A Snowbird’s Guide To A Tropical Holiday
Having lived in Syracuse for almost six years, this city often feels like home. I have come to love Central New York’s picturesque change of seasons, the accessibility of major cities like New York City and Toronto, and even picked up snowboarding to make the winter months more bearable. However, as a South Florida native and a tropical transplant, you best believe as soon as school is out I am headed to warmer beaches like the snowbird I truly am.
Heading home for the holidays is especially interesting when trading snow boots for sandals really helps you get into the seasonal spirit. For many, this time of year is synonymous with warm fires and snowmen. For me, the holidays are not complete without bike rides to the beach and margaritas on our decked out patio.
Popular culture has given the tropics a bad rap when it comes to its ability to exude holiday cheer. If it were up to postcards and movies one might believe the spirit of Christmas is relegated only to states north of the Mason-Dixon line. However, I am here to tell you that just because we don’t have many fireplaces doesn’t mean Santa skips the south. Winter break means something different for everyone. I advise you to use these weeks wisely… preferably someplace warm.
Here are some tropi-tips for some seasonal fun in the sun…
1) Do you want to build a sandman?
Do you know what is infinitely more fun than freezing your fingers off building a snowman? Sitting on the beach at sunset crafting holiday sculptures out of sand with the occasional dip in the ocean. This is a Christmas day tradition in my family at our home beach in Delray.
2) Deck the halls, and the house, and the boat
There is nothing more treacherous than scaling a snow-covered roof to string lights with clumsy, gloved hands. Here in the tropics, you can go hard with the decorations knowing you won’t risk a slip and fall or getting frostbite. We shamelessly decorate everything from our palm trees to our motor boats. Our house is kind of a big deal.
3) Puffy nope
Leave the puffy coat in a snowbank, you won’t need it here. One of the hardest adjustments I had to make in becoming a Yankee-traitor was learning to live with 6 inches of fabric bunched up in the crux of my elbow. Not only does winter-wear hinder my mobility, it also takes forever to put on and take off during the dance that is dressing every time I enter and exit a building. Packing for a trip home is always light and easy and consists of every bathing suit I own and at least two pairs of sunglasses for style points.
4) Don’t be afraid to get salty
While Syracuse may be known as the “Salty City” I prefer a southern style of saline solution. Salt is the main ingredient to a good time during your tropical holiday. Whether it be in your hair or on the rim of your margarita glass it is a guaranteed improvement. Being at home for the holidays means I stop at the beach before I even step foot in my house. A dip in the ocean will cure any winter blues you got and there really is something to that saying, “beach hair don’t care”.
5) Soak up the sun
Seriously. By the end of a long Syracuse winter I am always amazed that a) I have managed to get paler than I already was and b) seasonal affective disorder is REAL. I take the time I spend in sunny South Florida to absorb as much sunlight as humanly possible before the sunburn sets in. Between outdoor holiday parties and Christmas music by the pool, the weather is by no means frightful and vitamin D is plentiful.
So, no matter how you spend your winter break I hope it makes you as happy as dancing on the beach makes me.
Season’s greetings and happy holidays!!
