Winter in Florida, Really?: Survival Guide

“Photo Courtesy of Flickr”

Although we haven’t seen much winter action in the last few years, Florida can get chilly. We may not have below freezing temperatures, ice, and snow, but we do have the cool breeze from the gulf and bay. It isn’t until January and February that we may see the thermostats drop, and it’s wise to be prepared since most Floridian’s have flip flops, tank tops, and shorts occupying the majority of their closet space.

Here are some Do’s and Don’ts for a fabulous Florida winter:

Do: Stock up on light weight, long sleeve shirts.

Don’t: Get rid of all of your summer wear. You’ll likely still need it throughout the winter months.

Do: Snatch up a few cute sweaters, quilted vests, fleece hoodies, and knit ponchos (Check out Old Navy for cute knit ponchos at a reasonable price).

Do: Head to the Eckerd College Bookstore or prepsportswear.com and buy a few Eckerd College sweatshirts.

Don’t: Over-do it with heavy winter coats, scarfs, long johns, or ski caps. You just won’t get your money’s worth down here.

Do: Have colorful and fashionable scarfs and hats as well as one or two stylish (but not too heavy) jackets. Old Navy and Target are great for the latest styles.

Aside from your wardrobe, there are other ways to make this winter in Florida a great one.

Go camping: Pick one of the many awesome spots that we have to choose from. Fort Desoto Park for starters. The water front camp ground is minutes from the Eckerd campus. Check their website for details and availability. Be sure to pack for warm days and cool nights.

“Photo Courtesy of Life123 Website”

Partake in a bonfire: Many of the area beaches do this on the weekend. Better yet, there is one on November 18 at the Postcard Inn on St. Pete Beach. There will also be live music.

No matter how you choose to spend the winter, be glad you’re here and not up north holding a snow shovel!