Tag Archives: Christmas

Beachy Christmas Songs for 2022

My husband has a new radio show in Sarasota, FL. You can tune in from anywhere online at www.wslr.org. The show is called Longboat Luau and he is The Ho Dad.

That makes me Mrs. Ho Dad.

Anyway, he collected a boatload of great songs to give you that tiki, island beach party vibe.

We were discussing his show on December 15^th because it’s his only show before Christmas, and how Christmas music will be incorporated into the theme.

Ho Dad is a music master. A former DJ from Roanoke, VA, he has a playlist to last for years to come. Plus, his knowledge of music lands him the title of “Music Historian.”

I reminded him of my blog post from 2014 (WOW! That long ago) where I listed 25 beach-themed Christmas songs.

For me, it was a no-brainer to first go to the Beach Boys for some songs but there are plenty of others that are tops on my list. These are from artists like Bing Crosby, The Embers, Jimmy Buffet, Squirrel Nut Zippers and more.

Of course, Ho Dad, has a better list than mine so we’ve combined them here for you to choose from.

All are available on your favorite music streaming app or video channel. Make up your own beachy music playlist for Christmas this year using these ideas. It’s not exhaustive so you might come up with some on your own but here are our favorites.

But first here’s a reprint of my previous blog article about beach inspiration this holiday.

1. Christmas in the Sand, Colbie Caillat
2. The Little Saint Nick, Beach Boys
3. Christmas in the Caribbean, Jimmy Buffet
4. All I Want for Christmas is a Really Good Tan, Kenny Chesney
5. Christmas on the Beach, Irene
6. Christmas Island, Andrew Sisters, and Bing Crosby. Jimmy Buffet also does a great version.
7. Surf Rock Christmas, Ventures
8. It’s Gonna Be A Surfer’s Christmas, Morning Glass
9. Aloha Christmas, Dukes of Surf
10. I Love Christmas Music, Embers
11. Mele Kalikimaka, Bing Crosby
12. Christmas Surf-Noir Style, Bikini Beach Band
13. Christmas at the Beach, Uncle Moondog
14. A Kiwi Christmas, The Polka Dots
15. White Christmas, The Ventures
16. Christmas for Surfers, Wheeland Brothers
17. Mary’s Boy Child in a Cha Cha Style
18. Deck the Halls on Steel Drum, Lightning Jack
19. Calypso Noel, Beckett
20. Boogie Woogie Santa Claus, The Band of Oz
21. Captain Creedmore’s Cajun Crawfish Christmas, King Tyrone & The Graveyard Ramblers
22. Christmas on the Coast, John Barker & Mark Black
23. Carolina Christmas, Squirrel Nut Zippers
24. Tropical Christmas, Bellamy Brothers
25. Christmas in Jamaica, The Aracanians
26. Surfer’s Christmas, The Surfaris
27. Surfin’ on Christmas Day, Southern Culture on the Skids
28. Mambo Santa Mambo, The Enchanters

Merry Christmas, and God Bless.

The beach changes us.

It gets into our soul.

It’s a culture that you either love or hate but if you love it, it reminds you of the fun times you’ve had during the summer.

To dream of having a warm, tropical, beach-side Christmas holiday is something I bet most of us have done.

Some (me included) have been fortunate to live coastal and experience the warm weather, sea breeze, salt spray and Christmas trees all in one setting.

With my sweet family, I’ve snow men on the beach made from white Gulf Coast sand and a snow man kit which included a scarf, corncob pipe, buttons and a carrot nose.

We’ve spent countless hours building castles, digging holes, and swimming in the waves during the holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Years and beyond.

We’ve attended “Main Street” parties where bubble snow falls from machines on the tops of buildings onto the tropical shoppers below.

We’ve walked in flip flops and swimsuits past Christmas trees that were set up near the beach, where palm trees and flowering tropicals sway giving you the false sense of what season it really is.

It’s just fun and strange at the same time.

Growing up in Maryland, Christmas was cold, the trees were bare, and the land was usually snow covered, even sometimes on the beach.

But my life is beach inspired (blame my parents) so I have incorporated this lifestyle into almost everything I do and thankfully I found a soulmate with the same goals.

