10 Unique Holiday Things Only Texans Take Pride In

When it comes to Christmas, Texas doesn’t do anything small, we do it big, bold, and in a way only Texans can truly appreciate. Growing up in West Texas and raising my own family here, I’ve learned that our holiday traditions are a language all their own. From the foods we serve to the way we decorate, Christmas in Texas just hits differently. If you're new to the Lone Star State, here’s your crash course on the uniquely Texan ways we celebrate the season.

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1. Tamales: The Official State Christmas Food of Texas

Ask any Texan what they're eating Christmas Eve, and they'll tell you tamales. Pork, beef, chicken, red sauce, green sauce, it doesn’t matter. Tamales are the heart of a Texas Christmas table.

2. Blue Bell’s Christmas Flavors Are a Big Deal

Peppermint Bark. Christmas Cookies. Eggnog. Texans don’t just buy these seasonal Blue Bell flavors. At my house, we are Bluebell hoarders. We stockpile it as if it were gold bars.

3. Deer Corn in the Stockings

West Texans know: deer season does not take a holiday. More than one stocking has been stuffed with deer corn, trail-cam batteries, or a bottle of doe-in-heat urine. Then there's the one stocking for Santa's reindeer. My family prepares one stocking with a little "Reindeer Corn" in it, which Santa feeds to his reindeer.

4. Luminarias and Farolitos Light Up the Night

Across Texas, especially in the Panhandle, Hill Country, and border towns, Christmas means lining sidewalks with glowing brown paper bags filled with sand and candles.

5. Texas Ornament Collections

Texans decorate their Christmas trees with pride, and personality. Ornaments shaped like the state of Texas, cowboy boots, longhorns, oil derricks, armadillos, and Lone Star flags show up on trees across West Texas. These ornaments tell family stories, reflect our roots, and make every tree look uniquely Texan.

6. Christmas at the Ranch Is a Whole Tradition

Many families in West Texas spend Christmas morning feeding livestock before opening presents. Santa may land on rooftops everywhere else, but out here, he’s touching down in the pasture.

7. Homemade Pralines and Texas Pecans

The pecan is the official state tree, so naturally, it shows up in everything pies, candies, pralines, you name it.

8. Weather That Can’t Make Up Its Mind

Only in Texas can you need a coat at sunrise, flip-flops by lunch, and a hoodie by evening. Christmas weather here is just a suggestion.

9. Christmas Light Trails Texas-Style

Whether it’s the Abilene Zoo, Buffalo Gap, or one of our small-town courthouse squares, Texans take pride in big, bright, over-the-top light displays.

10. The After-Church Christmas Feast

Texans don’t just eat. We graze, brisket, chili, tamales, queso, sweet tea, and at least five dessert options.

Why Texans Love These Traditions

These Texas Christmas traditions feel familiar, comforting, and uniquely ours. They’re a reflection of our faith, our families, our food, and the way we live life here in the Lone Star State, big, heartfelt, and always proud.

Read More: Celebrate Christmas With Winnie The Pooh In Abilene