As the holidays moved from Thanksgiving turkeys to Christmas busting loose with decorations for everything from front doors to trees surrounded by gifts, DIFFA Dallas truly got in the swing of the times on Thursday, November 16, at The Empire Room. While Santa in his sleigh and one of his fav reindeer were parked at the front door to ho-ho as guests arrived, the amazing array of wreaths and other festivities lay inside. Here’s a report from the field:
On the evening of Thursday, November 16, DIFFA Dallas kicked off the holiday season and welcomed the community to the 29th Annual DIFFA Dallas Holiday Wreath Collection event at The Empire Room to support its critical mission to combat HIV/AIDS.
Guests including Ryan Ross and Robbie Kruithoff, Adriana Lopez and Alexa Gooden were welcomed at the entrance by Santa and his reindeer for a holiday photo opportunity before entering the venue.
The event brought guests back in time to a 1960s vintage holiday experience. DIFFA Wreath Collection is a time-honored tradition showcasing over 70 uniquely crafted wreaths, each a testament to the creative brilliance of artisans, designers, and decorators.
Guests and Style Council members including Tommy Hanson, T’Eric Thompson, David White, Dr. Michael Lundardon and Melissa Ellis had the opportunity to view and bid on the exquisite wreaths from generous donors including BuDha Girl/Jennifer Miller, Starbucks, Brad Pritchett/David Chad, OKA, Holiday Warehouse, and more. The wreaths, a stunning display of creativity and holiday spirit, contributed to DIFFA Dallas’ mission of funding grants for the North Texas AIDS Service Organization beneficiaries.
The evening’s entertainment featured DJ Shane Allen playing vintage holiday tunes from the stage surrounded by large silver ornaments. Christmas trees and beautiful white florals decorated the space while guests snacked on macaroons and a giant charcuterie board. Clips from classic holiday movies and music videos played on screens throughout the Empire Room.
Attendees and board members including Michael Buss, Ray Scott, Steve Hoyl, Samuel Phillips, Jacob Samson and Christi Meril participated in the Secret Santa Gift Pull, where they were able to choose a gift from under the Christmas tree valued between $50-$100. Models dressed in vintage holiday attire with Christmas tree headpieces walked the space, taking photos with guests including Gabrielle Monte and Haley Clark.
Patrons, including Steve Kemble, Devin Savage, Charlie Mendoza and Brandon Bell enjoyed several bars, thanks to One Bar USA, all with different cocktails including Holiday Espresso Martinis, a White Christmas, a Christmas Cosmopolitan, a Mijenta Spiced Cranberry, a San Dimas Pina, a HardHide Strawberry Mule, Shelter Point Whiskey and beer from Three Nations Brewing Co.
Local drag star Liquor Mini kicked off the program with a lip sync to Mariah Carey’s Christmas classic, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” before inviting this year’s Co-Chairs Ken Weber and Steve Lopez to take the stage.
“We love a good party, but we also love a good cause,” shared Lopez, capturing the essence of the event.
“Over the last 29 years, we’ve actually had several thousand wreaths that have been created and donated for this event,” shared Weber emphasizing the enduring impact of community contributions.
The chairs shared a token of gratitude, extending a heartfelt thank you Louis L. Borick Foundation, Sewell Automotive, Hoyl Financial, One Bar USA, Carol Hatton, David White, Martini Man Consignment, Hamburger Mary’s, Haley Clark, Jackson Durham, Darren Deville, Roger Calderon and guests for their generous support.
“We would like to thank all of y’all for buying a ticket, for being here, for supporting DIFFA. Again, because of you, we are able to raise this money for the AIDS service organizations that are in need of all of our help,” expressed Weber, underscoring the community’s vital role in supporting the cause.
After the chairs finished their speech they then handed the microphone back to Liquor Mini who introduced the next performance by local drag performer Star Michaels of Katy Perry’s “Cozy Little Christmas.”
In addition to the wreath auction, guests, including LeeAnne Locken, Heidi Dillon and London Luna, enjoyed a separate silent auction and raffle featuring opportunities to win accessories, art, interactive experiences, fashion pieces, home décor and health and beauty products. Liquor Mini, Ramaya Lord and Star Michaels continued to perform different songs throughout the evening, encouraging dancing and singing along from the crowd.
As the festive evening came to a close, guests collected their one of a kind wreaths and silent auction items that they won in the auction as well as picked up their gifts from underneath the tree before heading home.
For more information about updates on future DIFFA Dallas initiatives and events, please visit www.diffadallas.org or follow them on Instagram @DIFFADallastx.
* Photo credit: Danny Campbell ** Photo credit: Francesca Nelo