Christmas in the South

0

As a Northerner, the holiday season that I experienced in Minnesota is pretty different from the holiday season that my children will experience living in South Carolina.

As a kid in Minnesota, Christmas morning usually meant waking up to beautiful, fluffy snow covering our yard. I’d stand over the heat register to feel the warm air blow on my legs while staring out the cold window watching the snow fall.

My siblings and I would unwrap presents from Santa which inevitably included new sleds and winter gear. We’d get bundled up while my dad warmed up the car and we would brave the cold to head to Christmas morning church.

Bulky winter coats, snow boots, hats and mittens would cover up our pretty Christmas dresses and matching tights. We’d have to carry our dress shoes separately to switch them out with our snowy boots once we were safely inside. Christmas at my Grandparents’ house was filled with sledding, snowman building, and sitting with our back against the warm fire. In short, Christmas in Minnesota is pretty magical.

Although a Christmas with snow is wonderful, my husband and I despise the snow any other day of the year, which is one of the reasons why we moved south! Part of me does feel a little sad for my sons who won’t ever really experience the picture-perfect Christmases that we did growing up. However, the more that I’ve thought about it, the pros of living in the South during the holidays just might outweigh the lack of Christmas snow.

My top 10 reasons why Christmas is better in the south:

  1. You don’t need to wear a bulky winter coat while Black Friday shopping at the outlet mall at 4 a.m.
  2. You can hang up your Christmas lights without worrying that your ladder is going to slip on the ice.
  3. In the south, it seems to be expected that macaroni and cheese will be served at every holiday meal.
  4. Snot doesn’t freeze in your nose while walking from the car to church on Christmas Eve.
  5. If you want to see snow, you can just drive a couple of hours to the mountains! And then head home to warmer weather a few days later when you are sick of it!
  6. Parades! I love how many Christmas parades there are in Charleston. There’s even the Christmas boat parade! With below zero temperatures and blustery conditions, holiday parades in the north are pretty miserable (if you can even find one!)
  7. After spending a lot of time getting ready and styling your hair for a holiday party, you don’t need to cover it up with a winter hat (which ALWAYS leads to static-y hair!)
  8. There is something magical about walking the streets of downtown Charleston during the holidays and seeing all the historical homes decorated for Christmas. And you don’t have to freeze your butt off while doing it.
  9. The temperatures are cool enough to have a fire going in your fireplace, but also warm enough to enjoy a bonfire outside.
  10. You can spend Christmas at the beach! Need I say more?

christmas in the south