When you think of a traditional holiday season, the Hawaiian Islands are probably the last place to cross your mind. Not only will you only see snow if you head to the summit of Mauna Kea but we do Christmas a little bit different around here. After all, in Hawaii, Santa Claus doesn’t arrive in a sleigh pulled by reindeer but instead visits Hawaii in an outrigger canoe. Whether you’ve lived in Hawaii your entire life, you’ve just moved to the islands, or you’re simply planning an island getaway for the holidays, there are a few things you should have if you want to survive Christmas in Hawaii.
- A Hawaiian Christmas music playlist.
Dave DugdaleFlickr What’s Christmas without carols? And what’s Christmas in Hawaii without traditional Hawaiian Christmas songs, like Bing Crosby’s Mele Kalikimaka and these other classics.
- Last-minute gifts, like Kona coffee or chocolate-covered macadamia nuts.
ssstrieu/Flickr You never know who is going to invite you to a holiday party, or who might give you an unexpected gift. If you have Hawaii favorites on hand, like a bottle from Volcano Winery or some Manoa Chocolates, you’ll never be unprepared.
- A shovel + bucket to make a Hawaiian snowman.
Scott Schiller/Flickr It’s a Hawaii Christmas tradition! You won’t have to worry about your sandman melting, though you might have to worry about your creation being swept away by the tide…
- A signature potluck recipe.
Michelle Lee/Flickr This is a given any time of year, but we suggest having a fabulous holiday dish on standby during the holidays. In our house, I always have sugar cookie ingredients on hand during the holidays, and if I know I’m attending a potluck, I slave over a batch of homemade Swedish meatballs, one of my grandma’s specialties.
- Air-conditioning (or access to it).
Bill Sodeman/Flickr It doesn’t feel like Christmas when it’s 80 degrees outside, does it? Every once in awhile during the holidays, it’s fun to crank the air conditioning and enjoy a mug of warm hot chocolate. If you don’t have A/C at home, head to the movies!
- A stash of holiday stamps and flat-rate boxes.
Sarah/Flickr No one likes going to the post office around Christmas — especially for something as simple as picking up flat-rate boxes or stamps. I always have a stash on hand during the holidays to send cards and gifts to everyone I know back on the mainland.
- A Norfolk Pine or palm tree decked out in holiday lights.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr While traditional Christmas trees are stunning, we’re partial to Norfolk Pines and palm trees covered in twinkling lights. There’s truly no better way to celebrate the season in Hawaii.
- Poinsettias.
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr Did you know that poinsettias can grow as tall as trees in Hawaii and that they bloom near December 25? While these gorgeous plants might be absolutely necessary, they add a bit of much-needed holiday cheer to our home and can make that Christmas stress melt away, if only for a moment or two.
- A swimsuit AND a Santa hat.
Paul Oka/Flickr Because we want to be festive AND still enjoy our days off at the beach. Plus, this guy looks pretty cool.
What other things do you need to survive during a Hawaiian Christmas? May your holiday season be full of Christmas spirit, surfing Santas, and plenty of eggnog! Mele Kalikimaka, Hawaii!
Dave DugdaleFlickr
What’s Christmas without carols? And what’s Christmas in Hawaii without traditional Hawaiian Christmas songs, like Bing Crosby’s Mele Kalikimaka and these other classics.
ssstrieu/Flickr
You never know who is going to invite you to a holiday party, or who might give you an unexpected gift. If you have Hawaii favorites on hand, like a bottle from Volcano Winery or some Manoa Chocolates, you’ll never be unprepared.
Scott Schiller/Flickr
It’s a Hawaii Christmas tradition! You won’t have to worry about your sandman melting, though you might have to worry about your creation being swept away by the tide…
Michelle Lee/Flickr
This is a given any time of year, but we suggest having a fabulous holiday dish on standby during the holidays. In our house, I always have sugar cookie ingredients on hand during the holidays, and if I know I’m attending a potluck, I slave over a batch of homemade Swedish meatballs, one of my grandma’s specialties.
Bill Sodeman/Flickr
It doesn’t feel like Christmas when it’s 80 degrees outside, does it? Every once in awhile during the holidays, it’s fun to crank the air conditioning and enjoy a mug of warm hot chocolate. If you don’t have A/C at home, head to the movies!
Sarah/Flickr
No one likes going to the post office around Christmas — especially for something as simple as picking up flat-rate boxes or stamps. I always have a stash on hand during the holidays to send cards and gifts to everyone I know back on the mainland.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
While traditional Christmas trees are stunning, we’re partial to Norfolk Pines and palm trees covered in twinkling lights. There’s truly no better way to celebrate the season in Hawaii.
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr
Did you know that poinsettias can grow as tall as trees in Hawaii and that they bloom near December 25? While these gorgeous plants might be absolutely necessary, they add a bit of much-needed holiday cheer to our home and can make that Christmas stress melt away, if only for a moment or two.
Paul Oka/Flickr
Because we want to be festive AND still enjoy our days off at the beach. Plus, this guy looks pretty cool.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
