The turkey decorations are being taken down and across the land people are taking out the Christmas decorations.  Our family actually got our ten-foot tree before Thanksgiving from the same people – North Carolina trees. 

Growing up in New England, my family has always preserved some Northern holiday decoration habits.  Every window has a nicely timed electric candle, simple design and wooden-like candle holder.  And fake hanging light icicles across all the gutters to replace all the real ones we once had.

When I was growing up, we relied on lightning, the possibility of making snowmen in the lawn, and wooden props for manger scenes or sleds or toboggans. Today, the big thing is Inflatables. Of example, Bed, Bath, and Beyond may have financial problems, but their website has a dozen pages of inflatables that can be sent to your house.  Amazon has almost as many selections.

While some Florida transplants may wish to remember their cold weather roots, we think Floridians and people who wish for a Sunshine State vacation should have inflatables that reflect their location.  Here are some of our favorite “warm weather” Christmas characters.

I will make concessions about Christmas decorations. Honor your pets PAST and PRESENT!

Both at Halloween and Christmas we honor Bitte and Danke our rescue dogs who went to Dog Heaven at ages 15 and 16. (I notice the shortage of Christmas cat inflatables.)

You are also allowed to have an inflatable you just love.

It does get cold in Tampa, but we don’t expect snow. Might put some marshmallow bags on lawn.

HERE ARE OUR FAVORITE INFLATABLES FOR FLORIDA.

SANTA in shorts, thongs with beach sand, a palm trees, and guitars. This is the Hawaiian version, I must admit, but maybe only San Diego can show this inflatable.

Overkill is OK if you are sending cellphone pics back up North: Santa, bathing suit, sand beach, surfing inflatable, beach chair, starfish, and happy reindeer.

Flamingos belong on Florida lawns but at Christmas they below with Santa and the beach sand and waves,

For those that like adventure sports, Santa and a shark is appropriate. It shows that we are not afraid on the warm Florida waters (compared to up North). Hey, two of the four JAWS films were done in Florida.

But let’s be blunt. Most people up North resent the fact that in Florida we can spend more time outdoors golfing, hiking, visiting parks, or just relaxing.

And don’t forget Jesus was not born in a Nordic snowy wonderland in Bethlehem.