Shop local this holiday season by browsing Florida-centric gifts that, in some cases, also support good causes.
The Sunshine State offers goods that support the Save the Manatee Club, Surfing Santas T-shirts and hats and ResortPass gift cards to help sponsor a loved one’s sun-soaked getaway at one of Florida’s hotels.
Buying a manatee calendar is one way to support the Save the Manatee Club this holiday season. (Courtesy Save the Manatee Club)
Save the Manatee Club
Since its founding in 1981 by the late former Gov. Bob Graham and the late singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, the Save the Manatee Club has worked tirelessly to protect Florida’s beloved sea cows.
This shows up through advocacy efforts at the state, federal and local level with legal action, plus manatee rescue and rehabilitation, public awareness and education and manatee research. This is especially important as manatees face threats from a loss of seagrass, collisions with boats and cold stress.
It’s possible to support the club through volunteering and other actions, donations or through the Adopt-A-Manatee program, which allows people to symbolically sponsor an individual named manatee, complete with a certificate of adoption and a biography. Save the Manatee Club also offers an online shop, which supports the organization’s efforts.
Buying a hanging wooden suncatcher handcrafted of longleaf pine by artist Jon Rummel of Southern Hotpine Creations is one way to support the Save the Manatee Club this holiday season. (Courtesy Save the Manatee Club)
Calendars are among the more popular items in the store, plus manatee T-shirts, stickers, tote bags, puzzles, hats, children’s books and plush dolls.
Other unique offerings include:
Hanging wooden suncatcher with manatees, handcrafted and carved from longleaf pine by artist Jon Rummel – $55
SPF performance hooded long-sleeve shirt for wearing during outside activities – $45
Mama and calf necklace made of polished sterling silver – $40
“God Bless You Little One…” manatee print 24″x18″ – $30
Pathfinders porcelain manatee ornament – $17
Visit shop.savethemanatee.org to browse and buy, or visit savethemanatee.org to learn more about the club, make a donation or adopt a manatee.
Surfing Santas returns to the Space Coast on Dec. 24, but fans of the annual event can also purchase merchandise including a tie dye T-shirt. (Fish Studio Photography/Courtesy Surfing Santas)
Surfing Santas merchandise
Since 2009, Surfing Santas has brought festive surfers to Cocoa Beach on the morning of Dec. 24, giving festive Floridians a place to celebrate the Sunshine State’s mild winters during the holiday season.
The first year included just a few relatives of founder George Trosset, who continued the annual tradition and helped grow the event to include hundreds of surfers and spectators.
Through the event, Trosset and his team of elves have raised tens of thousands of dollars for the nonprofit Grind for Life, which financially supports cancer patients facing travel, lodging and other bills, and the Florida Surf Museum.
Surfing Santas returns to the Space Coast on Dec. 24, but fans of the annual event can also purchase merchandise, including a Surfing Santa toy. (Fish Studio Photography/Courtesy Surfing Santas)
The event returns to the stretch of shoreline directly behind Coconuts on the Beach at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 24. For those who can’t make the event or want to get prepared for the annual celebration, or for those who wish to send gifts to out-of-state friends and relatives, Surfing Santas offers T-shirts, hats and other merchandise.
Shirts range from $29.99-$39.99, while hats cost $34.99 each. For the kids, a toy Surfing Santa is available for $29.99.
Explore the shop at shopsurfingsantas.org and learn more about the event at surfingsantas.org.
ResortPass offers locals and tourists a chance to explore pools and amenities, complete with poolside drinks, at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Resort Pass
While hotel spas, pools and other amenities have typically been exclusive for overnight guests, Resort Pass offers daytime access to more than 400 hotels and resorts in the Sunshine State.
Earlier this year, Miami came in as the company’s number one market and Orlando at number four with around 80 hotels.
ResortPass enables daytime access to 400 hotel pools, spas and amenities in Florida
The platform’s most popular option is for pool day passes, which start around $25 and can usually be found for under $75 each. Family passes are also available at many Orlando-area resorts, with included access for up to four people.
In addition to pool access, ResortPass also offers reserved cabanas and daybeds, spa treatments, day rooms, golf courses, pickleball courts and more amenities being added all the time.
Some of the resorts in Central Florida include the Hilton Orlando, Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, the Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort and the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center.
ResortPass offers locals and tourists a chance to explore the pools and lazy river at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lake. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
ResortPass gift cards help sponsor a day of relaxation for a loved one this holiday season. Gift cards are digital only, but can be printed and don’t have an expiration date. It’s also possible to book a specific day pass or spa treatment for someone else through ResortPass.
To browse options and purchase a gift card, visit resortpass.com.
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.