We asked Dallas tastemakers for their seasonal staples—those items that, for them, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without. Go Easy’s Molly Mathias shares her favorites.
Favorite gift shop: Beatnik, Favor the Kind, Dude Sweet Chocolate, or CocoAndré
Favorite host or hostess gift: Food! Everyone loves a snack or sweet. I’ll grab some chocolate or macarons on the way to a party.
Go-to place for gift wrap: Most small businesses have wrapping at the holidays and I always take advantage! Just ask!
Best place to buy a holiday party outfit: Beatnik
Go-to holiday catering company: Taco y Vino—no one dislikes tacos at a party
Go-to holiday cocktail or spirit: I don’t drink, so I make a non-alcoholic spritz with Kin Euphoric
Favorite non-alcoholic holiday drink: Eggnog or hot chocolate—Coco Andre makes an amazing hot chocolate (they even have vegan hot chocolate)!
Favorite holiday sweet treat: Fudge! My mom never let me have fudge when I was a child. She didn’t like sticky things, so now I only eat fudge at Christmas, and it’s my favorite holiday treat. I’m also a sucker for Emporium Pies’ winter pies.
Dish your holiday spread would be incomplete without: We stopped cooking on Christmas years ago because we are so tired from the holiday season. We usually order a huge Chinese food spread from Jeng Chi and pick it up Christmas afternoon. The main event is always the soup dumplings.
Favorite holiday tunes: Kacey Musgraves’ A Very Kacey Christmas
Favorite holiday flick:While You Were Sleeping
Favorite holiday scent: Vanilla Cookie
Go-to source for holiday decor: I try to buy ornaments or wrapping paper from local Oak Cliff shops. Most local small shops have holiday décor in stock around the holidays.
Must-have decorative item: Christmas tree trimmings from Home Depot. Just ask and they’re free!
Your favorite holiday tradition: I buy treats from Proper Baking Co. for a Christmas Eve brunch at my house every year. Christmas Eve I always have to work, and it’s super busy, so it’s nice to take a second for some treats before the craziness begins. Then I get to come home to some leftovers after work that day.
Favorite holiday event in Dallas: Wassail Weekend in Denton. Been going since I was a college student over 10 years ago at UNT.
Best Santa in Dallas: NorthPark! I have pictures with him from when I was a baby.
Favorite place to buy holiday décor: Beatnik or All Good Things
Best place to see holiday lights: Stevens Park
