In parts of America, families gather during the holidays and bundle up by the fire, content in their homes, protected from the freezing temperatures outside and the gentle falling snow that threatens to become violent.
But here in Southern California, residents often enjoy the holidays while strolling the beaches in flip-flops and seek refuge in their homes against the warm and dry Santa Ana winds, which is why Seaport Village is celebrating all that makes the holidays unique in San Diego with its second annual Deck the Palms celebration on Sunday, Dec. 2.
Seaport Village general manager Terry Hall said that last year’s inaugural event went without a hitch.
“It went really well,” Hall said. “It was really exciting. The weather cooperated perfectly. It was one of those gorgeous San Diego winter, bright, sunny days.”
Because of the elaborate Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies held at the Hotel del Coronado and the NBC building downtown overshadowing Seaport Village’s traditional tree lighting ceremony in the past, last year Hall decided to stray from the traditional and instead decorate palm trees.
“The businesses of Seaport Village each decorated a palm tree,” Hall explained.
Guests can once again view the elaborately decorated palms throughout Seaport Village, which also help to inform newcomers as to what is available in the Village’s shops.
In addition to the unique boutiques found at Seaport Village. the event will also feature holiday lights and decoration, an expanded kids craft area “” including last year’s successful seashell ornament decorating along with some new crafts “” as well as live rock and Calypso-styled holiday music playing throughout the day.
Back again this year is the award-winning sand sculptor and founder of Archisand, Greg LeBon, whose surfing sun sculpture was a big hit last year.
Santa will also make an appearance in true Southern California style, wearing festive board shorts and a rash guard, Hall said.
He’s sure to make a splash as he arrives by speedboat and parades through the Village with his surfboard handy for photos.
Another fun event is the Fruitcake Chuck-n-Hurl, a local charity fund-raiser where participants earn points for tossing fruitcakes into different-size trash cans.
Hall explained that the event stemmed from the fruitcake stereotype of being passed around year after year, without ever being eaten.
Last year’s Chuck-n-Hurl raised $1,000 for the Toussaint Academy of the Arts and Sciences, a licensed group home that serves homeless youth in San Diego County ages 14 to 17.
This year proceeds from the Chuck-n-Hurl will benefit the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation, whose mission is to break the cycle of child abuse through prevention, education, advocacy and funding.
Due to last year’s success, Hall said that this year donations will be accepted at all of the free activities at Deck the Palms.
Deck the Palms runs Sunday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Santa is scheduled to arrive around noon and will be available for photos until 4 p.m. Guests must provide their own camera and film.
All shops, restaurants and eateries will be open for holiday shopping and dining from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Seaport Village is located at West Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway, adjacent to Embarcadero Park North.
Visitors receive two hours of free validated parking with any purchase.
For more information visit www.seaportvillage.com or call (619) 235-4014.