November 1, 2026

November: A Little Holiday Magic in Historic Cocoa Village

Dear Friends,

Last month, I wrote about making a little more room for the people and moments that matter. November is giving us plenty of opportunities to do just that! The cooler weather has me excited to open up the back porch for events again, decorate this beautiful old house, and welcome the holiday season in Cocoa Village.

One of the things I’m most looking forward to is Christmas Magic in Cocoa Village, the Spade & Trowel Garden Club’s holiday home tour on Wednesday, November 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I’ve participated in this tour before by opening my own home, so it feels especially meaningful to be part of it again, this time welcoming visitors to The Parrish Grove Inn. And this year, my mom, Debbie Sanders, is on the committee putting it all together. Getting to share this tradition with her makes it that much sweeter.

The tour brings together historic homes and places dressed for Christmas, with handmade crafts and baked goods at Magnolia Hall and raffles and refreshments here at the Inn. It’s a lovely excuse to gather a few friends, enjoy these beautiful buildings, and support local charities along the way. We’ll have this old girl looking her holiday best! Find home tour details and tickets here.

Then comes Thanksgiving weekend—and hopefully a house full of people you love. If you have friends and family visiting, bring them over for Back Porch Uncorked. After the cooking, dishes, and inevitable second helping of everything, an evening out on the porch sounds pretty good to me. Let us pour the wine while you settle in, catch up, and enjoy having everyone together. I’ve missed those evenings outside, when nobody seems quite ready to head home.

There’s plenty to make a weekend of it, too. Historic Cocoa Village’s Hot Cocoa Holidays begin November 28 with Small Business Saturday and the “Shop Small” Sip & Shop. December brings Moonlight Music on the Promenade on December 4 and the Art & Craft Holiday Bazaar on December 5–6. Between the little shops, holiday lights, and time along the riverfront, there are some wonderful reasons to bring your visitors into the Village—or plan a Cocoa Village holiday getaway of your own.

For me, the magic of the season is in the anticipation as much as anything: pulling out the decorations, making plans with friends, and imagining this house filled with people enjoying themselves. Sharing our first holiday season at the Inn with all of you is something I’ve been looking forward to.

Cooler evenings, a little sparkle, and a full porch? Bring it on.

See you on the porch,
Kristi