So, I will share with you, my readers who I greatly appreciate, a list of wonderful songs that get me pumped for the season of Christmas, wherever I am. Can you think of others? Send me a note.

Christmas Along the Gulf Coast

Here’s what’s up for the Christmas season 2014 along the Gulf Coast.

TEXAS:

Corpus Christi has a lot to offer this Christmas season so get out your calendar to make sure you have the important events penciled in. From “Storytime with Mrs. Santa Claus” at the Harbor Playhouse, The Town & Country Christmas Classic shopping gala, the 5K Santa Boogie, the Nutcracker Ballet, the Winter Wonderettes, to the Town Club Holiday Shop and more, you’ll have to schedule in your meal time and visits with friends. Enjoy all of the events and when it’s over, have fun as a participant or spectator at the Polar Bear Plunge on New Years Day. Click here for the schedule.

Galveston‘s holiday season starts off with an event the day after Thanksgiving at the Hotel Galvez on Seawall Blvd. Carolers, the tree lighting, Santa and many great displays will be available to keep you and your family busy and in the spirit. Take in the Home for the Holidays Gift Mart and the Ice Sculptures and Festival of lights at Moody Gardens. Dickens on the Strand, Handbell Concert, Victorian Holiday Homes Tour, and a Victorian Pipe Organ Extravaganza are just a few of the other events planned for you. Click here for the schedule.

Houston has a fun calendar of events. Start your planning with the H-E-B Parade in Downtown Houston on the 27th. Visit the Houston Zoo’s “Zoo Lights” and the largest display of lights along the Gulf Coast on Galveston Bay. The performing arts list includes The Rockettes, Dear Santa, Madeline’s Christmas, Very Merry Pops and more. There’s a candlelight tour of Houston’s oldest historic homes decorated for the holiday season. If you like concerts, be sure to catch the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Elisabeth von Trapp, the Symphomy, and the ROCO Brass Quintet. Houston hosts 5K runs, holiday shops and an outdoor skating rink. Click here for more information.

LOUISIANA:

A New Orleans Christmas features the traditional Reveillon Dinner that all guests to the Crescent City should try. Here’s a list of restaurants that participate. Make your reservations early. While you’re in town, don’t miss caroling in Jackson Square, Celebration in the Oaks, Bonfires on the Levee, holiday shops, home tours and St Louis Cathedral concerts. Click here for Christmas holiday event information and laissez bon temps rouler through the holiday season.

MISSISSIPPI:

From Ocean Springs to Biloxi/Gulfport there are plenty of events to keep you busy. Pass Christian celebrates with a tree lighting, street concerts and crafts, Santa and a 5K run on Dec 5 & 6. Other tree lighting festivals include Pascagoula, Bay St Louis, Long Beach and Ocean Springs. Several towns have lighted boat parades including Biloxi/Gulfport. Holiday shops, performing arts and Christmas at Beauvoir should be on your calendar. For more information on Mississippi Gulf Coast Christmas click here.

ALABAMA:

Mobile‘s Hank Aaron Stadium is hosting a drive-thru Christmas light show with synchronized music playing over your car’s radio. More holiday lights can be found at Bellingrath Gardens. The city cancelled it’s Christmas parade this year but you can swing over to the other side of the Bay for the Gulf Shores Lighted Boat Parade and other events. While you’re there, drive down Fairhope Avenue at night. The street is lined with heavily lighted trees and it’s really beautiful. View the lights and the gingerbread display at the Point Clear Marriott Grand Hotel. Click here for the schedule.

FLORIDA:

Pensacola holds its Winterfest right after Thanksgiving every year. Check on the schedule and get your tickets early because they tend to sell out fast for certain events. There is plenty to do: carolers, shopping, parades, reindeer games, carriage rides and more!! Click here.

The Emerald Coast Christmas events include parades, Dicken’s Christmas, Jingle Bell Jog, Symphony, Holiday markets, lighted boat parades, concerts and, of course, Santa. Here’s the schedule of events.

Tampa‘s Santa Fest has lots of family activities, a parade and ice skating. During the rest of the holiday season you can catch some holiday music concerts like the USF Choral Christmas Concert, the Nutcracker, Winterville, Twinkle in Tampa Bay (the decorated boat festival of lights) and more. Calendar of events for Tampa.

