The quintessential Austin Holiday event is just days away. Starting November 17th through November 22nd The Junior League of Austin will present its annual A Christmas Affair to Central Texas. A Christmas Affair 2020 will feature virtual shopping and a variety of party packages so attendees can bring A Christmas Affair home. Tickets for the virtual marketplace—which will feature an extended shopping experience and special events throughout the week.
The six-day holiday gift market kicks off the giving season each year and hosts more than 150 regional and national retail merchants. This year, The Junior League of Austin has partnered with Udundi, an Austin-based e-commerce developer, to create its own online marketplace. This platform will allow Junior League of Austin to support small and midsize businesses from Texas and around the country, during an extended A Christmas Affair market week.
“The COVID-19 pandemic challenged our organization and members to think outside the box, and our League is serving as a model to many other organizations who are now pivoting their own events,” said Lyndsey Crawford, President of The Junior League of Austin. “
I am so proud of the event the A Christmas Affair team has created through hundreds of volunteer hours since January. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to our virtual A Christmas Affair in November.”
Every ticket or party pack purchased from A Christmas Affair 2020 Felicidad helps Junior League of Austin carry forth its mission of developing the potential of women and supporting the Austin community by providing essential funding and volunteer hours to its signature programs such as Coats for Kids, FIT – Food In Tummies, and KICS – Kids in Cool Shoes, along with more than 30 local community non-profits.
Holiday Portraits by Appointment at The Junior League of Austin
November 14–15
Bailamos Juntos (November 22)
● Virtual Mr. Will Dance Party + gingerbread house kit pickup
Cascabel, Cascabel, Jingle All the Way (November 20)
- Virtual Sing Along + holiday cookie kit pickup
Feliz Llamadad (November 21)
● Virtual Mr. Will Dance Party + llama ornament painting kit
Felicidad Máximo
● Package with all three kits and two virtual “parties”
Cocina Feliz (November 21)
● Virtual family pancake cooking class
Buen Provecho (November 22)
● Kids’ virtual dinner cooking class
Salida Del Sol Brunch (November 19, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.)
● A drive-through experience at the JLA’s Community Impact Center, pick up brunch bites from local eateries and cocktails and opportunities for shopping perks
Sip + Styled Girls’ Night In (November 19, 7–9 p.m.)
● An interactive holiday styling experience with Kendra Scott herself! Cocktail kits and tapas for delivery and pickup
La Noche Buena: Date Night In (November 20, 7–9 p.m.)
● Cocktail kits, fajita dinner for two, virtual La Lotería bingo, live virtual music experience
“Our A Christmas Affair team—made up of 85 volunteers—recognized the need to switch to an all virtual platform early in our planning process. We wanted to ensure our merchants and visitors were safe, while still passionately supporting small businesses and our community in these unique times,” said Keri Bellacosa Walling, Chair of A Christmas Affair 2020. “We knew our beloved and iconic holiday event would look different than it has in years past, but we were determined to bring it to life and spread happiness to the generations of attendees we see every year. We have an exciting week planned—from holiday styling with Kendra Scott, cooking demos and the most unique take-home party packs so you can enjoy Felicidad at home and with your friends and family.”
To stay up-to-date on updates of this year’s A Christmas Affair, visit The Junior League of Austin’s website and follow the League on Twitter and Facebook.
A Christmas Affair
For 45 years, A Christmas Affair has kicked off the holiday season in Austin. What began as 30 booths in the Driskill Hotel has grown into the largest League event of its kind in the nation. More than 25,000 patrons attend annually. Thanks to a variety of events, from the Opening Night party to Breakfast with Santa, and more than 230 merchants from across the country, this five-day holiday gift market allows Austin to support the community by shopping with a purpose. As The Junior League of Austin’s largest fundraiser, A Christmas Affair funds our mission and programs and allows us to continue our work of elevating women and serving our community.
The Junior League of Austin
The Junior League of Austin is an organization of more than 2,500 women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. On an annual basis, The Junior League of Austin contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Austin community and its members volunteer approximately 160,000 hours with local nonprofits. For more information about The Junior League of Austin, call 512-467-8982 or visit www.jlaustin.org.
