A Holiday in Paradise

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and while many people dream of a White Christmas, I prefer to deck the palms. The Holidays can be awkward for Floridians, most tree trimmings are dusted in fake snow, 90 degrees is far too warm to drink hot Cocoa and every Christmas party usually has a communal stripping of sweaters after an hour or so.

I have rejected the snowy Christmas fantasy and have fully embraced A Holiday in Paradise. Floridians can hang up Christmas lights in their swimsuit, and who needs an ugly Christmas sweater when you have a cute Festive Flamingo Tee?

The Palm Beaches have the most quintessential tropical Holiday displays. Sandi Tree, crafted with 600 tons of sand by the best artisands {see what I did there?}, stands proudly at the heart of Clematis Street in downtown West Palm. Sandi stands 35 feet tall and has become the favorite celebrity of locals and snowbirds alike. WPB Waterfront Park transforms into Sandi Land, hosting festive family fun such as decorating a tropical snowman, “Glow Fore It” mini golf, sand sculptures and even a peak into Sandi’s dressing room.

Sandi’s theme changes yearly, this year it is Holiday Tails. Bringing attention toward the county’s local animal shelter Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League so residents will adopt and not shop this Holiday for their new pets, as the shelter has seen an influx of homeless pets the active hurricane season. If you don’t have any two legged children to bring to see Sandi, your four legged children are surely welcome since it is pet friendly.

If a sand tree is not Floridian enough, head over to Palm Beach where a surfboard tree towers over Royal Poinciana Plaza. When I finally went to see it, I was so stoked on an adorable surfboard Menorah ushering me in. The Island once had anti-Semitic regulations back in the Gilded Age of Henry Flagler, restricting the Jewish population to the Clematis district. Palm Beach County is now home to a larger Jewish population than New York, and almost half of the Palm Beach’s residents are Jewish today. Knowing the history of Palm Beach, I find it elating to see both Hanukkah and Christmas décor in the plaza with all Palm Beach visitors embracing the Holiday Spirit together.

Another yuletide activity in WPB is to flock to Flamingo Park, a historic neighborhood, to view the seasonal decor. The neighborhood association hosts a holiday event annually, this year was a Light Competition. Last year, I attended a Holiday Home Tour with a viewing of several Mediterranean Revival and Mid Century homes, drinks and catering from local restaurants.

The best part about A Holiday in Paradise is you can enjoy the season in Florida winter weather, which is perfect most days. So ditch your ugly sweater, throw on a Christmas surfboard tee and head out into the sunshine.

Flo Ho Ho my friends, and have yourselves a Happy Holiday in Florida.

Thanks to The Admirals Daughters for the Festive Tees, Holiday Sleds and Festive Flamingo both pictured. Shop all year with TAD, proceeds go to ocean charities and military families.

 For more Florida Holiday Happiness check out my Flo Ho Ho Gift Guide, and check #flohoho on Instagram.