By Brynna Williamson
You know, one of the best things about living in a small town is that perfect, perfect moment when everyone seems to come together, and the entire community celebrates something. That’s really nice enough when it’s a fishing tournament or the success of a beloved local or someone’s medical recovery. But it’s more than idyllic—it’s magical—when that thing we’re all celebrating is the coming of Christmas.
This year, that was and will be many of our Wood County, Texas communities, including the charming city of Quitman. Quitman’s perfect Hometown Christmas was something I was honestly so excited to go see. I hope you were, too.
‘Tis the Season
If you came to Quitman’s Jim Hogg City Park between high noon and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, you saw not just a Western cowboy shootout, but a perfect Winter Wonderland—seriously and literally.
The 2025 lineup for Quitman’s Hometown Christmas included a Winter Wonderland Walk (which is a little walk-through Christmas tree forest/path lined with lights, animatronics, and more), photos inside a giant, inflatable snow globe, vendors, food trucks, and more.
Hometown Christmas in our Homecounty (Googling it now… is this a word? Ah well; we’ll make it one) of Wood County, Texas definitely has provided for that, too. In addition to those more “laid back but awesome” events, Hometown Christmas also included a beloved Christmas parade, a faux “snow” play zone, a station where kids (or kids at heart!) can write letters to Santa, a bounce house, a petting zoo,mini golf course, a free cookie decorating station, and even “Santa selfies.”
First Baptist Quitman even did a live nativity scene, and Hometown Christmas also showed classic, beloved Christmas movies
And Another Thing
As if Hometown Christmas wasn’t enough, Quitman is bringing Wood County even more, too. The annual Quitman tree lighting event that has been held every year since 2020 was featured. It was created five years ago when beloved Quitman residents Ila Wisdom, Kelly Box, and P.J. Kalenak “decided we needed a Hometown Christmas event.”
“They raised money, bought the tree, and started doing the festival downtown,” explained Joanne Wisdom, the chair of the Hometown Christmas committee. “And then it just kind of grew from there!”
During this quiet, cheery “kick-off” to the Christmas season, which was held on Thanksgiving at 8:00 p.m., the mayor of Quitman said a few words, and then the city lit the giant Christmas tree in downtown Quitman next to the courthouse. After this, citizens were welcomed to participate in some early Black Friday shopping at participating stores downtown.
It Takes a Village
The question is, how can I present all of this wonderful information in such a way that everyone understands how much time, love, and effort went into it on the part of so many citizens, businesses, and city employees?
Suffice it to say that—well—when they say it “takes a village” to do something right, they aren’t kidding. Wisdom says that she estimatesit took about 25volunteers “a couple hundred” hours—between 200 and 500, to be exact—to bring our beloved Wood County its Quitman Hometown Christmas. “It is (all) worth it! I love Christmas!” said Wisdom.
The Sheriff’s Department decorates the Christmas tree on the square. Wood County decorates the courthouse. The police department leads the parade and does the behind-the-scenes work for everyone’s safety. The city council does many things, including helping with setup and purchasing lights. The fire department participates in the parade and gives Santa Claus himself a ride atop the fire truck. The generous sponsors help pay for everything, to keep everything totally free for citizens. The Chamber of Commerce, through the Hometown Christmas committee, plans it all.
And, of course, one of the most, if not the most important part? “Oh absolutely, (if the community didn’t come, then it wouldn’t happen),” said Wisdom. “It’s all about that; and it’s always been important that it was a free event. That’s the whole point, is that it provides something fun for the community to come together and do, and for the kids to enjoy, that is open to everyone.”
It sounds like a cliché, but it’s actually true. If citizens didn’t take time out of their day to come be part of this idyllic Wood County, Texas experience, Hometown Christmas would cease to exist; and that’s something that organizers just can’t have. After all, parts of the Quitman Christmas events have been going on “since as long as anybody can remember,” says Wisdom.
So, just a reminder: Hometown Christmas will, as always, be awesome (and free, except for any items at third-party vendors) next year. It’ll feature a Winter Wonderland Walk, letters to and photos with Santa, a free cookie decorating station, a showing of some Christmas movies, a “snow” play zone, a live nativity, and vendors. Can I count on seeing you there in 2026?