In Sarasota you can attend the Christmas parade and tree lighting, watch the lighted boat parade, listen to the Pops Orchestra, watch the Nutcracker, attend some holiday markets. Lakewood Ranch is hosting their Main Street party with parade featuring the jolly old elf, carriage rides and carolers. View holiday decorations and lights at Spanish Point and Ca’ d’Zan and Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Participate in activities and parades on St Armand’s Circle and downtown Sarasota. Click here for more information.

I hope you got the picture: there’s a lot to do along the Gulf Coast during the Christmas season this year. Unfortunately I can’t name them all for you but try to make it to the events listed above or find some that are closer to your Gulf Coast home. What ever you do, I wish you a great season of joy and a Merry Christmas.

25 Days of Beach-Themed Christmas Songs

25 Days of Beachy Christmas Music. What a cool idea. You could just LIKE my Facebook page, Crafty Beachcomber, to get a daily dose of beach themed Christmas songs but I’ll give you a list to go by in case you want to make your own online music list.

What I’ve come up with are the following. Some have Youtube videos available to watch, some don’t but they’re all available somewhere, somehow for you to enjoy this Christmas season. I won’t include any links because of licensing.

It’s a no-brainer to first go to the Beach Boys for some songs but there are plenty others that are tops on my list. These are from artists like Bing Crosby, The Embers, Jimmy Buffet, Squirrel Nut Zippers and more.

The beach changes us. It gets into our soul. It’s a culture that you either love or hate but if you love it, it reminds you of the fun times you’ve had during the summer and to dream of having a warm, tropical, beach-side Christmas holiday is something I bet most of us have done. Some of us (me included) have been fortunate to live coastal and experience the warm weather, sea breeze, salt spray and Christmas trees all in one setting. I’ve made, with the help of my family, snow men on the beach made from white Gulf Coast sand and a snow man kit which included a scarf, corncob pipe, buttons and a carrot nose. We’ve spent countless hours building castles, digging to China and swimming in the waves during the holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Years and beyond. We’ve gone to “Main Street” parties where snow falls from machines on the tops of buildings onto the tropical shoppers below. We’ve walked in flip flops and swim suits past Christmas trees set up near the beach where palm trees and flowering tropicals sway giving you the false sense of what season it really is. It’s just fun and strange at the same time. Growing up in Maryland, Christmas was cold, the trees were bare and the land was usually snow covered; except at the beach.

But my life is beach inspired (blame my parents) so I have incorporated this lifestyle into almost everything I do (and thankfully I found a soulmate with the same goals), regardless of where I live (currently inland). So I will share with you, my readers that I greatly appreciate, a list of wonderful songs that get me pumped for the season of Christmas, where ever I am. Can you think of others? Send me a note.

Merry Christmas, and God Bless.

1. Christmas in the Sand, Colbie Caillat

2. The Little Saint Nick, Beach Boys

3. Christmas in the Caribbean, Jimmy Buffet

4. All I Want for Christmas is a Really Good Tan, Kenny Chesney

5. Christmas on the Beach, Irene

6. Christmas Island, Andrew Sisters and Bing Crosby. Jimmy Buffet also does a great version.

7. Surf Rock Christmas, Ventures

8. It’s Gonna Be A Surfer’s Christmas, Morning Glass

9. Aloha Christmas, Dukes of Surf

10. I Love Christmas Music, Embers

11. Mele Kalikimaka, Bing Crosby

12. Christmas Surf-Noir Style, Bikini Beach Band

13. Christmas at the Beach, Uncle Moondog

14. A Kiwi Christmas, The Polka Dots

15. White Christmas, The Ventures

16. Christmas for Surfers, Wheeland Brothers

17. Mary’s Boy Child in a Cha Cha Style

18. Deck the Halls on Steel Drum, Lightning Jack

19. Calypso Noel, Beckett

20. Boogie Woogie Santa Claus, The Band of Oz

21. Captain Creedmore’s Cajun Crawfish Christmas, King Tyrone & The Graveyard Ramblers

22. Christmas on the Coast, John Barker & Mark Black

23. Carolina Christmas, Squirrel Nut Zippers

24. Tropical Christmas, Bellamy Brothers

25. Christmas in Jamaica, The Aracanians

What’s On Your Tree?

