Poetry Friday ~ Christmas in Florida

4 Dec
Photo by Lynda Hinton (@lyndaann1975 – Unsplash)

Hello, everyone! Happy Holidays and a warm welcome to my blog!

I live in south Florida and Christmas traditions are a little different down here. We don’t have snow, so we can’t build a snowman, but we can build one made of sand. There’s no sledding or skiing, but we do have surfing Santas and boats decked out in Christmas lights and decorations. We also have Winterfest, a town named Christmas, Disney World and much more. I found this poem about Christmas in Florida and thought I should share it. I hope you enjoy it.

T’was the night before Christmas, and all through the town,
No noses were frozen, nor snow on the ground.

No children in flannels were tucked into bed,
They all wore their shorty pajamas instead.

To find wreaths of holly was not very hard,
For holly trees sprouted in every backyard.

In front of the houses were daddies and moms,
Decorating hibiscus and coconut palms.

The slumbering kiddies were dreaming with glee,
Hoping to find surf boards under the tree.

They all knew that Santa was well on his way,
In a fiberglass boat instead of a sleigh.

He whizzed up the rivers, zoomed up the canals,
Delivering toys to good boys and gals.

The tropical moon gave the cities a glow,
And lit the way for Santa below.

Quite soon he arrived and started to work,
He hadn’t a second to linger or shirk.

He jumped from his boat and gave a wee chuckle,
He was dressed in deck pants, with an ivy league buckle.

There weren’t any chimneys, but that caused no gloom,
For Santa came in through the Florida room.

He stopped at each house but stayed only a minute,
As he emptied his sack of the toys that were in it.

Before he departed he had a long drink,
From the glass of fresh orange juice left by the sink.

He turned with a jerk and jumped into his boat,
Knowing that he still had more toys to tote.

He put it in gear and he opened the gas,
Then up the Peace River he went like a flash!

And I heard him exclaim as he went on his way:
“Merry Christmas, Punta Gorda, I wish I could stay ….

Photo by Lynda Hinton

Take care and stay safe and healthy!

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55 Responses to “Poetry Friday ~ Christmas in Florida”

  1. D.L. Finn, Author December 4, 2020 at 1:01 pm #

    Fun Florida version Vashti:) xo

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 4, 2020 at 4:29 pm #

      Thank you, Denise! I love a white Christmas, but a Florida Christmas isn’t too bad. 😉 xo

      Like

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      • Les Norley December 12, 2020 at 5:35 pm #

        These Santa photos were actually taken on a beach in Australia the beach is Redhead and it is about 1 hour north of Sydney I am the Santa in these photos and they taken by beautiful niece Lynda Hinton .My family and I wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas to all and hope next year is a whole lot happier than this year has been

        Liked by 1 person

      • Vashti Q December 18, 2020 at 1:50 am #

        It’s great to meet you, Les! You made a marvelous Santa model. Your niece did a wonderful job with the photos. I did give her credit for them. Her pictures are on a site called Unsplash and when I typed in Santa at Florida beach these came up. I’m happy to know their origin. Thank you! Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and your loved ones too. 😀

        Like

  2. Jill Weatherholt December 4, 2020 at 1:10 pm #

    Aw…I love this, Vashti! xo

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 4, 2020 at 4:32 pm #

      Thank you, Jill! I grew up in NYC, so I’ve experienced a wintry version of Christmas too. 😀 xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. balroop2013 December 4, 2020 at 1:19 pm #

    Orange juice for Santa! What fun! Thanks for sharing Vashti.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 4, 2020 at 4:35 pm #

      Absolutely! He may get flan and rice pudding too. Ha, ha. It’s my pleasure, Balroop. Thank you! 😀 xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. coldhandboyack December 4, 2020 at 1:29 pm #

    That’s cute. Thanks for sharing it.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. harmonykentonline December 4, 2020 at 1:31 pm #

    I’d say this is a very warm welcome! Great poem. Thanks for the well wishes. I hope you and yours have a wonderful festive season. We have sleet and snow here, lols … but still a warm welcome 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Bette A. Stevens December 4, 2020 at 1:40 pm #

    Delightful! 🎄 Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas! xoxoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 4, 2020 at 4:40 pm #

      I’m so happy you enjoyed the poem, Bette. Thank you! Merry Christmas! ❤ xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. John W. Howell December 4, 2020 at 2:10 pm #

    Fun Florida poem, Vashti. Wishing you a Merry Christmas as well, Vashti

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 4, 2020 at 4:44 pm #

      Thank you, John! It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the poem. 😀 xo

      Like

      Reply
  8. memadtwo December 4, 2020 at 5:45 pm #

    Humans are endlessly adaptable. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. yvettemcalleiro December 4, 2020 at 7:02 pm #

    Lol! I can’t believe I’ve never seen this. I loved it! Thanks for sharing it, Vashti. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 4, 2020 at 9:17 pm #

      I thought you’d like it.😁 I’m happy you enjoyed it. Thank you❣️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Annette Rochelle Aben December 4, 2020 at 9:15 pm #

    Oh, this is cool! Merry Christmas, Vashti! and a Blessed New Year

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 4, 2020 at 9:19 pm #

      Thank you so much, my friend❣️ I’m thrilled you liked it. I wish all the best for you too. Hugs & kisses!🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. robbiesinspiration December 5, 2020 at 3:23 am #

