Mai Thai Wanderings: Holiday Rituals

December 26, 2025

Holiday Rituals

I’m probably the worst person to look to for inspiration when it comes to holiday rituals. I’ve always been the family rebel—the one who manages to bend or outright break tradition 🙂. The only ritual my significant other and I truly stick to is Thanksgiving, celebrated on the last Thursday of November. It’s a major U.S. holiday when most companies shut down, making it easier for friends and families to gather no matter how far apart they live. Of course, the lure of Black Friday sales doesn’t hurt either.

That said, I’m deeply sentimental. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to capture countless photos and videos, preserving moments and memories that mean far more to me than any formal tradition. When we sold our house and moved aboard our boat, Mai Thai, we gave away many of our belongings—including Christmas ornaments, lights, and other decorations.

One thing I couldn’t part with, though, was my collection of shells. We are beach lovers, after all.

One of our favorite beaches is Fort De Soto in Tierra Verde, Florida. In 2005, Dr. Beach named Fort De Soto the number one beach in America—and that very same year, Mai Thai was docked at a marina in Tierra Verde. Being just minutes from the beach gave us endless opportunities to wander the shoreline, comb the sand for small treasures, slow down, and take in the natural beauty and abundant wildlife. The photos you see here were taken over the years at Fort De Soto, capturing the moments that continue to draw us back.

birds galore at the fishing pier

These sand dollars were collected over the years on Fort De Soto beach.

This year, those sand dollars have found new life as holiday ornaments, carrying both memories and meaning into the season. Even the captain joined in, adding a touch of nautical spirit along the way. I’m officially hooked—this just might become a new tradition.