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Florida doesn’t do anything by the book -- that includes celebrating the holidays. So this season, WUSF is extolling all the ways to enjoy the holidays with a Florida twist... and we want your input.Tell us about your Florida holiday tradition. Does your family take part in a lighted boat parade, lace up for a jingle bell run or spend New Year’s Eve making sand sculptures?Then there are the decorations. Show us your seashell ornaments, palm trees wrapped in lights and flamingoes in Santa hats.We want your recipes, too. Do you dress your gingerbread men in Bermuda shorts or dip your latkes in Key lime jelly?And how to do show out-of-town guests a good time in the warm weather? Do you take them caroling down the beach or spend all eight nights of Hanukkah at Disney?Get creative. Share your photos, videos, recipes, tweets, memories, short essays and anything else that would make us say, “That’s so Florida!”Your submission might end up on wusfnews.org/floridaholidays... or even on the radio.Here are some ways to join the fun:Post a photo or short story on our wall at Facebook.com/WUSF.Send a tweet to @WUSF with the hashtag #floridaholidays.Leave a phone message for WUSF reporter/producer Dalia Colón at (813) 974-8636.Email Dalia at daliacolon@wusf.org.We’ll collect your submissions through Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. Check this blog daily for new content, and listen WUSF 89.7 through the end of the year to hear how your fellow Floridians celebrate the season.

Florida Holidays: Snow in Orlando

Who says there's no snow in Florida? Becky Wanamaker shared this story on WUSF's Facebook page.

Every December, our family drives to Orlando for a little winter wonderland fun at the Gaylord Palm's ICE! show.

We bundle up in those big heavy blue coats and marvel at the beautiful sculptures that created wonderful Christmas vignettes.

The kids (old and young) enjoy sliding down the ice slides. After we've had as much of the 9º temperature we can take, we head over to the atrium for some hot chocolate, conversation and entertainment.

As evening approaches, we head over to the Columbia Restaurant of Celebration for a delicious meal. spectacular sangria, decadent desserts and hot cafe con leche.

Once our bellies are full, we stroll over to Main Street so the kids can enjoy some Florida "snow." It is so much fun to watch the street fill with children, parents, grandparents and even pets as the snow begins to whirl around.

Although there are no snowball fights or snowmen, there are plenty of snow angels being made.

As we make our way back to our parking spot, we stop by the fountain and let the kids attempt to avoid getting wet as they race through the streams of water, never know when or where it will spout up next.

On drive the quiet dark drive home, we listen to A Prairie Home Companion's Christmas Special CD that we started on the drive over earlier in the day.

Scott Finn is a former news director at WUSF Public Media, which provides in-depth reporting for Tampa Bay and all of Florida.
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