    I love this, Vashti. Our Christmas is also a hot one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 5, 2020 at 3:07 pm #

      I’m happy you enjoyed it, Robbie. What’s one of your favorite south African Christmas traditions? I’m so curious. 😀 xo

      Like

      Reply
  12. Gwen M. Plano December 5, 2020 at 6:14 am #

    My goodness, I love this post! A bit of laugher, visions of fresh air, boat rides, and Disney World – just what I needed on this very cold morning. 💗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 5, 2020 at 3:12 pm #

      Awww. That makes me very happy, Gwen. Keep safe and warm, my friend. ❤ xo

      Like

      Reply
  13. Jan Sikes December 5, 2020 at 12:09 pm #

    That was a really fun poem, Vashti! Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 5, 2020 at 3:15 pm #

      Merry Christmas! It was my pleasure to share this poem. I enjoyed it very much too. Thank you, sweet Jan! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Writing to Freedom December 5, 2020 at 1:17 pm #

    Thanks for the delightful poem and smiles Vashti!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. markbierman December 6, 2020 at 9:56 am #

    That was awesome, Vashti! I loved it. 🙂 I live in Canada, frozen noses and all, but even we have our green Christmases, at times.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 6, 2020 at 10:24 am #

      That’s hard to picture, Mark. I’ve always imagined a Canadian Christmas being wintry and white. I’m happy you enjoyed the Florida Christmas poem. Thank you❣️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. dgkaye December 6, 2020 at 9:24 pm #

    I loved the poem Vashti, so apropros for Christmas in warmth, which about right now, I’m starting to crave. Hugs to you, and happy, safe holidays. ❤ xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 7, 2020 at 3:14 pm #

      I’m so happy you enjoyed the poem, Debby! I enjoy it when the temperature dips a bit over here. It gives us an excuse to drink hot cocoa and make stews. 😉 You stay warm and healthy. ❤ xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • dgkaye December 7, 2020 at 5:23 pm #

        Thank you my friend. Stay warm and safe! ❤ xxx

        Liked by 1 person

  17. karenringalls December 7, 2020 at 9:18 am #

    Christmas in Florida is different from the northern states. I grew up in Southern California so I am used to the warm, sunny Christmases in Florida. Love the photo of Santa ready to get in the water.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 7, 2020 at 3:18 pm #

      Hi, Karen! Yes, I suppose the Christmases in southern California are similar to ours. Those Santa pictures on the beach are adorable. I’m glad you liked them too. Thank you for stopping by it’s always a pleasure seeing you. Stay safe and healthy. ❤

      Like

      Reply
    • Les Norley December 12, 2020 at 7:20 pm #

      I wasn’t going in just checking out one of our shoots at this place reached 47 degrees C so yes it does get hot on the beach here

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. D. Wallace Peach December 8, 2020 at 4:19 pm #

    Oh my, this post made me laugh. I love the images of Santa and the poem was a hoot. Merry Christmas to all those celebrating the holidays in Sunny Florida. Stay safe, my friend. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 8, 2020 at 4:54 pm #

      I’m happy the post gave you a bit of cheer, my friend. Thank you! Stay safe, happy and healthy. ❤ xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Smitha V December 9, 2020 at 11:15 pm #

    Such a fun poem.Thank you for sharing it.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 10, 2020 at 3:26 pm #

      It’s my pleasure. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  20. Miriam Hurdle December 11, 2020 at 4:18 pm #

    What a fun poem, Vashti! Christmas in Florida surely is different than the scenes in the Hallmark cards. Merry Christmas to you and your family! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 11, 2020 at 5:51 pm #

      That’s for sure, Miriam. Ha, ha. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. Thank you! Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones too! ❤

      Like

      Reply
      • Miriam Hurdle December 11, 2020 at 9:48 pm #

        I’ll try to keep track of your book tour this month. My blogging is sprarectic. 💖

        Liked by 1 person

    • Vashti Q December 18, 2020 at 1:57 am #

      I’m leaving the book tour for January. There’s too much going on this month already. Thank you! ❤

      Like

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      • Miriam Hurdle December 18, 2020 at 12:58 pm #

        Good idea, Vashti. You’d have the undevided attention in January! 💖

        Liked by 1 person

  21. judeitakali December 20, 2020 at 3:24 am #

    This is a beautiful depiction of your Christmas ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 21, 2020 at 1:38 pm #

      Thank you, Jude! It’s different, but it’s a lot of fun. Merry Christmas! ❤

      Like

      Reply
  22. Shirley Harris-Slaughter December 26, 2020 at 8:37 pm #

    Love the poem and your blog Vashti.

    Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 30, 2020 at 7:13 pm #

      Thank you very much, Shirley! You’re always welcomed here. I love it when you visit. Have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day! ❤

      Like

      Reply
  23. Kally December 27, 2020 at 10:24 am #

    “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie

    Have a wonderful Christmas and joyous days ahead with warm laughter. Take care.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q December 30, 2020 at 7:15 pm #

      That’s a beautiful quote, Kally! Thank you for sharing it. Have a fabulous New Yea’rs Eve and New Year’s Day! Stay safe and healthy. 😀 xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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