A Look Back at the 2025 Holiday Season!

As January starts winding down and life settles back into its usual rhythm, I’ve found myself reflecting on the holiday season we just left behind. There’s something about this time of year, when the decorations come down and routines return, that makes the memories feel even sweeter. This past holiday season felt full in the best way: calm, festive, and rooted in community!

I kicked things off close to home at Hospitality Night in Laguna Beach, one of those events that really captures the spirit of the town. Downtown closes off certain streets, Santa shows up, there’s a tree lighting, and everyone seems to slow down just enough to enjoy it. As a member of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, I volunteered to help with setup beforehand, then spent the evening walking around, grabbing hot chocolate, catching the tree lighting, and heading to dinner. Nothing fancy, just a really good night in town.

I also made it to Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Festival a few times this season, each time with different groups of people. It’s always one of those places where you end up lingering longer than you expect, listening to music, walking through the art, and running into familiar faces. As part of the event, Chamber members can add an ornament representing their businesses to the Chamber of Commerce Christmas tree. My ornament this year was made by my grandmother, a hand–cross-stitched version of my logo in a Santa picture-frame ornament. After I put it up, it disappeared for a few weeks, likely taken down and moved after heavy rain. When I finally went back and saw it hanging again, I was genuinely relieved! She had put so much work into it, and seeing it back where it belonged ended up being one of those small moments that meant more than I expected!

Outside of events, one of my favorite parts of the season was simply driving around and taking in the decorations. Laguna Beach leaned into a winter-white theme again, with snowflakes hanging throughout the trees downtown, which always looks especially good at night. We also drove through neighborhoods in Newport Beach, where some of my friends live, and the holiday decorations there were on another level; thoughtful, festive, and impossible not to admire.

For the first time, I finally made it to the Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade and had a great time! We also walked around the harbor a few times to see the décor with everything lit up. With all the construction currently going on, it’s not quite what it should be, but it was still enjoyable. A little coffee spot near the Marine Center quickly became a favorite stop for gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate!

We also made a holiday trip to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, mostly to ride Haunted Mansion Holiday and walk around the resort. Seeing the tree on Main Street and the decorations at the Grand Californian Hotel is something I’ll never get tired of! I’ve always loved Disneyland during the holidays! Not just for the rides, but for the landscaping and the small details that make it feel intentional and timeless.

Staying closer to home, we went to the Rivian South Coast Theater to see It’s a Wonderful Life, continuing a tradition from last year. The theater was noticeably busier this time, which was nice to see. I also watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey for the first time. While I’ll always prefer the original cartoon, it was still a fun way to mix things up.

We wrapped up the season with a walk around Balboa Island, taking in the Christmas lights and décor throughout the neighborhood; an easy, classic way to end the holidays. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day themselves were exactly what I hoped for: mellow, relaxed, and spent with loved ones.

As much as it’s nice to settle back into the normalcy of the new year, I’ll admit it, I’m already looking forward to Christmas again! These traditions, places, and small moments are a big part of why I love living here, and why this community continues to feel like home.

Happy 2026!

-Gerson

Written by Gerson Seise REALTOR®  Cell: 949.533.7053
GERSON SEISE REALTY - Real Brokerage Technologies