Christmas trees come in all sizes and styles. So do decorations. From homemade to vintage glass ornaments, to simple colored balls hanging from the branches, everyone has their own theme of decoration.

Mine is a beach theme and I want to share with you some tips to how to make this kind of themed Christmas tree work for you.

We started out with white starfish, little white lights and gold balls. Wrapped gracefully with a gold 2-inch ribbon, the tree was very elegant in our home in Surfside Beach SC.

This was a favorite for years…simple, elegant and easy to set up. The kids had their own little tree of “toy” decorations that they could play with, so this tree became the family tree year after year.

Starfish tree 2012

Now we have a small tree in our small home and since the starfish are really too large for the tree, we have decorated it with other items.

Glass Balls:

You can purchase clear glass or plastic ornament balls from craft stores or online. Simply draw out, first on paper, a great sea life design and remake it on the ball, in the round, using glass paints from the craft store. Attach a narrow, decorative ribbon around the top.

My friend Susan made this.

There are some plastic balls that come apart in the middle. You can put things into the ball and glue it closed. You’ll have a seam, but it’s the best ornament for larger items like larger seashells, beachcombing treasures etc.

Memory Ball Ornaments:

We keep clear, decorative bottles around the house with sand in them from our favorite beaches. For a Christmas tree decoration, I have put some of the sand in glass or plastic ornament balls from craft stores. There are plenty of tutorials online about how to do this but I have read one yet warning not to overload the ornament. Sand can be heavy and too much inside the ball will be to heavy for the tree limb to hold it. Additionally, know your sand. Most is very grainy, some is very powdery. If you add small shells, they may sink into the sand, not to be seen. If you store the ball from one year to the next, a simple jostling may cause the powdery sand to coat the inside of the ball making it difficult to see what is inside. Experiment with each kind of sand you have and you may want to shake it to see what happens to the shells you add. Some of my ornaments need a re-do. Some I’ve filled with just sand. But all of them I’ve labeled somehow. You can take a glass paint pen and write the name of the beach on the ball or attach a decorative tag at the top alongside the hanger. If you are confident the ornament is what you want, run some glue along the top before capping it. Attach a ribbon to hang it with.

Sand from one of our favorite beaches. The sand was heavy so I didn’t put much into it. I labeled it with a glass paint pen.

Commercially made ornaments:

There are a lot out there; some tacky, some classy. I was collecting Santas a few years back and combined this collection with the beach theme. I’ve picked a hula Santa and a flamingo-riding Santa for my tree.

Hula Santa

I have also found glass sea critter ornaments to add to my tree.

Glass Seahorse ornament

Sea Shells:

Clams, Oysters and Sand dollars are common shells for painting on. Turn an oyster shell into a Santa head. Paint a landscape, portrait or other design inside a clam or oyster shell. Decorate a sand dollar with a fun design or glitter. Sometimes a simple red or green ribbon and the date and place written with a paint pen or Sharpie pen on a shell or sand dollar is a perfect Christmas tree decoration. Don’t forget the small starfish. Attach a loop of ribbon with glue so you can hang it. You can also use the starfish as a tree topper.

Painting on a clam shell. A gift from my friend Catherine.

Turn an oyster shell into a Santa. My son, Austin, made this in first grade.

One year, hundreds of urchins washed up on shore where I lived. They were dead: empty of life and mostly missing their spines. So I grabbed what I could carry, cleaned them and used some for decoration. Three different sized urchins stacked and glued together can become a snowman. Simply paint it white and add a face. Or, paint it green and add dots of colors to look like lights and decorations.

I’ve taken a single urchin test and turned it into a jelly fish ornament. Here’s how: Once cleaned out take a very thin ribbon and thread it into a bead larger than the hole in the top of the test. Cut 3 or 4 very thin ribbon pieces 6 inches long. Fold the ribbons onto the ribbon with the bead. Pull both ends of the beaded ribbon up through the bottom of the urchin and through the top. You now have tentacles hanging from the bottom. Thread a bead or two through the top ribbons to hold it in place above the urchin. This will also protect the hole from damaging and getting larger. Tie a knot at the end of the ribbons and hang on your tree.