12.05.2023

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

55º | Mostly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. | Sunset 5:36 p.m.

Time to spruce things up

Where to cut or pick your own Christmas tree

The holidays have us feeling extra Santa-mental. | Photo via @hayniesgreenacres

There’s something special about decorating your home with a real Christmas tree — whether that be the excitement of picking out the perfect pine for your space or the fresh, woody fragrance that fills your home.

Purchasing a real tree also supports local farms, so it’s a win-win in our book.

🎄 Pre-cut trees

Optimist Club Christmas Trees, Farrington Field, 1501 University Dr.
This local shopping experience has been around for 70 years and offers fresh-cut trees shipped from the Pacific Northwest. The sales are the primary fundraiser for the Optimist Club of Fort Worth, which supports local programs for 1,200 children.

Fossil Creek Tree Farm, 7744 Blue Mound Rd.
Choose between fresh-cut Frasier firs and Noble firs at this local mainstay. Before you go, shop the Haven Christmas Collection and spruce up your home with new holiday decor.

Haynie’s Green Acres, 10405 Shannon Valley Dr., Crowley
The family-owned farm offers pre-cut, field, and Flocked trees this season. Shop signature flocked trees in bright colors like white, red, pink, and blue.

Santa’s Christmas Tree, 6113 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville
Three varieties are available including Douglas, Noble, and Grand firs. You can also pick any tree off the lot to have it custom-flocked to your needs.

FTW-Charlie Brown Christmas tree — Pro tip: Shake off your Christmas tree outside before bringing it into the house to decorate. | Video via Giphy

🎄 Cut down your tree

Mainstay Farm Park, 1004 W. Bethesda Rd., Cleburne
Cut your tree and find a handcrafted fresh wreath at this 70-acre park. Plan for a day full of activities including a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a Ferris wheel, and a sledding hill.

4D Farm, 3900 Upper Denton Rd., Weatherford
Chop down a Leyland Cypress, Arizona Cypress, or choose a pre-cut Fraser fir that best fits your home. Afterward, jump on the tractor-pulled hayride and warm up with complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.

Sunset Hill Tree Farm, 2400 County Road 206, Alvarado
Find the perfect fresh-cut Fraser fir tree or choose and cut your own Christmas tree. Before you head home, check out the petting zoo, duck races, hayrides, and playground.

Events

Tuesday, Dec. 5

Outdoor Ice Skating | Tuesday, Dec. 5-Thursday, Feb. 1 | 4-8 p.m. | Grand Prairie City Hall, 300 W. Main St., Grand Prairie | Free | Glide into the holiday season with free ice skating and skate rentals at this outdoor rink.
Holiday Charcuterie Board Workshop | Tuesday, Dec. 5 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Lost Oak Winery, 8101 County Rd. 802, Burleson | $79 | Sip wine and learn the basics of creating a holiday-themed charcuterie board within an assortment of cheese, meats, and crackers.

Wednesday, Dec. 6

Gentrification in Fort Worth | Wednesday, Dec. 6 | 7:30-9 a.m. | Texas Wesleyan University Nick and Lou Martin University Center (2nd Floor), 3165 E. Rosedale St., Fort Worth | Free | Fort Worth Report’s panel discussion moderated by UTA architecture professor Dennis Chiessa will explore solutions to our city’s affordable housing crisis.

Thursday, Dec. 7

2023 Anime Frontier | Thursday, Dec. 7-Sunday, Dec. 10 | Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St., Fort Worth | Times vary | $17-$132 | The three-day convention will include exciting exhibits, premieres, and special events featuring some of the biggest guests in anime and manga.

Friday, Dec. 8

Marie Osmond Symphonic Christmas | Friday, Dec. 8 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Arlington Music Hall, 224 N. Center St., Arlington | $39-$399 | Marie Osmond will perform classic Christmas songs like “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells,” accompanied by a symphony orchestra.

Saturday, Dec. 9

A Christmas Carol: The Radio Show | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 2 p.m. | Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main St., Arlington | $30-$32 | In an impressive and amusing feat, this tale is performed as a 1940s radio play with one person providing all of the characters’ voices and sound effects.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Real Estate

3 home renovation do’s and don’ts to increase your home’s value

an older adult couple sits in comfortable chairs in front of their home

Offerpad makes it easy for people to sell their home. | Photo provided by Offerpad

Preparing to sell? Renovating is a great way to upgrade your home — and attract potential buyers.

