Celebrate Christmas on St. George Island

Four reasons why your family should celebrate Christmas on St. George Island.

It’s almost that wonderful time of year again… the HOLIDAY SEASON – and who couldn’t use a little festive cheer this year?

The holiday season is a time to get together with family and friends in our flashy ugly Christmas sweaters as we watch the mean green Grinch and childhood shows like Charlie Brown’s Christmas while sipping hot chocolate in front of the fireplace – again. Maybe it’s time for something different. Something non-traditional, like celebrating Christmas at the beach! Exploring new traditions doesn’t have to mean a complete abandonment of the tried and true, but maybe more of a shift or expansion on the roots we want to revive just a bit. Freshen up your Christmas traditions and try something new on St. George Island!

Your New Family Tradition

Traditions are what makes a family unique. They give us a sense of security knowing that together, there’s a shared interest. Family traditions create priceless memories. Let this year be the year your family starts a new family tradition by celebrating a white sand Christmas in the sunshine and build memories for generations to appreciate. The kids are sure to love this idea, and they’ll have a unique Christmas vacation tale to share with their friends. After all – who wants to wait for Spring Break to make beach memories?

100% Family Time

No need to worry about people crowding the beach. This is the perfect time for the whole family to be together and enjoy one another without the distraction of crowds; like taking a nice stroll on the island’s crystal white 27-mile long beach, searching for island treasures. The weather should be pleasant, probably a bit too cold to spend the day in the water, but just right for a beach picnic, making ‘sand snowmen and snow angels’, and having friendly competition playing ‘reindeer games.’ So don’t forget the badminton and volleyball set for some original holiday play on the beach!

Enjoy being creative and coming up with different ideas together. For example, if your family is really crafty, use this time to come up with a list of fun family DIY projects to complete for the new year. While on your stay, use the well-equipped kitchen to make yummy, jolly holiday treats for old St. Nick. Imagine what your Elf on the Shelf can get into in new surroundings!

Christmas Spirit on St. George

Visit the local shops to find wonderful coastal holiday trinkets or gifts for your friends back home and you must stop by Weber’s Little Donut Shop for the most unique, delicious donuts you will ever eat. For a selection of genuine Apalachicola flavors to enjoy during your stay, or handcrafted goods to take home, make sure to check out the many Farmers Markets. The Apalachicola Downtown Market takes place every other Wednesday morning on Commerce Street, while the Apalachicola Farmers Market occurs on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month on Market Street. On the first and third Saturdays of every month, check out the Country Farmers Market at the Crooked River Lighthouse or the Eastpoint Artisans Market on Highway 98. Apalachicola’s annual, open-air Holiday Fresh Market is December 5th from 10 AM – 4 PM.

If you’re arriving a bit earlier in the season, be sure to plan for Apalachicola’s Historic Downtown Christmas Celebration on November 27th at Apalachicola Riverfront Park or the annual St. George Island Lighting of the Palms at the St. George Island Lighthouse on December 4. Get into the island community spirit and meet the man of the hour himself as Santa Claus makes an appearance on December 11th with Eastpoint’s Christmas Celebration and parade, traveling down Highway 98 from Seller’s Plaza to Fisherman’s Choice!

Outdoor Adventures

Christmas outdoors… comfortably, sounds like a blast! No snow, no black ice, or bone-dry hurting cold. Only sand, the gulf, and nature at its finest.

Have you heard? There’s treasure on St. George Island! Take the family geocaching and find out where Pirate Captain Bowels buried his treasure. Read our blog on geocaching to learn more about it on the island. While you’re searching for that treasure, be on the lookout for seashells!  And if you like coffee, then you will love Coffee in the Campground at the St. George Island State Park. Park rangers will give an interpretive presentation and provide more information about wildlife on the island.

Try something uncommon, escape the frigid temps and take your family to St. George Island this holiday season. Instead of a Winter Wonderland, create a ‘Sandy Christmas Vacation’ and enjoy precious moments with the ones you love.