How Christmas Near the Beach Came to Be: Ho Ho OH, my Christmas Dream!

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Have you ever had a dream of doing something bigger than big? My theory is that it doesn’t cost any more to dream big, so I did.  Back in 2007, my husband came to me with an idea. “Why don’t you throw a party and make it the biggest Christmas party in South Florida!” Oh, yes and I only had 6 weeks until the show. We’d recently moved to South Florida. Back in Missouri, where we’d moved from, I was a DJ at a local radio station. I had my own show. Now in Florida I was “just a mom of 4.” The sunshine was a blessing, but the boredom of just a mom was killing my spirit.  Showtime!

I began dancing with a hip-hop dance crew and was also presenting as a mime at festivals. There in all those connections created my first entertainment crew. We put on a show and 300 people showed up! Our legacy began. Year after year our show started to grow and quickly our venue of the Bandshell on the beach was bounced to the 10 acre Arts Park and 60-foot stage in Downtown Hollywood, Florida. Christmas ON the Beach changed to Christmas NEAR the Beach.

A dream. An idea. A reality! St. Nick’s Beach House was created for families to explore what his house might look like in Florida, then right around from the corner and the 40 foot Christmas tree, the free photo with the jolly ole elf himself. Choirs, bands, drama, ballet and even a rollerblading Grinchy to entertain the crowd. (Truth be known, I’m Grinchy. I skate and do simple tricks on stage and I am the mime!)       

Christmas is a magical time of year. We were looking for that “hometown” feel we’d love in our little town of 81 people back in Missouri. Yes, we moved from a town of 81 people to the crazy multi-cultural city of Hollywood Florida. I’d produced shows and events back in our town and dreamed big in the Sunshine state!

Our show now has thousands attend each year. It’s become a HOMETOWN tradition for South Florida. Vendors, Food Trucks, variety show and a free photo with St. Nick himself! He’s the real guy with a real beard! And new to our event this year is a “DIAPER DRIVE .”

*Note the tiny bare feet… Hey! it’s South Florida where shoes are always an option.*

What are you dreaming about these days? Where are you being pulled to shine your gifts and talents? If the idea keeps coming back over and over like you’re pushing a beach ball underwater and it won’t stay down… go for it!  We’re moms, but we’re also a package of gifts and talents beyond motherhood. My first job is wife and mother. My second calling is to follow the passions I have for life. Discover your passions and then put them into action. Begin small, then see how it grows! Keep in mind, if one thing doesn’t click, change. Your success isn’t determined by the world. You’re a winner because you’re a mom. All the rest is glitter on your life!

Join me Saturday, December 14th from 4pm – 9pm, at the Arts Park at Young Circle Hollywood, Florida. Bring a lawn chair for grass seating. Bring a smile for St. Nick. Bring and enjoy with the entire family our variety show!  

A NEW Christmas Tradition… Christmas Near The Beach!

www.christmasnearthebeach.com for all the information.

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Deena McDaniel
Coach Deena has been teaching fitness since 1991 and currently is also a dance instructor at Starlight Theater Company. As a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, she and her husband of thirty-two years are those extreme football fans you hear about. Boomer Sooner! Deena’s a brand-new grandmother and wait till you hear how this granny is taking life by the “horns down.” She’s a stay at home mom, who has homeschooled all four of their children. She’s excited to share her granny knowledge and teenage drama secrets to help you get through life. Deena McDaniel is the creator founder of Christmas Near The Beach, a premier Christmas show in Hollywood, Florida (Est. 2007). In 1996, Deena began writing her weekly column Positively Beautiful, which is published in a local Missouri paper and more recently in a blog form on Facebook. Her background includes TV commercial production, Evening News promotion and hosting her own radio request show, “Sunday Drive.” She has a passion for fitness. It has been a life long adventure, from bodybuilding to mime ministry you’ll see this mom of four teaching fitness of almost any style. She and her family are active members at Palm Vista Community Church in Miami Lakes, Florida. “Remember you’re never able to quit the job of motherhood, rather the dynamics keep changing and your employment is for life.”- Coach Deena

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