We may not get snow but that doesn’t mean Florida can’t be festive. Take it from a girl who grew up here, there are still plenty of holiday traditions even if your hot chocolate is more of a wanting experience than a warming one. Swap Snowmen for Sandcastles What’s white, soft, plentiful and found on the ground? No matter your backdrop for the holidays - be it sand or snow - it’s your experiences that matter most. And from family gatherings on the beach to island-hopping Santas, Floridians know how to make lasting memories.
Festivities, firetrucks, and Feliz Navidad from Useppa Island.
FaLaLa Fashion In the winter, temperatures can and do drop into the forties (relatively, that’s pretty cold). If you store your winter clothing away most of the year, try to remember where it is, and then reintroduce your sweaters to your closet, “Red Sweater meet Left Side of the Closet; this is going to be your home for the next month.” It can be pretty exciting to discover a whole new wardrobe. Personalize the Season Find ways to distinguish holiday moments from everyday experiences. With the landscape largely unchanged, the things we do and the traditions we have take on more importance. Maybe you look forward to the smell of cinnamon, serving on your holiday dishware, or unpacking your Lionel Train set. Whatever traditions you savor, there’s no need to stop them because it’s 70 degrees outside. 
Holiday Lights Shine Just as Bright on Palm Trees Even though there aren’t snowmen in the front yard, that doesn’t mean we can’t decorate with the best of them. From flying reindeer to jumping dolphins, Floridians know how to stylize their streets. And with so many luxury homes on the waterfront, holiday decore embellishes not only the front but the back side of properties! Which leads us to our next point: 
A Winter Waterland Boating takes on a whole new level of interest as holiday lights reflect upon the water – whether sailing Sarasota Bay, cruising Charlotte Harbor, rowing the Intracoastal, kayaking a canal, or paddling the Peace, Braden, or Myakka River. One of the best events of the season is the Annual Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights which will be held on Saturday, December 13. 
Place Santa’s Cookies on the Patio Let’s face it, many Florida homes do not have chimneys. When I was little, I remember asking my mother how Santa was going to get in the house. She explained that he would come with all his presents through the patio door. I was just fine with that explanation and judging by the cookie crumbs left behind, so was Santa. See a Holiday Show Fortunately there are no lack of holiday-themed performances coming up on the Gulf Coast. Here are some of the ones I’m looking forward to:
- A Victorian Christmas at the Crosley, Powel Crosley Estate
- Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (Brian Stokes Mitchell is the featured vocalist!)
- A Christmas Story, Players Theatre
- Amahl and the Night Visitors, Manatee Performing Arts Center
- A Christmas Carol, Venice Theatre
- Jingle All the Way, Sarasota Orchestra
- Holiday Traditions, Venice Symphony
- Moscow Ballet: Great Russian Nutcracker, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Savor the Spirit of Giving We all relish finding the perfect gifts for our sweethearts. Take comfort in knowing that you’ll find a special something on the Gulf Coast whether shopping at the new Mall at University Town Center, St. Armands Circle, Lakewood Ranch Main Street, the Island of Venice, Ellenton Outlet Mall, the downtowns in Punta Gorda, Bradenton, and Sarasota, or all the shopping centers in between.
Merry Christmas from Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
Got any tips for celebrating the holidays in Florida-fashion? Let us know what you do in the comments.
