The stereotypical Christmas is a wonderful winterland with sleigh bells and carolers bundled in scarves and mittens. But it isn’t always snow-covered trees and stocking by the fire. If you’re looking for warm weather Christmas ideas, look no further.
In this post Staci will share 21 ideas to make your warm weather Christmas fun for the entire family. Whether you live in a warm climate or are vacationing, these ideas will create memories to last a lifetime.
A Lifetime of Warm Christmases
Growing up in Arizona, I’ve had sunny Christmases most of my life. They were wonderful! The weather was beautiful, and we spent a lot of time outdoors. I now live in California and continue to have a warm weather Christmas every year.
Our family loves the sunny San Diego Christmas! It’s wonderful to enjoy the sun. Plus, you get to be creative and do things a little differently than you would in the snow. Whether you’re inland or at the beach, you can have the Christmas spirit wherever you are!
WARM WEATHER CHRISTMAS IDEAS
Spending Christmas on a beach or in a sunny destination can be a refreshing and unique experience. It’s a great way to break away from traditional holiday norms and create new memories. Whether you’re looking for a tropical paradise, a coastal oasis, or a lush green getaway, there are plenty of destinations around the world that offer a warm weather Christmas. Imagine this holiday season relaxing on the sand, soaking up some rays, and enjoying the festive atmosphere in a new way. Even if you’ve lived in a warm climate for years, here’s list of fun activities that’ll enliven your celebrations.
- Make sand angels.
- Look at Christmas lights.
- Outdoor ice skating.
- Make tinfoil dinners in a bonfire.
- Roast marshmallows over a bonfire.
- Have a snow battle in the backyard.
- Have an indoor snowball fight with fake snowballs. Plan a surprise attack!
- Collect sea shells and make Christmas ornaments.
- Collect sand dollars and make a snowman or ornaments.
- Make a gingerbread house into Santa’s beach cottage.
- Attend a local parade or light show.
- Take a family bike ride with Santa hats on.
- Build a Santa’s workshop sandcastle.
- Bake Christmas cookies.
- Go Christmas caroling.
- Read your favorite Christmas story under the stars.
- Trim your tree with tropical Christmas decorations.
- Go on a Christmas themed scavenger hunt.
- Have your Christmas Eve dinner outside.
- Make sand snowman.
- Go ice blocking.
Make Sand Angels
Just because there’s no snow, doesn’t mean you can’t make angels. Whether you’re at the beach or a park, lie down together and make a whole choir of sand angels. Which makes better sand angels: damp sand or dry sand?
Christmas Lights
Drive around with your windows down and look at Christmas lights together. Do some research and find a neighborhood that has coordinated efforts and decorated their whole neighborhood. Here are five examples People listed, coast to coast (go #2 in Gilbert, AZ!).
Outdoor Ice Skating
What? Ice skating in Florida? Yep! There are many warm climate cities with outdoor skating rinks, like Sand Diego, CA and Tampa, FL. I love the temporary one on Coronado Island that they do especially for Christmas. How is that possible? Check out this article by Accuweather.com to find out.
Foil Dinners in a Bonfire
While everyone is slaving away at their dinner inside with it blizzarding outside, you can be in the balmy breeze letting a bonfire cook yours. If you’ve never made a tinfoil dinner, click here for some great recipes.
Roast Marshmallows Over a Bonfire
Sing with me! Marshmallows roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost . . . well . . . I suppose he’s headed to colder climates. There’s nothing like a crackling fire to feel like winter is really here. Instead of being cooped up in the house in front of a fireplace, you get to go outside and enjoy one al fresco. Try some great roasted marshmallow and other campfire recipes by clicking here.
Snow Battle in the Backyard
Missing the white stuff? Grab a can of shaving cream, or whip cream if you want to be sweet, and have an epic snow battle in the backyard. Give everyone their own can and go to town!
Indoor Snowball Fight
Who said you can’t have a snowball fight without snow? Grab some paper, wad it up, and presto! You have your own snowballs. For a softer version, visit my online store and grab a bucket of super soft snowballs.
Seashell Christmas Ornaments
Spend a day on the beach collecting seashells and then go home and make ornaments for your tree with jute twine and some hot glue.
Sand Dollar Snowman/Ornaments
Sand dollars are perfect for making snowman decorations. It’s like a scavenger hunt to find the right sizes. Maybe you want a bigger one for the bottom and a small for the top. If you need one as an example, or you don’t have a beach, grab these cute guys at my shop.
Santa’s Beach Cottage Gingerbread House
I love making gingerbread houses with my grandkids. Bake your own gingerbread house with these cutters from Amazon, or simply use graham crackers to make Santa his own beach cottage. He’ll be glad to visit after his long flight is over. Crush graham crackers for sand and blue jello for water.
Local Parades or Light Shows
It’s true there are many light shows and parades at Christmas, but how many people get to see them wearing shorts! Maybe the whole family could dress up in elf or Santa costumes wearing Bermuda shorts.
Family Bike Ride with Santa Hats
The weather is perfect for a bike ride. Everyone can don their Santa hats and decorate the bikes with battery-powered lights and festive tinsel.
Build Santa’s Workshop Sandcastle
If you’re visiting the beach, build Santa’s Workshop Sandcastle. Have a competition to see who can build the most elaborate castle or build a giant one together. Click here for a cool set of molds on Amazon.
Bake Christmas Cookies
Everyone loves warm cookies. You can use cactus or palm tree cookie cutters, or simply bake up a family favorite recipe.
Christmas Caroling
Perhaps your family loves to sing. Take the show on the road and go caroling to your neighbors or at the park. If you’re lucky, it’ll be chilly enough to wear a jacket so you’ll look the part.
Christmas Story Under the Stars
Grab a blanket and a flashlight and read THE Christmas story or your favorite Christmas story under the stars.
Tropical Christmas Decorations
Instead of the typical poinsettias and holly, how about using a tropical theme to decorate your home or hotel room? Get a small palm to hang ornaments on. String some paper lanterns or light tiki torches. Make a wreath out of tropical flowers.
Christmas Themed Scavenger Hunt
Since the roads aren’t icy, go on a Christmas scavenger hunt looking for items such as a Santa hat, elf ears, Rudolph’s nose, the largest tree-topper star (for extra points), mistletoe, holly berries, a snow globe, reindeer poop, wrapping paper, etc. Get creative.
Christmas Eve Beach Picnic
Take advantage of the glorious weather and have a Christmas Eve dinner at the beach, a park, or on your backyard patio.
Snowman / Sandman
Don’t feel bad that you can’t build a snowman. Look at the bright side. You can build a Sandman and your hands won’t freeze. Use items you find on the beach or park for his nose, hair, face, and arms.
Ice Blocking
Ice blocking is a great memory from my childhood. Our youth group would go nearly every year. It’s probably the only time our hands actually got cold and our fannies freezing.
TIME TOGETHER IS THE GIFT
These 21 ideas should brighten the dark days of winter and make your holiday one to remember for a long time. Consider starting new traditions using some of these suggestions. The most important thing is to spend quality time with your loved ones and create cherished memories. Enjoy your warm weather Christmas!!
YOUR TURN
Have you done any of these activities? Is there something new you’re going to try? Share a warm weather Christmas memory if you have one. We’d love to hear your suggestions!
