Florida Has One of the Best Hallmark Christmas Towns

The holidays are almost here, and that means it's Hallmark movie time. Admit it. You get stuck on those romantic holiday flicks when nobody is watching. Or, maybe you proudly watch them with your friends or family. What's more, I totally own my love for these cheesy movies. Regardless, Hallmark movie season is here. Well, Florida has one of the best Hallmark Christmas towns, which is perhaps rare in the Sunshine State.

Bestlifeonline.com has a story out on 10 small towns that will make you feel like you're in a Hallmark Christmas movie. "If you're like us, then you know that these films often take place in small towns across the country where there are kitschy holiday traditions, beautiful decorations, and of course a love story involved," they explain in the story. " From the historic streets of the nation's oldest city to a California town that inspired an actual Christmas movie, there's plenty of holiday cheer to go around."

Before we get to our area, what's the No. 1 best Hallmark Christmas spot in America? According to the list, it's Savannah, Georgia. "With horse-drawn carriage rides, walks along the riverfront, and of course, plenty of bed and breakfasts to enjoy a stay at, the city welcomes everyone to enjoy its famous streets," they write.

Now, let's get to our state. According to this story about the best Hallmark Christmas towns you can visit in real life, it's St. Augustine, Florida, coming in at a very high No. 4 on the tally. "The nation's oldest city really goes all out during the holiday season with lights, trolley rides, and caroling through the historic streets," they say of the town. "On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the city lights up for the first time for its annual Night of Lights celebration." That sounds like a picture-perfect holiday. Find the full list of holiday cheer here.

A new relationship can be exciting. The possibilities are all ahead, and things seem perfect, at least for a while. This is the "honeymoon phase," where you don't see (or you ignore) all the little annoying things in your partner and feel totally infatuated. If you're lucky, that feeling lasts forever. Well, the holidays can be a difficult time for dating. So, what are some holiday dating do's and don'ts?

It really seems like people are more apt to want to get into a relationship during the holidays. It makes sense. Much of America gets cold during the holiday months, and cuddling with a significant other while watching movies and drinking hot cocoa or an adult beverage is a fun holiday activity. Also, the holidays are the time of year when you're most likely to see family and friends. If they're all hooked up with significant others, you might feel pressure to find someone, too.

Before we get into the light-hearted do's and don'ts, one serious don't is hooking up with the wrong person just to feel like you have someone during the holidays. Sure, you might feel lonely at the annual family gathering if everyone else has a date, but it's not worth dating someone who is totally wrong for you just to have arm candy at Christmas dinner. This really holds true all year, as often times, events pop up where you might think, "Hey, I would love a date for this." But, if it's the wrong person, just don't do it. You'll save yourself a lot of heartache in the end.

So, what are some holiday dating do's and don'ts? Read on for a festive list. These are especially true if you're in a new relationships, because the holidays can be brutal for new love. But, the holidays can also be beautiful for a budding romance. Reach out to us with your holiday dating stories, too.

If you're started dating someone you really like, it might be temping to bring them to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. But, that could also freak them out. I remember going out with someone just once and getting invited to a holiday dinner. It made me a little uncomfortable, because even if I liked that person, it seemed like a big jump. So, if you do want to invite that new love to a holiday family event, make sure to talk it over with them and give them the option to say no.

If you're in a newer relationship, resist the temptation to buy your new love too much for Christmas. "Oh, he's a Packers fan! I'm going to buy all the Packers gear I can find!" Just don't do it. It's okay to give gifts, but keep it small if you haven't been together long, or you might look insane.

If you're in a new relationship, you should get something for your new partner during the holidays. But, as mentioned above, don't overdo it. A small, meaningful gift will likely be welcomed during the holidays and not scare your new love away.

Maybe you're used to seeing your new love a few times a week. What if that's just once a week, or less, during the holidays? Don't freak out or start crying or anything. The holidays are a busy time for all, and that means schedules change.

You might get invited to some fun holiday parties or work parties by your new love, and you might want to invite them to yours. That's fine and much less pressure than a family event. But, be on good behavior. Don't try to be the life of the party or anything, as you might mortify your date. Sometimes, people like to overdo it in the early stages and try to really impress, but you really just need to be yourself when meeting new friends and chill out a bit.