My niece Heidi and her husband own a VRBO in Homosassa Springs, Florida. I took you on a tour of the house and nearby attractions in April 2021.
In early December, I revisited the house. During the holiday season Heidi decorated a tree with tropical treasures. The tree added a pop of color and subtle light to the living room corner.
The ornaments are all tropical. . . or nautical.
Flamingo floaty with sea star
Sunglasses a must, even in winter
The Amusing Puffer fish
Even fish may need a life raft!
Peacocks popular on area farms or in back yards
A sea horse who likes lemons. . . imagine!
The precious sea turtle, amphibious
Iridescent oyster alongside pineapple
Manta Ray, a snorkeler’s dream
At Crump’s Restaurant nearby, Santa was in full sway
If you visit Homosassa, you will have a whale of a time!
The ornamental tree amuses guests at Heidi and Eric’s VRBO. It is simply an embellishment to the Christian holiday they celebrate, according to Luke 2 in New Testament Scripture as prophesied in the Old Testament:
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel, [God is with us]
Antique Nativity ornament
How do you celebrate the season?
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Kwanzaa!
Happy New Year!
Good morning, Marian. This brought a smile to my face. Fun ornaments–perfect for a vacation place. Thank you for sharing.
Wishing you, Cliff, and your family a joyous, healthy holiday! 💙
Smiles are a wonderful way to start the day and so are wishes for staying healthy. It occurs to me that a few years ago we many not have included “health” so heartily until the new year. But it’s become a priority now. Wishing you the same, Merril! 😀
Thank you and you’re welcome, Marian!
What a fabulous tree. What does VRBO mean? Is it similar to Air B & B? We have a traditional Christmas tree. One year I decorated it in a variety of shoe ornaments since I love shoes. It was fun. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas!!
Yes, similar to Air B & B, VRBO means vacation rental by owner. I smiled when you mentioned shoes as tree ornaments. At the moment, a pair of shiny red shoes is hanging from one of the boughs on our tree. Thanks for the good wishes, Darlene! 😀
What a vibrant tree Marian thank you for sharing it! Quite extraordinary … the lights in amongst all the natural decorations really make it quite a masterpiece! Thank you for your good wishes, and the same to you and family – have a lovely, peaceful, safe and healthy time. Will assuredly attend church .. it’s a quiet Christmas at home, the small white wooden tree is up, tinsel and lights intertwined. I put glitzy crackers in among the decorations. The star is up at he top .. still to finish wrapping a few more presents and then I’ll put them under the tree …
I just finished reading YOUR post about this season and remember that Elaine M. mentioned that in South Africa you are “at the opposite end of the sun’s pendulum.” Neat!
I too like the wooden nativity scene, which includes Mary and Joseph, the characters missing on my tree ornament here. I’m glad you are enjoying a quiet Christmas as there’ll be a lot of celebrate with a grandchild coming in the new year. 😀
Merry Christmas, Marian and family!
Thank you, Jack, and the same to you! 😀
What a fun Florida themed Christmas tree! It looks like we’re going to have a white Christmas this year. My husband and I are planning a scenic drive on the 24th so I can get some photos, following by a tour of light displays once night falls.
I could dream of a white Christmas in Florida, but it wouldn’t come true. I long for a white Christmas as you are expecting, “just like the ones I used to know.” I hope we’ll see some fun photos online from your drive and tour of lights. It’s always nice to have something to look forward to. Thanks for sharing these, Liz. 😀
Earlier today, I was idly wondering whether I should share the photos. Your comments have clinched it, thank you!
Liz, glad to hear it!
🙂
So glad you enjoyed the Christmas decor!
I love visiting places that keep up with the holidays 😃
Heidi, you are on the cutting edge, for sure. We appreciate the opportunity to visit your charming place on the river and near the Gulf. Lucky us! 😀
Love it! I like a tree with personality. A friend of ours has a tree decorated with dolls from around the world. Stunning.
I like themed trees too although ours is a mish-mash of ornaments collected or given to us, mostly all of them decades ago. Very old-fashioned. Thanks for sharing your joy here, Arlene! 😀
A lovely tree and theme for Homosassa Springs area. I remember my folks talking about trips to Homosassa Springs on one of their Florida stays. We just got back from an early Christmas celebration with MY sisters a little further up the coast from you at Cherry Grove Beach, South Carolina. Actually it was a birthday surprise I’ll probably write about later. Now I’m home and will gear up for some kind of holiday celebration here Dec. 26-28 with family, not sure yet how that will all work out, depending on Covid tests. But we know things didn’t all go smoothly at that first Christmas, right? So we will journey ahead and be thankful for the blessings we have.
