🎄 Waco’s 5 Things You’ll Want Inside

Good Morning Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that’s like plugging in the Christmas lights and watching every strand turn on the first try.

Let’s get to it!

— Sam Harper

The holidays are coming fast, which means parties, family photos, and plenty of reasons to feel good in your skin. It’s the ideal moment to visit Skin & Body Refinery, the physician-owned, family-run med spa known for combining medical expertise with elevated self care.

Their team focuses on thoughtful consultations, advanced aesthetic techniques, and results that look refreshed and natural. Injectables, medical grade skincare, facials, lasers, and wellness support, all designed to help you look your best without looking overdone.

Their annual 12 Days of Christmas specials run December 12–23 with offers like $150 off filler syringes and a buy $200, get a $50 gift card bonus.

This month they’re doing something bigger than skincare. Skin & Body Refinery is partnering with Unbound Now to support survivors of human trafficking. Donate any item from the Amazon wish list or give directly, show your receipt, and you’ll pick an ornament from their tree with a thank you gift tucked inside. The surprise gifts range from $20 to $300.

See December Specials at Skin & Body Refinery →

🎄Around Town
Waco is in peak December mode right now. Cool evenings, Christmas events everywhere you turn, and a calendar that somehow keeps filling itself. If you need something festive and easy, Christmas on 25th is happening Wednesday from 5 to 8 PM. Mila Cafe, The Carpenter’s Daughter, Harvest on 25th, and Sloane’s are teaming up to turn the block into a full neighborhood holiday hangout.

✨ Giving Spotlight: Light the World Giving Machine
Something pretty special arrives downtown on Wednesday. The Light the World Giving Machine is coming to Spice Village and will stay through December 30, giving Waco its first chance to experience a global initiative that turns generosity into something you can literally touch and see. Instead of buying snacks, you’re buying food, clothing, medical care, baby supplies, or even chickens for families who need them. Every dollar goes straight to local and global nonprofits including Friends for Life, the Advocacy Center, Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics, Heart Gift, and more. The ribbon cutting is December 10 at 10:30 AM if you want to see it kick off.

✈️ Flight Deal of the Week
This week’s winner: Jacksonville. Waco to JAX is $250 round trip, which is rare for winter and even rarer for a beach city. If you’re craving sunshine, seafood, and a break from holiday chaos, this one’s an easy score out of Waco Regional Airport. Details here.

Forest Frank Announces New Tour
Forest Frank is hitting the road next summer with Cory Asbury and Tori Kelly. No Waco stop (yet), but he’ll be at Globe Life Field (where the Rangers play) in Arlington which seats 40,300, only slightly bigger than his Silobration show a few weeks ago. Tickets drop Friday.

💬 Community Corner
Thank you to everyone who took a minute to fill out last week’s end of year survey. The responses were incredibly helpful as I map out what the Buzz will look like in 2026. If you’ve got more to add, the form is still open and I’m all ears.

🎉 Giveaway Winners
Big congrats to Tami N. and Judy S., two winners of the Founding Table Dinner Series: Reserva de la Familia Tequila at Barnett’s Whiskey House on December 10. Check your email for next steps.

When Sara Garza moved to Waco five years ago, she couldn’t find a place that matched her style. The idea of opening her own shop stayed with her, and after a season of prayer last fall, she felt nudged to finally pursue it. By June, a space opened next to For Keeps Coffee, things fell into place, and Proud Mary Boutique was born.

Its tagline, If only you could see yourself, captures the heart of the store. Sara’s mission is to help women see themselves the way their families, friends, and God already do and to dress with confidence instead of comparison. Proud Mary brings a fresh, expressive approach to women’s apparel and accessories that feels new for Waco.

Holiday party clothing is 20 percent off through the end of 2025.
Check out the latest styles on Instagram at @proudmaryboutique and stop by this week at 3635 Bosque Blvd, Suite 2.

🏙️ Escapology Coming to Downtown Waco
Escapology, a national escape room company with locations across the country, is set to open its Waco location in early March. They’re moving into the former Bicycle World space on University Parks, bringing another new entertainment option to the downtown corridor.

