By Brynna Williamson
If you’re looking to experience the most wonderful time of the year—if Christmas is your jam, or if you like Hallmark movies, or if you want to be happy—Wood County, Texas is the place to be. I don’t know how to put it more bluntly.
The goodwill, cheer, friendship, selflessness, and absolute celebration of Jesus is everywhere.
You read in the local newspapers, and they’re full of stories like that of a few weeks ago. A local store owner begins a gift drive to give every nursing home resident in several local towns a personalized gift.
You scroll through Facebook, and it’s “Come get snickerdoodle cookies,” “Private message me if you would like a free Christmas tree,” “Santa will be at the real estate agency today if anyone wants to get pet photos,” and “Be sure to come see the annual Hometown Christmas in Winnsboro, including the amazing Christmas Parade!”
You drive through Mineola to get to Walmart, and everywhere is sparkling green tinsel, effervescent angel lights, and—if you listen closely—you just might hear some Christmas music playing from the speakers at the Mineola Chamber of Commerce.
If you’re from here, you might even get the low-down on where Santa is going to be at all times. You might have attended any one of our local Christmas parades (there were three, just last Saturday. Three! Wood County Texas does not skimp on Christmas).
But if you’re not from here, or you seem to have missed out on catching the holiday spirit with the rest of us, let me give you a heads-up. You haven’t missed it all yet—not by a long shot.
Things to Do
For starters, everyone loves a good Christmas movie. Whether “A Christmas Story” is more your style or you’re into classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the Lake Country Playhouse & Historic Select Theater has your back. Every year our lovely Wood County theater is decorated with amazing lights, brings out jolly Saint Nick, and plays good ol’ movies for everyone to enjoy. From an interactive “Elf” movie-watching party (careful… It sells out quickly!) to having everyone settle in for the heartwarming “Miracle on 34th Street,” the theater is the place to go for holly jolly cheer.
The Mineola library is having an open house this month. Don’t spread the word, but we’ve even heard Santa Claus may make an appearance! Goodies and Christmas music will be readily available at our hometown library.
Also, G&S Sales in Quitman has begun a raffle for “the World’s Largest Stocking.” It’s huge! There’s no other way to describe such a gargantuan sock. Look it up.
Finally, there are numerous candlelight services at churches across Wood County. One such is at the First Methodist Church in Mineola, whose Facebook announcement regarding the event says it all: “May God richly bless you as we once again experience the great truth drawn from the Hymn ‘O Holy Night:’ The King of Kings was born in a manger, in all our trials, He was born to be our friend. He knows our need.”
The service will feature “stained glass and greenery” and will feature “classic Christmas hymns and a reading of the Gospel about the birth of Christ, and close with candlelight worship to the hymn ‘Silent Night.’”
Things to See
If you want to participate in the Christmas festivities but don’t find yourself with a lot of time on your hands, no worries—there are many things to do that aren’t “timed.” You can just drive by and see them, or it’ll just take a few minutes.
For instance, the Historical Museum in Mineola always puts tons of time, effort, and money into displaying a really cute drive-through Christmas light path. The display features the Grinch (who is safely locked away in an old jail cell), moving lights, Santa’s house, and sometimes even Christmas music!
Of course, Wood County, Texas is also known for its amazing shops, boutiques, and stores. And, true to our bent here in Wood County, almost all of them are decorated for Christmas. They’re so cute! Shop owners put a lot of time into making each one look different and adorable. I highly recommend just driving through and window shopping—you might even find that last present you needed to pick up!
Come experience the magic of Christmas at the Country Christmas Market in Winnsboro! Shop from an amazing array of vendors. Enjoy Christmas music all day. Take a ride on a mule-driven carriage. And snap some unique photos with Santa next to Winnsboro’s one-of-a-kind mosaic tractor!
If you’re looking to see houses decorated for Christmas lights, Quitman would be the place to go. I’ll put it like this: among other awards for Christmas lights, the Quitman Chamber of Commerce literally has a “Brightest/Griswold” award to give away to the person whose house seems the most festive and cheery.
Places to Help
There are always a plethora of places to volunteer around this time of year, too—places that are really rewarding to give your time and energy to, such as the Community Christmas for Seniors Gift Drive, which is associated with Boom Nutrition in Mineola. There’s also Caring and Sharing, the Mineola Community Friends 2nd Annual “Friendsmas,” any local food bank, or any one of the local gift drives. You can even ring bells for the Salvation Army!
Living in Wood County is like living in a Hallmark movie. Go get a mug of hot chocolate. Take your kids to see Santa (we know that guy!). Eat a cookie, drive around, go see Christmas lights. Listen to some Christmas music. Participate in a candlelight service at a local church. This is the most joyous time of the year, and it seems you’ve found yourself in the right place to celebrate it, my friend.