The white Christmas I’m dreaming of has white, shell-speckled beaches, turquoise waters, and palm trees.
Sanibel Island is a wonderful place to spend the holidays, full with festivities, traditions, and Christmas cheer.
You can see it all around. The front page of the Island Sun notes that the decorations are up on the Sanibel Lighthouse, significant as our “enduring symbol of the island community and a world recognized icon.” The holiday decor on the lighthouse is compatible with the era in which it was constructed, in 1884.
If you haven’t made it to the lighthouse, maybe you’ve noticed the large, blow up lawn decorations along Periwinkle Way. Certainly not in keeping with the era the island was founded, though festive indeed!
In front of Lazy Flamingo a several Christmases ago with my sister and cousin!
Other activities include candlelit services and caroling under Christmas lights. Sanibel Community Church has an outdoor Christmas Eve service that concludes with singing Silent Night as each person holds a candle, shining into the night. Also, the Captiva Chapel By the Sea will have their annual Community Carol Sing on Sunday, December 13, and all are invited. There are a number of other places of worship on the island with seasonal events as well.
Photo taken from Christmas Eve candlelight service Sanibel Community Church in 2013
Another fun tradition is the Sanibel Island Kiwanis Club annual Santa Run. It’s the 42nd year Kiwanis will don their red suits and white beards to hand deliver presents on December 23rd between 6-8pm. Anyone is welcome to drop a gift off at the fire station with directions for who to deliver it to on the island. See more about it in the Island Sun or ask a Kiwanian.
There are many, many more holiday festivities and traditions, and of course, there’s also the beach! Nothing like getting sand in your toes on Christmas day, or the day after, or the day after that…
