Florida is a very special state, with its own unique qualities and quirks. This is especially evident at Christmastime. When people in other parts of the country are building snowmen and gathering around the fireplace, we’re outside enjoying the sunshine. Check out some of these charming and nostalgic photos of past Christmases in the Sunshine State:
Pearsall family at Christmas time, Melrose, 1920s
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida When the weather is this nice, there’s no need to bring the tree inside!
Decorating Christmas Tree at Sarasota city park, 1946
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida Here’s a Christmas scene you wouldn’t see up north.
Child with Christmas tree and toys, ca 1912
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida This photo shows us what Christmas was like in Florida more than one hundred years ago.
Young people making a “sandman” at the beach, 1964
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida Building a sandman is so much fun!
Children caroling on Christmas Eve in Miami, 1935
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida With this tropical setting, our carolers look a little different.
Young women posing with Christmas tree on Pensacola Beach, 1962
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida We can still dream of a white Christmas, just with powdery sand instead of snow.
Christmas parade, Saint Augustine, 1951
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida Our nation’s oldest city is always a good source for nostalgia.
Young women celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus, St. Petersburg, 1952
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida How are they balancing those oranges on their heads?
Underwater Christmas at Rainbow Springs, 1953
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida This underwater Christmas scene just screams Old Florida.
Santa Claus with presents in a boat, Sarasota, 1965
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida In some parts of Florida, Santa arrives by boat.
Woman in costume standing next to a Christmas tree, Tallahassee, 1960
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida That must have been some office party.
All-Florida Christmas tree, Tallahassee, 1961
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida A tree for real Florida fanatics.
Sailboat Christmas decoration, Tallahassee, 1960
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida This uniquely Floridian Christmas display won third prize in that year’s Christmas contest. Wonder what the winner looked like!
Floating Christmas tree in a swimming pool, Fort Lauderdale, 1957
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida If they still make these, I want one!
Santa on beach with reindeer, Panama City Beach, 1956
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida After all that hard work, Santa and the reindeer deserve some time on the beach.
Christmas in Florida, 1955
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida This scene could only make sense in Florida.
Reenactment of the First Christmas in what would become the United States, Tallahassee, 1959
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida The first Christmas in what would become our country occurred in 1539 when Hernando de Soto and his army of 600 spent the winter near Tallahassee.
Santa Claus picking oranges in Sarasota, 1965
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida Everyone is getting citrus in their stockings!
What did you think of these photos? What’s your favorite thing about spending the holidays in Florida?
Florida Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida
When the weather is this nice, there’s no need to bring the tree inside!
Here’s a Christmas scene you wouldn’t see up north.
This photo shows us what Christmas was like in Florida more than one hundred years ago.
Building a sandman is so much fun!
With this tropical setting, our carolers look a little different.
We can still dream of a white Christmas, just with powdery sand instead of snow.
Our nation’s oldest city is always a good source for nostalgia.
How are they balancing those oranges on their heads?
This underwater Christmas scene just screams Old Florida.
In some parts of Florida, Santa arrives by boat.
That must have been some office party.
A tree for real Florida fanatics.
This uniquely Floridian Christmas display won third prize in that year’s Christmas contest. Wonder what the winner looked like!
If they still make these, I want one!
After all that hard work, Santa and the reindeer deserve some time on the beach.
This scene could only make sense in Florida.
The first Christmas in what would become our country occurred in 1539 when Hernando de Soto and his army of 600 spent the winter near Tallahassee.
Everyone is getting citrus in their stockings!
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