Holiday Magic in the Naturehood
This month marks the most wonderful time of the year — a season for gathering with the people we hold dear, exchanging gifts, and, no matter your age, pausing your daily routine for a bit of magic.
And we think there’s no better place to soak in that magic than right here at home.
If you’re looking for a new home for the holidays — and a place to put down long-term roots — we’ve got plenty of reasons why Sunbridge might be the perfect fit.
Magical Properties
Like many places in Florida (a state surrounded on three sides by an ocean and a gulf), water plays a central role in our story. The marshes and wetlands around Sunbridge help filter and protect the water that flows into our lakes, rivers and eventually the Everglades. They basically act like one giant, built-in BRITA filter for the whole state. They support biodiversity, shape our scenery and influence how our community will grow in the future.
If you already live here, or plan to, this holiday season is a great time to connect with our not-for-profit partner, the Florida Headwaters Association. They offer eco-tours and hands-on learning experiences that help build awareness and appreciation for our region’s waters.
The Ten-Minute Rule
A guiding idea behind Sunbridge’s development is something we call the Ten-Minute Rule. The idea is simple: within ten minutes of stepping out your front door, you can find yourself fully immersed in nature. And we’re not talking about a lone tree next to a retention pond, we’re talking oak hammocks, deer sightings and enough birdsong that you won’t even think about earbuds.
The holidays are a great time to see what this looks like in real life:
• Easy family walks after big meals (we think this beats falling asleep on the couch watching football)
• Quick nature breaks between gatherings (or as gatherings)
• Stress relief between holiday shopping trips (yes, even the “add to cart” online kind)
Spend the Holidays…Outside
Central Florida conjures up a snowbird’s idea of Christmas: strings of LEDs draped between sabal palms, knit caps swapped for flip-flops and plenty of sunshine while the rest of the country is busy shoveling snow. Sunbridge offers its own version of that Floridian holiday postcard — with an outdoor twist.
Here, you can break through cabin fever with miles of trails for biking, hiking and running, plus a full season of outdoor events like Yoga on the Green and Movies on the Lawn.
Holiday shopping…outside!
Last-minute shoppers and professional procrastinators, this is your moment. Swing by this month’s Farmers Market for all things local, tasty and totally one-of-a-kind.
Stargazing
Once summer humidity takes a break and cooler evenings return, Sunbridge becomes a great place for winter stargazing. Even though we’re only 15 minutes from the Orlando airport, you’ll find plenty of open sky once you’re on our trails or in conservation areas.
Lower light interference makes constellations easier to spot. This time of year offers clearer skies, longer nights and some of the year’s most recognizable constellations. Taurus, Orion, Gemini – oh my!
Not sure what to look for? Be sure to check out resources like the Central Florida Astronomical Society (CFAS) Facebook page and their stargazing tips.
Turn Your Yard Into a Native Habitat
Holiday mirth and New Year’s resolutions are like two wings of the same turtle dove. If you want to jump-start next year with a unique and meaningful resolution, look no further than your own backyard — or even your front yard!
• Plant a native tree or wildflower patch
• Swap part of your turf lawn for native groundcover
• Add a bird bath, bee hotel or pollinator house
• Create small “rewilding” moments in your yard
Did you know? Planting native has always been part of the Sunbridge M.O. Now, we’ve been officially recognized by Hometown National Park as the nation’s first Hometown National Park Community. Residents can access tools like an interactive biodiversity map, plant guides, water-saving tips and more.
Our #Naturehood is Your #Naturehood
We like to think our Naturehood makes the holidays brighter, calmer and a little extra magical. But, it does the same thing the other 11 months, too.
Already living here? Share your most festive holiday photos from around the #Naturehood. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram!
Thinking about moving to Sunbridge? Visit us at Basecamp and see for yourself what makes our Naturehood such a great place to call home.
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