Bossier Parish has lots of attractions, events, and amenities to offer residents and guests, especially during the holidays. Don’t miss these top 5 things to do in Bossier this holiday season: 

1. Shopping

Other than decorating the tree, there’s perhaps no greater tradition this time of year than gift-giving. Bossier offers a nice mix of local stores with one-of-a-kind gifts and larger retail stores with something for everyone. 

If you want to find a unique, handcrafted, or personal gift, shopping small is your best bet. By spending dollars at a local store, you’re also supporting your neighbors. 

Britney Spivey, owner of Simply Chic in Bossier City, said that the fourth quarter is make or break for her boutique. She says this is the time of year that requires the most energy and effort.

She noted that supporting small businesses is important because they are what gives the community their flavor and by shopping small, it goes straight back into supporting its livelihood.

“If you look at who you’re supporting by shopping local, it’s families,” Britney said. “We put back into the community and we truly like to know who you are so that we can serve you better.”

That giving back comes in ways such as supporting those in need like raising money to adopt a family for Christmas and raising more than $3,000 to support a women’s trip to Honduras.

Coming up on their 15-year anniversary, Simply Chic has grown to three stores across northwest Louisiana. Britney wants to thank the community for their continued support, saying it’s an honor to dress people for the special occasions in their lives.

Paul Spivey, Simply Chic Boutique’s chief financial officer and Britney’s husband, added, “I’ve always heard her say, ‘Our goal is to have someone come in the store and leave feeling appreciated and beautiful.’ So, they may not buy something that day, but they had a conversation with her and felt heard. That goes a long way.”

2. Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops

Santa’s Wonderland, an annual event at the Bass Pro Shops at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, is a festive holiday attraction that features a variety of family-friendly activities centered around the Christmas season.

Running through Christmas Eve, this nationally renowned event offers families the ability to visit and take photos with Santa amidst a special setup with elaborate decorations and lights that transform the store into a winter wonderland. 

Kids can enjoy holiday crafts such as making ornaments or take part in an interactive game focused on the holiday. Other options include a live story time session from Santa and Mrs. Claus and a special mailbox for children to drop off their letters to Santa. Lastly, visitors can enjoy a variety of holiday giveaways during weekday visits, including a bass cookie cutter, through Dec. 24.

3. Volunteering 

By volunteering your time, you’re giving a gift to your neighbors and yourself by contributing to the community. Christmas is a time when food banks, shelters, and meal programs need community members to prepare or serve meals, distribute donations, support events, sort donations, or other means of helping. 

The Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission is a faith-based nonprofit that seeks to aid the homeless and those who are living through hunger, abuse, and addiction across not only Bossier and Shreveport but most of the state of Louisiana.

Recently, mission volunteers prepared and delivered Thanksgiving plates to residents throughout Bossier City and Haughton. The mission also worked with Purpose Church in Bossier City as a partner for what is their largest outreach of the year. 

“Volunteers are super important this time of year,” said Sarah Ardis, director of development. “We have volunteers of all ages and to see 11- and 13-year-olds serving lunch on a food line softens our guests’ hearts and makes it that much easier to do the work on the journey towards changing their lives.”

Volunteers are needed for their donation drives. They gather items of need from local businesses, churches, and/or the community-at-large and drop them off at the mission’s main campus in downtown Shreveport.

Sarah noted that while volunteers’ effort is not massive, their impact is. 

“Homelessness is more complex and could happen to anyone. I’ve met people from all walks of life — nurses, doctors, teachers — and it’s a symptom of a bigger problem,” she said. “Volunteers walking alongside us helps on the healing journey by reinforcing there’s a whole community of people who are praying for them.”

4. Events and Parties

Christmas is a festive, joyful time with celebrations large and small happening across Bossier Parish. 

The Rally on the Red event generates community excitement for the area’s sporting tradition, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. This free event offers up local flair with the Mardi Gras Preview Parade at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets and East Bank District, a fireworks show with prime seating in the East Bank Plaza, and a free concert at the outdoor venue Hurricane Alley. Find out more about all these events HERE.

If you want a private setting with friends and family, then hosting a Christmas party is made easy thanks to event venues. From large event spaces like Los Paloma in Benton and intimate space with all the amenities like Chef’s Table by Beauxjax to a highly unique setting for your club/hobby group at the Bossier Arts Council, there are plenty of gathering spaces for everyone. In addition, plenty of local restaurants feature catering options on a large and small scale such as Fat Tuesday’s and Gumbo to Geaux offering cajun cuisine, Monjunis featuring pasta and salads, and Shaver’s serving up traditional Southern fare. 

5. Staycation

The holidays can be stressful and maybe you’re worn out from giving back, gathering with friends, and shopping for family. Sounds like a staycation could be a great way to enjoy all the festivities Bossier has to offer without any of the extra work.

Bossier offers many resorts thanks to its riverboat gaming industry. Find a room at Margaritaville Resort Casino, Horseshoe Hotel and Casino, or Boomtown Casino with entertainment, dining, and amenities like pools, gyms, and spas.

You can explore the Casino Floor and pick up, or spend, some holiday spending money at the table games or slot machines. Each resort offers a variety of dining options ranging from casual eateries like Horseshoe’s “The Spread” buffet to fine dining like Margaritaville’s “Jimmy’s Seafood & Steak.” With the holidays and New Year’s right around the corner, many of the resorts will offer entertainment such as live music and dancing. There are also relaxation areas such as Margaritaville’s tropical-themed pool or Horseshoe’s spa.