Moms League. Win a few hands, shop a little, feel virtuous.

❤️ 2025 Hats for Heart Tea & Luncheon @ The Bowden Events & Wedding Center | Thursday (12/4) at 10:30am – Break out your Sunday hat and your good manners, because this Southlake luncheon pairs tea with a healthy dose of CPR know-how. Rub elbows with the usual movers, support lifesaving training for schools, teams, and public spaces, and leave smarter, not just fuller.

🎄 Christmas Ornaments @ Grapevine Public Library | Friday (12/5) at 10:00am – This first-Friday meetup for ages 55+ at the Grapevine library is all about Christmas ornaments, camaraderie, and zero mess at your house. Supplies and instruction are ready, no registration needed. Bring steady hands, trade tips, leave with something your tree will brag about.

❄️ ICE! featuring Elf @ Gaylord Texan | Friday (12/5) at 11:30am – Want actual winter without braving 635? Step into the Gaylord Texan’s Buddy the Elf ICE! walk-through, kept at a brisk 9 degrees, with parkas provided, hats and gloves encouraged, strollers not. Family-friendly, delightfully kitschy, and there’s a handy half-off deal, if you know, you know.

This weekend

🎉 6 Year Anniversary Celebration @ On The Lamb Yarn Shoppe | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – On the Lamb turns six, so bring your project bag and a healthy respect for yarn math. Charmingewe hosts a trunk show, Lone Star Farm Handcrafted brings shenanigans, the yarn fumes will be strong, and your stash, and social life, will thank you.

🐦 Tales & Trees: Friends with Feather @ Westchester Park | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Trade cartoons for chickadees at Westchester Park, where the Library and Environmental Services spin nature tales and get little hands busy with bird-themed activities. It’s grandparent-approved, best for ages 4 to 9, and muddy, so dress for mess and leave the registration forms at home.

🀄 Merry Mahjong for Power Snacks @ Helping Hands for Little Hearts Pantry | Saturday (12/6) at 5:00pm – Grab your tiles and head to Helping Hands for a festive mahjong night that actually does some good, fueling Power Snacks for students. Beginners to sharks welcome, with raffle prizes, sweet, snacky surprises, and the kind of sellout crowd that makes Flower Mound feel small.

🎄 2025 Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting @ Gerault Park | Saturday (12/6) at 5:30pm – Flower Mound’s big holiday combo platter returns, with a lit-up parade, choirs, Santa pics, food trucks, kid chaos, and the tree lighting, all free. Feeling festive and competitive, apply to join the Parade of Lights, Characters of Christmas theme, and earn eternal neighborhood bragging rights.

🎶 Holiday Concert with HarpEssence @ Cozby Library and Community Commons | Sunday (12/7) at 2:00pm – Trade mall chaos for a little holiday zen at Cozby Library, where HarpEssence fills the room with grand harps, quiet joy, and zero registration forms. Bring the kids, the in-laws, or just your sanity. No sign-up, courtesy of the Friends who truly get us.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/4 The Vocal Majority Christmas Spectacular @ Eisemann Center – 7:30 pm
• 12/5 Primadonna (Madonna tribute) @ Roanoke Live – 8 pm
• 12/6 A Merry Little Christmas Show @ Palace Arts Center – 8 pm
• 12/12 A Bublé Christmas Tribute @ Palace Arts Center – 3 pm
• 12/13 Texas Flood @ Sullivan Texas BBQ – 5 pm
• 12/14 Christmas Radio Show @ Grapevine Public Library – 2 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Adelaide White (Engel&Volkers Dallas Southlake)

This 5-bed, 6-bath modern in Coventry Manor spreads out over 1.1 acres on a cul-de-sac corner in Carroll ISD. Soaring ceilings, sunlit rooms, and whole-home surround sound set an easygoing rhythm. Out back, a sparkling pool and spa with waterfall and lighting turn the tree filled yard into a private resort.

Fresh HVAC in 2024, a 2017 roof, and thoughtful upgrades keep the vibe low maintenance. A 1-bed, 1-bath guest house with full kitchen adds flexibility for visitors or multigenerational living, and the pool house joins the headcount in the total square footage.

Take a peek inside →