Here are three do’s, according to Offerpad:

Add some curb appeal. A good power wash can go a long way.
Add new carpet + paint. They’re the easiest upgrades for the largest return.
Give the kitchen a minor upgrade. Simple changes like replacing worn-out counters, dated fixtures or old appliances can net sellers a ROI of up to 80%.

See the don’ts

News Notes

Coming Soon

Hao’s Grocery & Cafe plans to open a second location next spring called Hao’s Cho Bep (Market Kitchen). The boutique market in the Near Southside features an array of Asian goods and will open its newest location in Highline on Magnolia at 1066 W. Magnolia Ave.

Community

Fort Worth ISD students are helping city leaders choose an official city bird. Students at 18 local schools will learn about various birds and select a winner from a list of six species. The top selections will be featured during the district’s annual science fair on April 4, 2024.

Closing

Live music venue Twilite Lounge will close its doors for good today. In a Facebook post, the Near Southside bar thanked the community for its support. The venue has been a welcome spot for musicians, artists, and comedians over the past six years.

Sports

SMU won its first conference title in 39 years over the weekend. The No. 17 ranked Mustangs defeated Tulane 26-14 Saturday in the American Athletic Conference Championship. Dallas’ team will face Boston College in the Fenway Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 28. The team will move to the Atlantic Coast Conference next season.

Watch

“Lawmen: Bass Reeves” produced by Fort Worthian Taylor Sheridan is now the most-watched series premiere on Paramount+. The first two episodes amassed 7.4 million viewers across the world in the first seven days. Watch new episodes on Sundays on Paramount+, with the finale airing on December 17. (Deadline)

Plan Ahead

The Armed Forces Bowl held at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 23 will include James Madison University and Air Force Academy. Other local bowl games include the Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium with Ohio State and Missouri on Friday, Dec. 29.

Announced

Last week, Universal officials announced the official name of the new Frisco theme park. Named Universal Kids Resort, the 97-acre park broke ground last month at the intersection of the Dallas North Tollway and Panther Creek Parkway. The park is set to open in mid-2026.

Award

The GM Financial Parade of Lights announced this year’s winning entries with the Grand Prize awarded to Ballet Folklorico Fort Worth, Inc. The winning floats were chosen based on creativity, brilliance, and holiday magic. Other winners include the Fort Worth Zoo and Studio Eighty.

Shop

Have an active loved one on your shopping list? Upway delivers rigorously inspected, certified, and 99% pre-assembled e-bikes from top brands (think: Specialized, Aventon, and Super73) directly to your doorstep — with free express shipping when you use code TREE.*

Real Estate

Be the broker: Vacant housing

Be the broker: Which vacant office spaces would you like to see become affordable housing?

On average in August 2022, Tarrant County homes sat on the market for 22 days. | Photo by @jrh79_

Have you noticed some of the empty office space around town? Office vacancies were at 14.9% as of 2022. That number soared to 17.2% in west Fort Worth. Compare those numbers to the national office vacancy rate, which was 17.8% as of September 2023. One possible use for vacant offices? Affordable housing.

Recently, the White House released a new plan to convert commercial buildings into residential housing — affordable housing in particular. Resources will be made available from 20+ programs across multiple agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

We’re talking below-market loans, grants, and tax credits... all available to help take advantage of preexisting buildings to make more affordable housing.

Have you passed an empty office building that would be a sweet apartment? How about some empty warehouses near public transportation that would make for a quick commute?

Tell us which spaces you’d like to see remade into housing.

Be the broker

The Buy

The Buy 12.05.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The ultimate gift for the year of Barbie: the Barbie Dreamhouse 2023. Can we get one of those spiral pool slides for our house?

Share FTWtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_11}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Rebecca

From the editor

When you deck the halls this holiday season, be sure to keep fire safety in mind. According to the National Fire Protection Association, half of all Christmas tree fires are caused by either an electrical problem or a heat source too close to the tree.

Be sure to keep these safety tips in mind from the Fort Worth Fire Department when decorating your tree this season.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY