Down in the Sunshine State, we like to celebrate the holidays a little differently.
Beachy Holiday Decorations
Floridians love to decorate their homes with beachy holiday decor. Popular ornaments include sea turtles, jellyfish, dolphins, and sharks. Some trees are even topped with a starfish!
Floridians embrace decorations that resemble the things they love most- living by the coast.
Holiday Lights on Palm Trees
If you drive through the state, you won't find trees changing colors with the seasons. You won't find leaves falling off the branches in time for winter. But you will find palm fronds wrapped in lights!
Instead of traditional pine trees, a lot of the time, you can find neighborhoods or shopping centers dropping their foliage in twinkling lights. After all, Fort Myers is the "City of Palms."
Holiday Boat Parades
If you keep your eyes peeled while sitting on a dock, you may spot Santa in a different type of sleigh... one with engines and a propeller.
Floridians love to have annual boat parades on the water. They compete to see who can decorate their boat the best in holiday get-up, and sometimes Santa himself will make a star guest appearance in swim trunks!
Sandcastles Instead of Snowmen
Besides that very rare occasion in January 1977 when it snowed in Florida, there are no snowmen here. In Florida, we have warm sandy beaches to create sandmen.
Instead of eyes made out of coal, we give our creations seashell eyes and sunglasses.
Rather than a warm beanie to top his head, a sandman gets a sunhat!
Holiday Decorations at Theme Parks
In Orlando, residents and tourists alike stroll through the Walt Disney World parks and hotels to explore the extravagant decorations.
Celebrate Christmas with Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party . Offered on select nights throughout the season, enjoy parades and firework displays. Meet characters adorned in their holiday attire and make magical, memorable moments.
If going to the theme parks isn't your thing, Walt Disney World Orlando Resort offers an immersive Winter Wonderland.
Guests can explore a life-sized gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian Hotel or do the Christmas Tree Stroll throughout Disney Springs.
Meet the Grinch at Universal Islands of Adventure as Suess Landing is decked out for the holidays, or get into the spirit by watching Universal's Holiday Parade.
Watch in wonder as SeaWorld Orlando is transformed with millions of sparkling lights.
"Unwrap a brickastic holiday" at Legoland Florida . See a Lego Christmas tree and catch festive entertainment. Meet special holiday Lego Characters and special seasonal goodies.
"Winter" Activities
Although it doesn't get cold enough in Florida to freeze over our lakes, if it's traditional winter activities you're looking for, try indoors.
Believe it or not, Florida is home to indoor ski and snowboarding schools.
Indoor facilities and ski slopes allow people who call Florida home a chance to experience winter activities without the snow.
Indoor ice rinks are also the best way to get your skating fix in for the winter.
If participating isn't really your style, you can also catch a hockey game at Hertz Arena to cheer on your Florida Everblades .
Getting a fresh-cut Christmas Tree...from your local parking lot
While some people in Florida have swapped a real tree for a plastic one, those that are real aren't exactly from a nearby forest.
For Floridians, Christmas tree farms are far and few, especially with this year's shortage.
And if you do get a fresh pine tree, it is most likely coming from a tent on the side of the road or a pop-up shop in a parking lot.
Snow made out of bubbles and foam
Although it's very unlikely snow will commonly appear, Florida tries to get into the winter spirit by setting up bubble and foam machines.
To experience snow in Florida, people can buy artificial snow or snow in a can!