🌭 Wienerschnitzel Now Open on Valley Mills
Wienerschnitzel has officially opened at 305 South Valley Mills Drive. If you’ve been craving chili dogs, corn dogs, or soft serve, the doors are open.

^{Nothing here is sponsored. Just the things you need to know around town.}

⚒️ Valley Mills Improvements
TxDOT, not the city, begins a 1.9 mile rebuild of sidewalks and pedestrian crossings along Valley Mills Drive from Waco Drive to Bagby Avenue. The upgrades support major changes coming to the area, including the nearby Cordova Springs and Alice Martinez Rodriguez Park development, with new crosswalk signals, signage, and curb ramps rolling out through next summer.

🐘 Cameron Park Zoo Mourns
The zoo shared the heartbreaking news that Tembo, its African elephant, and Maharani, a Sumatran tiger, passed away Thursday. Staff and volunteers are grieving two of the zoo’s most beloved residents. Both lived very full lives and we are grateful the amazing team leading Cameron Park Zoo.

📋 Citywide Feedback Survey Now Open
The City of Waco is asking residents to take the 2025 National Community Survey to help guide priorities and evaluate city services. Take the survey here.

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Looking Ahead

😂 Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some) — 11–14
A fast moving, musical comedy at Waco Civic Theatre that mashes every Christmas classic into one hilarious show. Tickets at wacocivictheatre.com

🎰 New Year’s Eve: A Trip to the Strip — Dec 31
AC Hotel transforms its ballroom into a full Vegas style celebration with casino tables, live music, a DJ, late night bites, and a midnight taco spread. Room packages are available if you want to make it an overnight getaway. Tickets for $85.

👩‍💼 Women of Waco Level Up 2026 Conference — Jan 30
A full day women’s business conference at the AC Hotel featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking, swag, a coffee bar, lunch, and a sponsored happy hour. More info.

🏈 Football
Baylor hit pause on postseason plans and declined a bowl invite, choosing to funnel all attention into rebuilding for 2025. The number everyone’s whispering about is NIL. Baylor is sitting near 15 million while Texas Tech rolls into the College Football Playoff with roughly 28 million behind its roster. New AD Doug McNamee steps in with this front and center. His first big task is simple but not small. Get Baylor competitive again in the current era or risk falling further behind.

🏐 Volleyball
The NCAA run wrapped in the second round against Purdue, but ten straight tournament appearances tells the real story. This program keeps showing up in December and isn’t slowing down.

🏀 Men’s Basketball (6–2)
Memphis got the best of Baylor on Saturday 78 to 71, but a quick home reset is on deck. The Bears host Norfolk State Wednesday at 11 AM inside Foster Pavilion. Morning hoops, cheap seats hovering around 14 dollars, and a chance to bounce back sounds like a solid midweek plan.

🏀 Women’s Basketball (9–1, No. 14)
Baylor welcomes Alabama State this morning at 11 AM before turning attention to a showdown that will say a lot about where this team stacks up. They travel to Fort Worth on the 14th for a noon matchup against Texas. Circle it. That one’s big.

🎓Your Plan. Your Way. Your Breakthrough Starts Here.
Discover 140+ degrees and certificates at McLennan Community College—without the burden of debt. Whether you’re starting college or changing careers, MCC makes it simple with guidance, financial aid, and support every step of the way. Your future starts now in Waco at MCC.

✨ Skin & Body Refinery delivers top tier injectors, advanced treatments, and natural looking results that help you look and feel your best.

🏗️ From Waco landmarks to new local favorites, Arise Construction builds projects that last — combining precision craftsmanship with a reputation for getting it done right, on time, and with integrity.

💧 Need a boost? IViT Hydration & Wellness offers IV therapy and wellness treatments to help you feel better, recover faster, and boost energy. Waco Buzz readers get $35 off by clicking the link.

💪Move better. Recover Faster. Live Stronger. Waco Bodymend is a world class space built for everyday movers, athletes, and anyone who wants to feel their best. From red light therapy and PEMF to alterG anti gravity treadmill sessions & home to CrushCycle Waco, we combine science backed recovery with your training that fits your life. Click the link to the get the exclusive offer for Waco Buzz readers.

Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something helpful, please share it with someone who always makes Christmas cookies.

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