1. The Weather Stays Wild, So People Do Too
While much of the U.S. is hunkered down under a cozy blanket of snow, Florida’s "chilly" December often hovers around 70°F. It’s not exactly "stay inside" weather. Instead, it’s perfect for shirtless mischief.
Example: In 2019, a Florida man was spotted paddleboarding in a full Santa suit, delivering "presents" (actual coconuts) to surprised beachgoers. One witness said, "He said he was on vacation from the North Pole. I’m pretty sure he’s from Tampa."
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2. Christmas Lights Bring Out the Petty Crimes
Holiday lights and lawn decorations are like catnip for Florida Man. All those twinkling lights and giant inflatable Santas practically scream, "Steal me or wrestle me." Every year, news outlets report on Florida Men (and Women) doing battle with Christmas decor.
Example: A man in Key West was arrested after "borrowing" his neighbor’s 10-foot-tall inflatable Frosty the Snowman and parading it down Duval Street. When questioned, he allegedly said, "Frosty’s had enough of the suburbs."
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3. Santa Suits Are Basically Florida Man’s Uniform
When the calendar hits December, Florida Man’s attire gets festive. The Santa suit becomes a badge of honor, a uniform of chaos. Whether he’s riding a bicycle, robbing a Wawa, or doing donuts in a Walmart parking lot, the Santa suit makes it funnier. And Florida Man loves a good laugh (and a dare).
Example: In 2020, a man in a Santa suit was arrested for riding a golf cart on I-95. He claimed he was "delivering joy," but the officer’s bodycam caught him telling drivers to "honk if you’ve been naughty."
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4. Holiday Stress Hits Different in Florida
For some, the holidays are a peaceful time of reflection. For Florida Man, it’s a high-pressure season to "get things done." Sometimes, this leads to questionable decision-making.
Example: In 2021, a man was caught "stealing Christmas" by attempting to load an entire 7-foot artificial Christmas tree into his convertible — roof down, of course. When police arrived, he was "still attempting to make it fit" and refused to abandon the mission.
Another "holiday meltdown" occurred at a Florida Home Depot, where a man allegedly threw a pre-lit Christmas tree through the store’s front window after learning it "wasn’t on sale yet." Witnesses described him as "very jolly, but not in the right way."
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5. Wildlife Loves Christmas, Too
It’s not just Florida Man causing Christmas chaos — Florida’s wildlife gets in on it too. From iguanas falling out of trees to gators in swimming pools, Florida’s natural world has a habit of making holiday headlines.
Example: In 2018, a man in Naples woke up to find an alligator lounging in his front yard Christmas display. It knocked over Rudolph and was "entangled in the string lights," according to local reports. The man’s quote to police? "I’m not sure if he’s part of the nativity or just confused."
Another famous moment came when an iguana caused a short circuit that knocked out power to a whole neighborhood’s Christmas lights. The local news headline? "Iguana Ruins Christmas (and Nobody’s Surprised)."
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6. "Florida Man" is Just a Click Away
Florida’s unique public records laws make it easy for journalists to access arrest records and police reports. This means every holiday "incident" involving Florida Man can make headlines within hours. If Florida’s laws weren’t so transparent, many of these wild stories would stay local lore. Instead, they become viral hits.
So, Why Is Florida Man Extra Weird Around Christmas?
The truth is, it’s a combination of perfect weather, too much free time, holiday stress, and Florida’s love of spectacle. When you add inflatable reindeer, gators, and the state’s legendary "anything goes" vibe, you get a holiday season like no other.
So next time you see a headline that starts with "Florida Man" and ends with "Santa suit," "paddleboard," or "Rudolph theft," just remember — it’s not Florida being Florida. It’s Florida being extra Florida, and that’s the best gift of all.
Call to Action (CTA) Want more bizarre tales from the Sunshine State? Check out our Weird Florida blog series and stock up on quirky Florida-inspired gifts from Unlawful Threads. From sarcastic mugs to hilarious Florida-themed shirts, you’ll find something for every Florida fanatic in your life. Don’t forget to share this blog with your friends so they know what not to do this Christmas season!