I’ll admit, when I discovered the United States has not one, but three places actually named Christmas, I got excited. Visions of charming main streets dusted with snow, twinkling lights strung between Victorian lampposts, maybe a cozy café serving hot cocoa danced through my head. A real-life Christmas town! I was in Christmas-fantasy heaven.
Reality check: one’s a swamp, one’s a ghost town, and only one even pretends to deliver a winter vibe.
Let me introduce you to America’s most misleadingly named destinations.
Christmas, Florida — Where Santa Sweats
Picture this: alligators, humidity thick enough to swim through, and temperatures that laugh at the concept of winter. Even though Christmas, Florida sits about 40 miles east of DisneyWorld, it only has about 2,000 residents. It’s a place where the closest thing to snow is the ice in your sweet tea or the magical “snoap” (soap snow) at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Bless their hearts, the town does try. Fort Christmas Historic Park offers year-round holiday decorations, and folks from around the country mail cards here for the novelty postmark. But let’s be honest—any Santa visiting this place trades his sleigh for an airboat and his red velvet suit for moisture-wicking fabric.
Christmas, Arizona — The Ghost of Christmas Past
Christmas, Arizona started as a mining town on Christmas Day. Now it’s mostly a ghost town. And I mean that almost literally.
No snow. No twinkle lights. Just desert, tumbleweeds, and abandoned buildings that make you wonder if anyone’s home. (They’re not). This Christmas town will have you half expecting a tumbleweed to roll past singing “Silent Night” in a minor key.
Tourists still visit for the name alone, but they don’t stay long. Can’t imagine why.
Christmas, Michigan — The Overachiever
Finally, a Christmas town that actually looks like Christmas. Sitting along Lake Superior, this tiny town might only have about 200 residents, but it delivers snow, pine trees, and a giant Santa statue that’s seen better days but still stands proud.
This is the Christmas your grandmother would approve of. The kind where you need actual mittens, where your breath makes little clouds, and where hot cocoa isn’t just decorative—it’s survival. Of the three Christmases, this one comes closest to delivering on the fantasy.
The Real Gift
Despite their wildly different personalities, all three Christmases share something special—curiosity and joy, just because they exist. Whether you prefer your holidays hot, cold, or somewhere between festive and haunted, there’s a Christmas waiting for you. Just maybe check the weather forecast first.
If you enjoyed this week’s Friday Morning Post, please leave a comment with your time on the puzzle. I’d also love to hear your thoughts on the post! Thanks for being here!
See all my Friday Morning Posts here. If you missed last week’s post, you can use this link to view Christmas Markets.
7:26 I understand why you would discontinue this post as I’m sure you have a lot of time invested in it; however, please know that I’ll miss it and that I’ve enjoyed all the posts that you’ve shared since I joined. All the best in the years to come. Thank you.
15.59 Beautiful scene.
Thank you for making my Fridays more cheerful and active for the mind! I will miss your posts and puzzles. Alas, we all grow weary over time. But know that you have made a positive difference in people’s lives with your posts and writing work! Blessings for your future!
6:59 for me. I have thoroughly enjoyed your Friday stories and puzzles and will miss them. But they are a lot of work for you! Happy Adventures to you and your wife on whatever you decide to do!
9:50 a very slow time for me too. Thanks for the Friday jigsaw puzzles Terry. I really enjoyed doing them, even if I prefer to take my time and not rush.
My time was 8:32. What a wonderful Christmas puzzle scene. Amazing story about the Christmas towns USA. I am going to miss the puzzle and stories. I wish you all the best in your future travels and adventures!
Thanks for all your support, Puzzler! I appreciate it!
My time today was 5:48. It felt slow, like subconsciously I didn’t want this to be the last one! I’m going to miss your puzzles and interesting stories in my in-box every Friday. Best wishes to you and your wife in your upcoming adventures!
I know how you feel, Susan. I’ve certainly enjoyed bringing these to you, but at least for now, I need a break. Thanks for your support and Happy Holidays!
8:02 i took my time with this one, its my favorite one of the year, i just love it! thank you so much for all your hard work all year with the puzzles and newsletters and scam tips. and books! happy healthy 2026 to you and your family
Thank you, Kat. I’ve had a great time bringing these to you. Happy Holidays!