Alaska: Santa Claus House
In the town of North Pole, located just 20 minutes from Fairbanks, going all out on Christmas decorations is a given. Stop by Santa Claus House where "it's Christmas every day" for photos with one of the world's largest Santa statues as well as the big man himself and his whole reindeer team. A tradition since 1952, Santa can be found at his workshop all year round, though he only works select days between January and September.
Pick up some fudge, cookies, chocolates, and candies from the Sweet Shop, or to really impress friends and family back home, mail your letters, souvenirs, gifts, or holiday cards from here with a postmark from North Pole, Alaska.
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Arizona: The Tumbleweed Tree
No pines or spruces in your state? Simply make do with what you have à la Arizona's Tumbleweed Tree. About a 30-minute drive from Phoenix in Downtown Chandler — and a quirky area tradition since 1957 — the community centerpiece is, quite literally, a pile of nearly 1,000 tumbleweeds formed into a tree shape, sprayed with white paint, dusted with 65 pounds of glitter, and adorned with 1,200 lights. It's truly a sight to behold. If you're in town in early December, don't miss the Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights, where you can meet Santa, hear live music, and see the downtown area in all its holiday season glory.