I hope you had a warm welcome in South Carolina. I look forward to your sharing your birthday surprise soon. Thanks for the update and for the reminder that things didn’t all go smoothy on that first Christmas. Sending gratitude back to you and your family, Melodie. 😀
As we prepare to head south for Christmas, this lovely tree is a visual treat. I remember seeing my first palm trees decorated for Christmas and thinking how strange it seemed. To you, tropical Christmas must seem natural. I love that people in all hemispheres and climates celebrate Christmas. We are about to journey with faith and care. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Actually, tropical trees don’t seem natural to me even now. Ours is old-fashioned with ornaments dating back to Christmas trees early in our marriage.
We will have a warm welcome for you in Florida. Although today is blustery and cool (by our standards), the weekend will bring temps in the high 70s. Woo Hoo!
Safe travels to the South. 😀
Beautiful tree and ornaments!
I am celebrating in a modest way this year due to impending deadlines and family illnesses. My brothers will be with their in-laws. Friends invited me to share a quick meal.
You sound very, very busy. Even though it will be a quick meal, I’m so very happy you have a Christmas invitation. Hugs for the season–and best wishes for the new year ahead, L. Marie!
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Marian — Oh, what fun-filled Christmas ornaments they have on their tree. I enjoyed the photos you shared!
I imagine people of all ages and stages take delight in discovering the ornaments on this tree! Thank you for sharing.
We will have a very quiet holiday, as we celebrated on Thanksgiving with family a few hours away.
Best wishes to all for health, and joy.
Ginger, I think Thanksgiving is the very best time to be with family–less fuss with gifts and such. I wish you health and joy as well. Thank you! 😀
What a unique and lovely Christmas tree! Thanks for taking us on this virtual tour, Marian! Was the antique nativity ornament also part of their Christmas tree decorations?
I’m glad you enjoyed the tour around the tree. The nativity ornament is ours. You may have noticed that Mary and Joseph are missing from the scene. They somehow “disappeared” over the years of taking down, putting up, and hanging around in the attic. Ha! Merry Christmas to you, Hardy, and family this blessed season. 😀
I do want to add that I wish you and Cliff and your near and dear ones a wonderful Christmas!🎄
Thank you, dear Elfrieda!
I’m a fan of the lemon–the real deal. I hope my days with my son and our 5 dogs feel more like sweet pineapple and Christmas ornaments. I’m making our favorite dessert, so that will cheer us up. Christmas Blessings to you, Cliff, and your family.
Elaine, I’m curious what you favorite dessert is. I expect we may see the answer in a future blog post. I’m cheered thinking you will be enjoying your son and pets on Christmas day! 😀
Hi Marian, what a wonderful tree. Thank you for sharing about it, I thought of lovely holidays we’ve had in Cape Town. Merry Christmas.
I know you like creative, offbeat ideas, so I’m not surprised this tree appealed to you. Merry Christmas, Robbie, to you and yours! 😀
As a fellow Florida resident, I enjoyed the tropical themed tree! Thank you Marian. Boy, I fell in love with the Manta Ray-adorable! Like yours, our tree remains more traditional, but I do have a sand dollar on it. 🙂 For me, bringing smiles is a big reason for putting up a Christmas tree. I know I smile every time I walk by ours. It’s just a symbol of the season that makes my heart feel good. Merry Christmas Marian and Cliff! ♥
Melanie, I too like the shape and texture of the sand dollar. The lines radiating from the center remind me of a star, like the Star of Bethlehem.
We live in a weary world and for one month out of the year the tree is a visible reminder of joy, nestled in a niche beside our fireplace. Your comment is a rich reminder of this. Joy and peace to you and yours in this season! 😀
Wise words Marian. 🤗
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That is a beautiful tree, thoughtfully decorated. I am impressed. Our tree, while lovely, is more of a hodgepodge of this and that… although now that I think on it all the colors are bold &/or shiny. No pastels or neutrals for us!
Merry Christmas, Marian.
Ally, you are not a vanilla-type person, so I can imagine a bold and shiny, not neutral palette. Our tree too is a hodgepodge and it looks the same every year with some straw ornaments from a friend years and years ago + more recently a pair of shiny red shoes.
Merry Christmas Eve Eve on December 23! 😀
If I vacationed (or lived) in FL I’d have a seashell Christmas tree as well. These ornaments are so beautiful. I celebrate sun and surf and sand and jealously say – MERRY CHRISTMAS, my friend.
