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Happy Friday, The Woodlands. In today’s edition: Christmas lights guide, Santa’s Merry Mingle, Toby Powell Conroe Christmas Celebration, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Major campus changes ahead: Spring ISD will close Link Elementary and Dueitt Middle for the 2026-27 school year after losing over $13 million in federal funding, with students to be rezoned to other campuses — see where students are reassigned.
Dazzling displays await: The 2025 Christmas lights guide for The Woodlands features an interactive map updated throughout the season, with walk-throughs and highlights like Holiday on The Waterway and Market Street in Lights — explore the interactive map.
Home charging pitfalls explained: Veteran Electric Inc has recertified as a Tesla Wall Connector installer in Montgomery and Harris County, warning that many homes require panel upgrades and permits as EV adoption rises — get all the details.
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.
Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.
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🫶 We got your back
Celebrate the season together: Mark your calendar: The Woodlands Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Concert lands at The Woodlands First Baptist Church on Saturday, Dec. 21. Doors 5 p.m., music 6 p.m., with sing-along carols, three Messiah selections, a lucky audience-conducted Sleigh Ride, and an Ode to Joy finale. General admission is $10 on Eventbrite, and limited VIP seats are available with a $50 donation. Get all the details.
A merry community gathering: The Woodlands Winter Makers Market pops up Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming. This free, family-friendly fest features handcrafted gifts, food trucks, and reindeer games. KidZone wristbands unlock a trackless train, crafts, putt-putt, inflatables, and more. Get all the details.
Hair day, upgraded: Whether you want grow-out-friendly balayage, a sleek blowout before a Waterway dinner, or keratin smoothing to tame frizz, Parlour in the Woods delivers thoughtful color, extensions, and treatments, so your hair looks intentional, not accidental.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.
Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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.
Today
🍽️ 20th Annual Madrigal Dinner @ Montgomery High School | Friday (12/12) at 6:30pm – This beloved tradition is reviving the castle vibes with its 20th Annual Madrigal Dinner, all hearty cheer, pageantry, and soaring harmonies. Think Renaissance feast without the drafty hall. Grab seats at montgomerychoir.ludus.com, say prithee once, then enjoy the music, and company.
🦌 TWWC Reindeer Games: Girls’ Night Pajama Party @ Blossom House | Friday (12/12) at 7:00pm – Girls’ night calls for jammies, mocktails with a Prosecco sidecar, and competitive Christmas shenanigans you can play in slippers. Dessert table, cute photo ops, a women-only vibe, and just 40 spots, so claim yours, wear fuzzy socks, and bring your holiday sass.
This weekend
🎅 Santa’s Merry Mingle @ The Woodlands Children’s Museum | Saturday (12/13) at 9:00am – Skip the mall chaos and let the kiddos mingle with Santa, build gingerbread, play in snow, and high-five Olaf, while you sip coffee and enjoy marionettes, Mrs. Claus, and live tunes. Pro photos you’ll actually frame, kids $30, adults $10.
🛍️ Shopping Day at Round Top Collection Gallery @ Round Top Collection Gallery | Saturday (12/13) at 10:00am – Retail therapy with a purpose. Browse fall and holiday décor, including custom pieces for Aggie Moms, at Round Top Collection Gallery in The Woodlands, mention Kingwood/Humble Aggie Moms, and 20 percent goes to scholarships. Bring your shopping buddies, justify that third wreath, and feel virtuous.
🎄 Toby Powell Conroe Christmas Celebration – Presented by Hiland Dairy Foods @ Heritage Park | Saturday (12/13) at 11:00am – Round up the crew for Conroe’s big holiday shindig, complete with pony rides, snow slides in Texas, and inflatables that tire the kids faster than coffee helps you. Snap pics with Santa, browse the vendor market, and sip something warm, festive, and forgiving.
🔮 Alchemy of Endings & Beginnings: A Manifestation Ceremony @ Saha Yoga & Wellness House | Sunday (12/14) at 12:00pm – Nothing says year-end like ditching resolutions for crystals. Join Emily and Fran for a manifestation ceremony with sound, Reiki, tarot, and a DIY talisman of obsidian, red jasper, and clear quartz to close 2025 and call in 2026 with clarity, and a quiet nervous system.
🎬 Celebrating Raj Kapoor @ Hindu Temple of The Woodlands | Sunday (12/14) at 4:30pm – Take a break from the usual Netflix rut and bask in a tribute to Raj Kapoor, with live song, dance, and storytelling by Sa Re Ga Ma winners. Nostalgia, top-notch vocals, and it all benefits HTW, so no guilt, only goosebumps: https://woodlandshindutemple.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/25228
🎸 Hamilton Loomis Christmas Show at Main Street Crossing @ Main Street Crossing | Sunday (12/14) at 6:00pm – Main Street Crossing is serving Christmas cheer the grown-up way, with Hamilton Loomis laying down bluesy grooves, big guitar, and zero mall jingle energy. It is all ages, so bring the kids, the in-laws, and your patience, then let rhythm do the babysitting.
Next week
🎉 Family Place Grand Opening! @ Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library | Monday (12/15) at 10:00am – Kick off this playful new space with a ribbon cutting, light treats, and even a Santa sighting. Little ones can explore toys, books, and hands-on activities while caregivers mingle with reps from the Barbara Bush Foundation. It’s cozy, festive, and built just for families to learn and play together.
💻 Get Tech-Savvy: Join Our Open Lab for Computer Help @ Moody Neighborhood Library | Monday (12/15) at 11:00am – Got computer woes or just want to level up your tech game? Drop in for one-on-one help from library staff who can untangle software snags, walk you through new programs, or boost your digital confidence. It’s low-pressure, hands-on learning for all skill levels.
📸 Santa and Mrs. Claus Pictures at Chick-fil-A Grand Parkway North! @ Chick-fil-A | Tuesday (12/16) at 6:00pm – Santa and Mrs. Claus are making a one-hour pit stop at Chick-fil-A Grand Parkway North, so bring the kids, the grandparents, and your patience. Snag a free festive photo, then reward negotiations with nuggets. First come, first served, and the line closes fast.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🎶 Live music & entertainment
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🏠️ Price is right – The Woodlands edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Philip Thomas (Keller Williams Realty The Woodlands)
Gated East Shore estate with lake views and curved balconies. Chef’s kitchen opens to family and breakfast areas, plus a study with fireplace, formal dining, wine room, and butler’s pantry. Main level primary suite brings dual closets, separate commode rooms, and a sitting room, plus a guest suite, pool bath, utility, and elevator.
Upstairs adds five ensuite bedrooms, game and media rooms, and a second utility. Private guest quarters crown the three car garage. Outside, heated lap pool, covered patio, outdoor kitchen, and gated courtyard. Central vac, 2025 water heaters, Sonos, smart systems, generator, plus clubhouse gym and pool.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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