"Christmas Across America" Christmas Parade Theme

By

melodybh

What about having the boys or the leaders dress up as Santa from different parts of the country: Texas Santa with Cowboy hat & boots, Hawaiian Santa with swim trunks and Leis (maybe a surfboard, too), a California Santa with sunglasses and summer clothes (shorts, etc.), New York Santa in designer wear, Iowa Santa in farm wear, etc. Use appropriate Santa colors, of course. Plays a bit to state/regional stereotypes but could look pretty good spaced out on a flatbed truck. Could add "trees" to go with each Santa: palm tree, saguaro (sp???) cactus, cornstalks, silver tinsel tree with old filmstrip garland (California), etc. Just let your imagination go wild! Extra boys could be in theme as elves or christmas treats (candy canes, cupcakes, sushi?, etc.) to go with each region.

By Lori (Guest Post)

How about a Hawaiian theme with a lit palm tree for a Christmas tree? There are lots of cheap summer luau items on clearance and one of your local churches may have used the Hawaiian theme for their summer VBS and have items you could use on your float. You could put Santa on a surfboard, etc. Good luck!

By

sandeec

For a New Mexico flair you can do luminaries They are brown paper bags filled with sand with a candle in the them. People in New Mexico decorate their yard with them. The history behind it was to make a path for mary and joesph on christmas.
Here is a link to a picture.
http://www.cancer.ca/files/ontario/ ... images/rfl_boyluminaries_highres.jpg

By

Tamisuemcp

Silver Bells, Macy's window - New York theme.
Oranges - Florida or California theme.
Christmas goose, sleigh bells - rural theme.
Sled, wagon, snowman,ice skates - kid theme.
Cookies, pies ,rolling pin - baking theme.
Real tree with popcorn stings, suet and birds.....wildlife theme.
Santa, Rudolph,stockings, boxes wrapped as presents....everywhere theme.
Nativity scene.

Just a few I could think of right off the bat....am sure there are plenty of others specific to regions as well. Could pick as many as you like or have space and time for.
Hope this helps.