All kinds of festive holiday events are happening this weekend near our Isle of Palms vacation rentals. Before I get to that, here’s a brief follow-up to that last blog. The holiday shopping season is fully upon us. We’ve made it through Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Seems as if they keep stretching out each one, making it last longer than ever. Companies were sending me Black Friday emails all the way through late Sunday!
The top retail place in SC is not far from our Isle of Palms vacation rentals
Well, the Lowcountry boasts the top retail place in the entire state. Technically, we’re talking about North Charleston. According to recent stats, it generates the most retail spending (gross sales) per year of any city in South Carolina. They’ve held the top spot for 25 years. Not only that, but they lead the way by a huge margin. I’m talking, a billion dollars worth of margin over #2 on the list. Here are last year’s leaders:
- North Charleston - $6.73 billion in gross sales
- Greenville - $5.95 billion
- Charleston - $5.59 billion
- Columbia - $5.27 billion
Neighboring Mount Pleasant brought in $2.14 billion. Read more about it HERE.
Time to light up Front Beach near our Isle of Palms vacation rentals
Help light the big tree near our Isle of Palms vacation rentals
In a true sign that the holiday season is fully upon us, it’s time once again for a grand island illumination. If you’d like to experience a little small town/island Christmas fun, this coming weekend is a beloved local tradition. It’s the annual Isle of Palms Holiday Street Festival and Tree Lighting, and it will be taking place this Saturday, December 2nd from 2:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. If you are heading into one of our SC vacation rentals – specifically one of our Isle of Palms luxury rentals - you might want to check it out. It’s about as local as you get. The fun happens at Front Beach on the IOP. There will be visits with the big guy in the red suit (aka Santa), carnival rides, jump castles, mechanical bull, balloon artist, face painting, restaurant and food specials from some great local establishments, photo booth, live music by the SIES Chorus (2:00 - 2:15 p.m.), Haley Mae Campbell (2:30 – 4:30), and Plane Jane (5:00 – 7:00). Santa will visit from 4:00 till 6:00. To top it all off, they’ll light the 24-foot tall Christmas tree and others at approximately 5:30 p.m. It’s all a stone’s throw from many of our beach house rentals Charleston SC. If you’re in a luxury house on Isle of Palms, you might just want to walk or head over on a golf cart and check it out. If you do decide to drive, the city provides free parking. Just head to the Municipal Lot on the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Pavilion Drive.
Cookie decorating for Santa or yourself
If you’ve got kids staying in your Charleston beach house in a couple weeks, there’s another fun holiday happening near our Isle of Palms vacation rentals. On Thursday, December 14th there will be cookie decorating for Santa. It takes place at 4:00 p.m. in the IOP Rec Center. Actually, it’s not just for kids - all ages are welcome. Elementary age kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no charge but you must preregister by this Wednesday, November 30th by calling the Isle of Palms Recreation Center at (843)886-8294. Here’s more: http://www.iop.net/family-events-activities
Celebrate things “Made in the South” near our Isle of Palms vacation rentals
The heyday of glossy magazines seems to have peaked a decade or two ago, and now so much of the industry has shifted online. Our home’s mailbox used to be full of them, along with mail order catalogs. The planet, and the postman’s back, seem to be pleased with the shift. There are a few old school magazines, though, that are bucking the trend. In fact, one of the biggest success stories in the magazine world is one that is based right here in Charleston. It’s Garden & Gun, and it’s one of the few I still subscribe to. It rarely disappoints. Garden & Gun covers southern life, style and culture, and its content is really terrific - with contributions from top writers and photographers. It really gives you a feel of what it is to live in what I consider to be the most beautiful, friendly, cool region in the world - the American South. They recently had the most fascinating article about the southern classic, “Steel Magnolias.” This year is the 30th anniversary of the original play, which was later made into the beloved movie. Garden & Gun’s take on the story behind it is definitely worth a read. 
Time for a G&G Jubilee near our Isle of Palms vacation rentals
Well, this weekend the good folks at Garden & Gun are hosting their 5th annual Jubilee - a massive celebration of the culture they chronicle so beautifully. It’s happening this Friday through Sunday, December 1st through the 3rd. It’s going on at a very cool venue - Charles Towne Landing, a historic state part west of the Ashley. Get set for great food and libations, music, stylish vendors, art, sport… in other words, everything good that’s “Made in the South.” For your GPS, the address is 1500 Old Towne Road in Charleston - an easy drive from all our luxury beach house rentals SC, especially if you happen to be staying in a Folly Beach house Charleston. Here’s the official website, where you can order tickets – either for general admission or for one or more of the special dinners they’re hosting: https://www.gardenandgunjubilee.com/ And remember to call EP when you’re looking for rental homes South Carolina; we can help place you in the very best beach rentals Charleston. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger