Yes, We Celebrate Christmas in Florida

I realized shortly after starting my freshman year at the University of Georgia that being from Florida made me stick out like a sore thumb (well, being from anywhere but Georgia would really).  There are so many differences between these two neighboring states, and I honestly experienced a bit of a culture shock when I first got to Athens.  The accents, the pearls, the sweet tea - it was all very different from what I'd grown up with.  And I loved it, because I had chosen to go to college outside of Florida for these exact reasons.  

I was very curious about the Southern culture, and my friends were curious what it was like to grow up in Florida.  I got all kinds of questions...

"You're not a GATOR fan right?"

"You've never had sweet tea??!"

But I think that funniest, which I still get asked today, was "So, do you still celebrate Christmas in Florida even though it doesn't get cold there?"  There have been other variations of course... "But isn't it weird not to have a White Christmas?" (no, I've never lived anywhere that it snowed); "But you don't have an actual Christmas tree do you?" (contrary to popular belief, we don't bring palm trees in the house to put lights and ornaments on).  

I loved growing up in Florida, and never felt like I was missing out on anything by not waking up to snow on this special holiday.  It's interesting to see how different parts of the country (even different states) celebrate holidays differently.  Our family Christmas traditions include boat rides and outdoor cocktail parties, not snow angels and hot chocolate - and I wouldn't have it any other way.