9 Holiday Staples You'll Need to Survive Christmas In Hawaii
By Megan Shute|Published December 05, 2017
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
When you think of a traditional holiday season, the Hawaiian Islands are probably the last place to cross your mind. Not only will you only see snow if you head to the summit of Mauna Kea but we do Christmas a little bit different around here. After all, in Hawaii, Santa Claus doesn’t arrive in a sleigh pulled by reindeer but instead visits Hawaii in an outrigger canoe. Whether you’ve lived in Hawaii your entire life, you’ve just moved to the islands, or you’re simply planning an island getaway for the holidays, there are a few things you should have if you want to survive Christmas in Hawaii.
What’s Christmas without carols? And what’s Christmas in Hawaii without traditional Hawaiian Christmas songs, like Bing Crosby’s Mele Kalikimaka and these other classics.
2. Last-minute gifts, like Kona coffee or chocolate-covered macadamia nuts.
You never know who is going to invite you to a holiday party, or who might give you an unexpected gift. If you have Hawaii favorites on hand, like a bottle from Volcano Winery or some Manoa Chocolates, you’ll never be unprepared.
It's a Hawaii Christmas tradition! You won’t have to worry about your sandman melting, though you might have to worry about your creation being swept away by the tide…
This is a given any time of year, but we suggest having a fabulous holiday dish on standby during the holidays. In our house, I always have sugar cookie ingredients on hand during the holidays, and if I know I’m attending a potluck, I slave over a batch of homemade Swedish meatballs, one of my grandma’s specialties.
It doesn’t feel like Christmas when it’s 80 degrees outside, does it? Every once in awhile during the holidays, it’s fun to crank the air conditioning and enjoy a mug of warm hot chocolate. If you don't have A/C at home, head to the movies!
No one likes going to the post office around Christmas — especially for something as simple as picking up flat-rate boxes or stamps. I always have a stash on hand during the holidays to send cards and gifts to everyone I know back on the mainland.
7. A Norfolk Pine or palm tree decked out in holiday lights.
While traditional Christmas trees are stunning, we’re partial to Norfolk Pines and palm trees covered in twinkling lights. There’s truly no better way to celebrate the season in Hawaii.
Did you know that poinsettias can grow as tall as trees in Hawaii and that they bloom near December 25? While these gorgeous plants might be absolutely necessary, they add a bit of much-needed holiday cheer to our home and can make that Christmas stress melt away, if only for a moment or two.
Because we want to be festive AND still enjoy our days off at the beach. Plus, this guy looks pretty cool.
What other things do you need to survive during a Hawaiian Christmas? May your holiday season be full of Christmas spirit, surfing Santas, and plenty of eggnog! Mele Kalikimaka, Hawaii!
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