Decorating for the Holidays - Florida-Style

Cold and snow? Not for us! Winter's chill might be the harbinger of holiday celebrations elsewhere, but in the Sunshine State, the holiday season glitters with warmth.

Floridians know we don’t need snow for beautiful and festive holiday décor – after all, Florida's balmy weather keeps spirits high and foliage green, making holiday decorating as simple as adding some glowing lights! If you’re looking for inspiration and ideas for how to decorate your Florida home for the holidays, explore these festive Florida holiday decor ideas tailor-made for your sunny sanctuary.

Illuminate Your Yard, Florida-Style  

In Florida's warm embrace, holiday décor extends far beyond snowmen and reindeer. A simple and timeless approach is to adorn your palm trees with a touch of elegance using warm white lights. 

If your style is more colorful and bright, opt for the eye-catching appeal of multicolored LED lights to make your palms the talk of the town. Or, level up by adding ornaments to your palms for a decorated Florida-style Christmas tree in your front yard.

And, there are easy alternatives to hanging lights – many people ease the pressure of decorating by utilizing store-bought Christmas yard decorations:

• Light show projectors: They’re all the trend for a reason! Save time by decorating the exterior of your home in as little time as it takes to plug in the machine. There are a variety of Christmas light show projectors out there with everything from classic red and green lights to your favorite holiday characters – you can even make it look like snowflakes are falling!

• Inflatables: Enjoy the wide array of inflatable characters available at any of your local home-improvement stores. For Florida holiday décor, winter flamingos, sun-kissed Santas, and hula-dancing penguins are hot this season!

• Net lights: A speedy holiday classic, net lights can transform any bush, hedge, or tree into a dazzling display instantaneously.

Holiday Décor for Your Front Porch

Many new construction homes in Florida have a front porch – We love both southern-style and outdoor living spaces in the Sunshine State! Invite the season in, starting at your front door.

Begin by framing your entry with lush greenery or dried branch garland. Wrapping it in twinkling lights can instantly evoke the holiday spirit!

Then, add in a few (or all!) of these merry touches to complete your entryway décor: 

• Add potted poinsettias or evergreen trees in decorative pots for an extra touch of warmth and festivity.

• Add a statement-making holiday wreath on your front door as the crowning jewel of your porch décor. Opt for a traditional greenery arrangement, or go beach-themed to warmly welcome all who cross the threshold into your home.

• Have fun choosing a happy holiday door mat that coordinates with your décor while welcoming friends and family. From patterns and colors to fun sayings and even personalized options, this small touch is sure to make all your guests smile.

• Embrace the inviting charm of southern holiday decor by adorning your front porch or lanai seating with festive cushions and throws in seasonal colors or patterns to create a cozy nook perfect for sipping cocoa and watching the sunset during balmy evenings.

Decorate Using Your Favorite Things 

Investing in décor that you love is key to creating a warm and cozy home for the holidays. Maybe you love traditional red and green, perhaps your tree shines with more contemporary colors, or you dive into a creating a beach-inspired wonderland! 

Part of decorating your home for the holidays is expressing yourself - Your color scheme doesn’t have to stick with classic red and green! Here are a few alternative Christmas colors that may better match your style: 

• Vibrant blues and paired with silver or gold bring the feeling of surf and sand to your home. Mix in iridescent hues reminiscent of the sparkling surf, and seashells and starfish can easily be dressed up for the holidays!

• Always a classic, silver compliments any colors you love, allowing you to incorporate your favorite color palette into holly jolly holiday decor.

• For a truly unique Florida holiday, consider using Flamingo pink! This fun pop of color will surely bring a smile to your face all season long.

And, your decoration materials may stray from the traditional evergreen or pine. In Florida, there is water all around us - Bring the essence of the beach into your home with coastal-style holiday décor:

• Embrace the ocean’s detritus by using seashells, coral, or sea glass to create a seaside centerpiece.

• Or, the same materials can be crafted into an oceanic wreath.

• Incorporate natural elements such as sea grasses, dried palm fronds, or driftwood to bring the beauty of Florida’s shores into your celebrations.

• You can even use sand – we love these DIY beach sand ornaments for our tree!

No Mantle? No Problem.

Tradition says to hang your stocking by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there. In Florida, we know it doesn’t matter where the stockings are hung as long as they can be filled with treats! 

If you don’t have a fireplace mantle (and most of us in Florida don’t), here are some options for where to hang stockings when you don't have a fireplace:

• Hang them off furniture! Use stocking hooks on the edge of a shelf, entertainment center, or even your kitchen countertop. 

• Use coat hooks! Many of us already have coat hooks in our homes, and if you don’t, it’s reasonably cheap to add some. If you don’t want permanent hooks, Command hooks are a low-commitment alternative.

• Build a DIY stocking stand! And when it’s not the holiday season, this stand could double as a plant stand or even somewhere to hang backpacks and handbags.

• We all have them – windows! Simply tie your stockings to your curtain rod with a piece of pretty ribbon – you may even decorate the window frame with glowing lights. (One note, we wouldn’t leave chocolate in there during daylight unless melted candy is your jam.)

• A fun tradition to start with children is hanging stockings on doorknobs. Whether they open their eyes to a Christmas surprise or you use this as a scavenger hunt, it’s sure to bring cheer on Christmas morning.

• Put your decorative blanket ladder to a seasonal use! Hang stockings from the rungs, adding a rustic and festive touch to your décor.

Uniquely Florida Holiday Décor

Florida's vibrant culture and tropical landscapes inspire decor that's anything but ordinary. Add wacky and whimsical charm to your holiday display - Think flamingos, Miami-inspired art deco colors, and Santa-donning shades under the radiant Florida sun.

• Add a playful twist to your holiday décor by featuring a surfing Santa – imagine a jolly St. Nick catching waves atop a surfboard decked in festive colors!

• Illuminate your Christmas display with whimsical flair by incorporating light-up flamingos, which cast a vibrant glow of tropical charm.

• Infuse a touch of beachside bliss into your Christmas décor by adding flip-flops and surf boards as playful touches.

• Frosty the sand-man? That may not be the name of the holiday classic, but in Florida, no snow is needed to make this jolly symbol of winter!

• Embrace coastal living by crafting gingerbread boats in place of gingerbread houses! Sail into the season with edible creations inspired by the sea, complete with sugary sails and candy portholes for a delightful nautical touch.

• Continue cultivating your coastal holiday haven with a beach-themed tree. Adorn it with seashell ornaments, twinkling lights, and strands of pearls or starfish garlands for a whimsically elegant touch that celebrates the spirit of the shore.

• Or, take your tree under the sea with vibrant colors and coral, mermaid, and seahorse ornaments.

Looking for more inspiration? Dive into our Pinterest gallery for a treasure trove of holiday decor inspiration.

Happy Holidays in Your New Home

From all of us at Highland Homes, we wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays, and Season’s Greetings.

Highland Homes builds beautiful new construction homes in Florida in popular areas including Lakeland-Winter Haven, Tampa Bay, Metro Orlando, Bradenton-Sarasota, and Ocala. Call or Email us to connect with one of our Florida New Home Specialists for assistance finding your dream home for the holidays!