Convenience Big Store: What gift should you get Dad for the first Christmas without Mom?

END OF YEAR SALE: ONLY 25¢!
Start 2024 as a digital subscriber. Subscribe Today.

What do you get Dad on his first Christmas without Mom?

What do you get a dad for Christmas who doesn't want anything?

I love buying Christmas gifts for family and friends. It's gratifying to put your heart into finding that perfect gift and seeing someone's reaction when they open it. I consider myself a solid gift-giver. I always try to think creative, unique and rare. But my dad has always been a challenge.

Like so many Mexican dads, he doesn't say much. He loves music but has it all. His wardrobe is more functional than anything else. He loves cars but buys himself what he wants. He's a big fan of K-pop music and Asian culture. I even convinced him to go with me to the Blackpink concert. We've exhausted those avenues, too.

This year, in many ways, is more important than ever. It's the first Christmas without my mom. Typing that still feels like a a thousand sharp needles piercing my heart. My dad mourns her every day. I see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. My mom loved Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. These months have felt unbearable at times. But I've continued to celebrate for my son. And my dad has participated, though I know everything in him tells him not to.

So what, then? A gift card seems inconsequential. Now more than ever, I want it to mean something. And I'm still trying to figure it out.

Joey Guerra, music reporter

joey.guerra@houstonchronicle.com

My music picks

Mandy Gonzalez performs on May 15, 2017, during the Wall Street Theater grand opening in Norwalk, Conn. .

Photo by: Alex Von Kleydorff / Hearst Connecticut Media

Broadway holiday

Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez leads the Houston Symphony in a Very Merry Pops holiday concert. Gonzalez originated the role of Nina in "In the Heights" and played Angelica Schuyler in "Hamilton" for six years. A few of those songs in the program would be a real holiday treat. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20-23 at Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana; $58 and up; houstonsymphony.org

She'll help you make it through Christmas: Houston-raised Sherita Perez captures what many feel on "I'll Help You Make It Through This Christmas." The plaintive song is about giving support to those who need it most during the holidays. ("This is a place where you can be free/And you can be safe with me.") It's available on Bandcamp and follows another Christmas original, "I Wanna Come Home to Houston."
Beyoncé watch: Happy 10th Beyoncé-versary to Queen Bey's self-titled opus, an album that changed the music industry. It popularized the concept of visual and surprise albums and shifted traditional release dates. "I don't know if I'd ever seen an album roll out quite like that, and it still inspires me," says Kam Franklin, lead singer for Houston band the Suffers.

Fun family favs

Otaku Winter ARC food and anime festival

Photo by: Courtesy

Asian food and anime

The Otaku Winter ARC food and anime festival will offer a wonderland of vendors, Asian foods and lots of anime merch. There will also be a Sumo demonstration, cosplay contests and appearance by anime voice actors. Noon-10 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 at Karbach Brewing Company, 2032 Karbach; free.

'Elf'-NL: I've grown to appreciate the 2003 holiday movie "Elf" more each year. Buddy is a Christmas icon, and that climactic scene of Santa flying over Central Park always gets me. Watch the film with a live orchestra accompaniment. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, 18111 Lexington; $30 and up; smartfinancialcentre.net
Let it glow: A churro and hot chocolate bar? Say no more. Heights Kids' Day of Music's holiday event will feature merry performances, a glow stick dance party and festive crafts. And did I mention churros and hot chocolate? 4-6 p.m. Dec. 16 at M-K-T, 600 N. Shepherd; free with online RSVP.

Houston on the cheap

Krampus: The Fright Before Christmas at 13th Floor Houston.

Photo by: Courtesy

You better watch out

Need a break from all the fa-la-la-ing? Krampus: The Fright Before Christmas will shake away some of the syrupy sentiment. The 13th Floor Houston haunted house has transformed into a holiday hellscape with fiendish elves and demonic nutcrackers. I love holiday horror. But haunted houses? Maybe I'll wait in the car. Dec. 15 and 16 at 7075 FM 1960 W.; $29.99, fast pass available; 13thfloorhouston.com/krampus

Sneaker Summit: The 20th annual H-Town Sneaker Summit is a paradise for all things footwear. Buy, sell, trade, debate — all while wearing your favorite pair. 3-8 p.m. Dec. 17 at NRG Center, 1 NRG Park; $20 and up; tickets online.

Where to eat

Fresh Menudo being served at La Mexicana Restaurant on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Raquel Natalicchio, Staff Photographer

Menudo SZN

January is National Menudo Month (the food, not the group). But as far as I'm concerned, it's menudo season, y'all. I love it at La Mexicana. And I've started making it myself in recent years. My go-to recipe is from "Cooking con Claudia." But do you have a great one? Email me! joey.guerra@houstonchronicle.com

Larger-than-life churros: I also love a good churro, and Alison Cook says the best ones are at Comalito, the CDMX-style taqueria at the Houston Farmers' Market on Airline. She marveled at their "ethereal lightness and superb textures." I'm convinced. Especially since they're the size of a large dinner plate.

Everything else you need to know

Freebies: Houston performer Blackberri is currently slaying the competition on "Dragula" and making new friends. She'll bring one of them, Orkgotik, to Spring for a free show. 11 p.m. Dec. 16 at The Room, 4915 FM 2920.
Entertainer to know: Morena Roas is one of Houston's most unique artists, able to move easily between genres. She put her own spin on Christmas with an EP of holiday classics that features her "Jingle Bell Trap Remix."