I love your honesty (ha ha!) and of course your excellent good wishes. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOOOO TOOOO!
Hi,
The tree is awesome. I know it took her some time to decorate it. It is always amazing to me that it is warm in some areas of the world while here where I live it is cold. Thank you for sharing the lovely pictures.
Have a Merry Christmas and a blessed crossover into 2022.
Shalom aleichem
Factoring in the time difference, you will be reading this on Christmas day, so “Merry Christmas, dear Pat!” Yes, I remember Christmases in Pennsylvania where the weather is much like Germany’s, cold and sometimes snowy. I miss the snow but find where we live now good for my old bones – ha!
I like that you mentioned 2022 as a bridge from the old to the new. Time for a fresh start.
Enjoy this day whatever it will bring, and I’ll see you again in the new year. 😀
I love the fish! Ornaments are such a fun and feasible way to buy souvenirs and bring back memories from around the world. If I had – or put out – a normal-sized Christmas tree, I would collect ornaments during all our travels and put those in the tree, each December. The perfect holiday cheer. No celebrating in our household this year, Marian, but we will enjoy some relaxation, a drink or two, and a tasty meal. Merry Christmas to you and Cliff! Xxx
I’m happy to see you here but sad about your recent string of challenges. You and Mark remain on my prayer card; I am hopeful your fortunes will change as they always do.
No need for a tree with ornaments from your travels. Your journals & diary take care of that very, very well. The best of wishes for the New Year. In the meantime, enjoy a Merry Christmas relaxing with with Maya and Mark. 😀
Thanks a lot for your valuable and valued friendship, dear Marian. Merry Christmas! Xxx
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Thank you for sharing this beautiful Florida tree, Marian. Like yours, ours is a collection of memories, starting with a plastic toy from my first baby’s mobile, well over 45 years ago, and including children’s handmade ornaments, some we’ve collected from our many travels, kids and grandkids photos, antiques from our mothers’ and aunt’s collections, many Nativity ornaments, and some I’ve received at ornament exchange parties. Next year, we’ll get a second tree. Your niece’s Florida tree gave me some ideas for next year, too. Now all we need is room for two or three Christmas trees. My husband will be thrilled.
Your Christmas tree sounds like a visual memoir, a historical collection of special objects. Heidi would be thrilled to know that her tree sparked some ideas for your own, Patty. 😀
Such beautiful ornaments. And why not use beachy things for Christmas in a warm climate? Happy holiday season to you and hubby. <3
I wonder if you are still planning a vacation in the tropics this January. I hope so. Thanks for checking in today with such good wishes. Thank you, Debby! 😀
I certainly am. As long as there is a plane flying out, I’ll be on it. 🙂
Yay!
That’s just so beautiful and original! Hope you all had a very happy Christmas and I wish you all the best for 2022. Happy New Year! 🍾🥂🎊
Yes, we DID have a happy Christmas, which is continuing with a visit from author Shirley Showalter, who often comments here. All the best for you in the new year for you, Maria! 😀
I’m late again!…What a fabulous tree, so pretty…I love it!…I can also picture your red shoes hanging on your tree…Mine is old fashioned with ornaments from around the world and ones made by the children which I treasure… they come out every year and now I can tell the stories as every ornament has its own little story to Lily as we decorate the tree…Mine is tree of memories and old fashioned… I guess…I hope you had a fabulous Christmas, Marian and have a wonderful New Year 🙂 x
Like you, I value old-fashioned trees that tell stories and recall memories. Our tree features the very same ornaments as it did when our kids still lived at home. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t want to collect more stuff. I made an exception for the shiny red shoes though.
Yes, we enjoyed Christmas with family and I wish you a very happy New Year, Carol! 😀
Likewise, Marian I have ones they made at nursery school and treasure them they have come with me everywhere I have travelled..I don’t blame you for making an exception for red shoes…Thank you for the New Year wishes I hope your is a fabulous one 🙂 x
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HI Marian – I enjoyed these ornaments. Is that a real lemon? It’s fun to see all these tropical ones – we have the standard snowmen, angels, gingerbread men, etc. Thanks for sharing them – hope you had a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year!
All the ornaments are artificial, but Heidi has real lemons in Homosassa. There are lemons all over Jacksonville. We have grapefruit and 3 tiny limes.
Yes, and to you a very happy 2022: more books, more interviews and to more engaging YouTube videos, Barbara! 😀