Christmas in Sarasota
This year my wife and I decided to do something different for Christmas.
Our kids were all going to be out of town so we were "Home Alone".
It would be a different kind of Christmas with no family around, first problem was to figure out "what to do." There are very few businesses and restaurants open on Christmas Day, so that would be our first challenge.
Christmas Eve was easy, we have made a tradition of going to the Madfish Grill on Cattlemen Road, so that was the first thing on the list, making a reservation for 7:00PM our holiday was underway! Next on the list was deciding what to do next, we both grew up with a religious background, but although we are spiritual in nature we are not avid churchgoers.
We bought each other Christmas gifts on our last cruise, so that function was already taken care of. We have throughly enjoyed this Christmas Season although we didn't put up a tree, my wife , who converted to Judaism has no problem with a tree, but I wasn't in the mood, so no tree, maybe next year!
By chance we saw a news blurp on TV about a Christmas display at 59th and Tuttle in Sarasota, so we decided that would be our evenings entertainment.It was fabulous, there were probably two acres of lights, displays and music, complete with cookies and punch!
It had drawn quite a crowd as there were literally people there from all over the country as well as Canada! It is our understanding that this display has been available for several years and I am sure it will be on our list of "to do" things next year!
Christmas morning dawned warm and beautiful, so after all the calls to family, we decided it was time to hit the beach. Thinking that no one would be there , we were surprised to find the beach at Siesta Key packed, so we were able to partake in the time honored ritual of searching for a parking spot.
No beach chairs for us! We came to walk, so off we went to the Point of Rocks, the beach was filled with locals and visitors alike, you can tell the difference,the visitors are swimming in the 70 degree water(no self respecting Floridian would ever go in water with a temperature lower than 80 degrees!)and when they exit the water they are either fried to a crisp or lilly white.
We enjoyed the holiday spirit, as people were building snowmen out of sand, I just had to send a photo to my snowbound northern relatives!
Hunger having overtaken us, it was time for our Christmas feast. Driving around, most of our normal haunts were closed, making our way to St. Armand's Circle,we found life, there were places open!
Christmas Day offered us the opportunity to find a convenient parking spot close to the restaurants on the north side of the circle.
After discussing our options, we decided to eat at Coconuts, which affords open air curb side dining.
The evening was perfect, the temperature was a balmy 75 degrees, no snow, and my Caribbean Steak ,complimented with onion strings and a vegetable was delicious. What a way to celebrate Christmas, life is good!!
Florida Vacation Rentals
Posted by The Florida Hoosier at 12/29/2007 10:24 AM 
Categories: Tampa Bay Florida area and Sarasota
Categories: Tampa Bay Florida area and Sarasota
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