The Holiday Spirit Begins the Moment You Enter One of These Festive Airports
Ice Rinks and Holiday Music Abound
NOVEMBER 2024
Rooted in Ancient Traditions
Christmas decorations go back many centuries and not surprisingly they are deeply rooted within ancient traditions and religious symbolism. The first Christmas celebrations were likely marked by evergreen plant derived decorations. These would include such things as holly, ivy, and mistletoe, all of which convey the idea of eternal life and were believed to be spiritually beneficial. The tradition of decorating with greenery was especially popular in medieval Europe, and by the 16th century, the first Christmas trees started to appear mainly in Germany. These trees were typically adorned with candles, representing the light of Christ.
The Familiar Tradition of Hanging Stockings
Then, during the 19th century, Christmas decorations became somewhat more intricate and elaborate. The familiar tradition of hanging stockings and decorating with ornaments made of blown glass emerged in Victorian England. Glassblowers in Germany and the Czech Republic created delicate, brightly colored ornaments that were indeed highly sought after, and by the mid-1800s, they were being exported across the globe.
Decorations Vary Dramatically
In the United States, Christmas decorations also started becoming widespread around the mid-1800s. Later into the 20th century, the convenient availability of electric lights transformed Christmas decorating forever, making decorations readily accessible and commonplace. Today, decorative items vary dramatically from very simple, homemade creations to elaborately complex displays of lights, ornaments, and even inflatables, presenting a mix of popular cultural holiday traditions and modern-day consumerism. Interestingly, many airports today embrace the holiday spirit by going all-out with elaborate and impressively festive decorations.
Beautiful Menorahs
From those who rarely travel to the most ardent frequent traveler, flying has become all too often an uncomfortable and stress-filled experience. Yet, during the holiday season, there can be found at some airports a jolly and festive holiday spirit for all to enjoy. In fact, some airports take holiday cheer to amazing heights. From elaborate and expertly decorated Christmas trees to beautiful menorahs and winter displays, in some cities, an otherwise routine and humdrum airport travel experience is quickly transformed into a fun and exciting journey.
Christmas Markets
Imagine arriving at the airport to discover a bustling Christmas market or perhaps even an ice-skating rink. Even better, how about signs announcing flights available to the “North Pole.” We looked at a few American West Coast cities, including San Francisco Airport (SFO) and San Diego International Airport (SAN), and found that the holiday spirit is alive and well at even the most congested and most traveled airports across the country.
Richly Adored Christmas Lights
At the San Diego International Airport (SAN), a main travel hub located in beautiful Southern California, where the weather is perfect year-round, Christmas decorations greet travelers beginning at the ticket counter and carry on all the way to the departure gates. Expect to see lovely palm trees with richly adored Christmas lights winding all the way up their trunks. The airport features an abundance of custom wreaths. There is even an occasional Christmas tree made entirely of poinsettias.
Holiday Musicians
The San Diego airport has a proud holiday tradition of decorating with literally thousands of tiny festive holiday lights. The cheer does not stop there; it includes many creative touches, such as therapy dogs and a host of holiday musicians on site for all to enjoy. Traveling through San Diego during the holiday season is clearly an uplifting experience that should not be missed.
Unique Gift-Wrapping Stations
Equally impressive is the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with its unique gift-wrapping stations. Many who have traveled in and out of San Francisco’s airport over the years during the holidays enjoy the convenience of having gifts wrapped while waiting for their flight to depart. The airport is generously decorated in traditional holiday spirit and features a host of the Bay areas most noted musicians, playing holiday favorites throughout Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Dozens of Large Christmas Trees Line the Roads
The airport has, in the past, featured well-known musicians, including harpist Naomi Hoffmeyer, the Golden Gate Bellringers, and guitarist Tommy Guerrero, to name but a few. Whether getting there by Uber, bus, taxi, or simply parking in the long-term garage, arrival at the San Francisco International Airport during the holiday season is a wonderful experience. Dozens of large Christmas trees line the roads leading into the airport. When it comes to West Coast holiday cheer at the airport, San Francisco clearly takes the lead.
Fantasy Flights That Are Seasonal in Nature
Beyond the West Coast of the United States, there are many other unique holiday themed airports and airlines. For example, United Airlines makes available to passengers, fantasy flights that are seasonal in nature. For more than three decades, the airline has offered families with children that have life threatening illnesses a unique holiday experience that includes a fantasy flight to the North Pole. This outreach of goodwill exemplifies the true spirit of the holiday season.
Hand Blown Glass Ornaments and Holiday Wine
At the Munich International Airport (MUC), travelers will discover an incredible array of large Christmas markets as well as a fully functional ice-skating rink. The markets feature a wide variety of local artists’ holiday crafts as well as hand blown glass ornaments and holiday wine. This, combined with festive live music as well as magic shows, face painting, and an occasional glimpse of a real-life Santa, make this a great place to transit while traveling during the holidays.
Impressive Decorative Greenery
Not surprisingly, there are a host of companies today that offer a wide range of airport centric type holiday decoration services. For example, one company called Rent-A-Christmas assists airports with erecting holiday displays that are beyond compare. Creating a warm and festive environment with elaborate holiday decorations is what the company does best. Giant Christmas trees and impressive decorative greenery, including wreaths and garland, as well as ornaments and lights, are typically offered. Hanukkah decor, figurines, props, and many other types of custom decorations are readily available through this innovative company.
A Pilot or a Flight Attendant
Another company with a custom twist on holiday cheer is called Airportag.com. The company offers a variety of unique aviation themed holiday ornaments. Whether you are a traveler or an aviation employee like a pilot or a flight attendant, these festive decorations are perfect as a gift or simply to show one’s cheerful spirit during the holiday season. From elaborate and interactive airport decorations to simple ornaments, the possibilities are endless when travelers and those working for the airlines embrace the spirit of the holidays.
Positive Social Interactions
The holiday time of year provides many well-defined benefits for both mental and physical health, serving as a natural stress reliever. For example, a much-needed hiatus from work and the daily grind affords much-needed rest, promoting relaxation and recovery. Spending time with loved ones enriches social connections, reducing a sense of loneliness while elevating mood. Positive social interactions and shared holiday cheer typically triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone that is known to alleviate stress.
Where Gratitude is Cultivated
Finally, engaging in holiday traditions, from seasonal cooking to decorating and participating in festive activities, increases feelings of purpose and contentment. The holidays also encourage reflection, promoting a time of pause, where intentions can be contemplated and where gratitude is cultivated. All this has been shown to improve mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Though the holiday season is a busy time, consciously embracing a spirit of joy, kindness, and relaxation clearly lowers stress levels, increases happiness, and supports total wellness.
A Moment to Pause and Enjoy
Because so many people routinely travel during the holiday season, being greeted by beautiful airport holiday decorations helps to get the times of cheer rolling as travelers fly to visit friends, family, and loved ones across the country and around the world. In this upcoming holiday season, take a moment to pause and truly enjoy all that these airports have made available to travelers, effectively taking the holiday spirit to the next level. Happy landings and happy holidays from your friends at Aviation Property Network (APN).
