Here's how the Earle Street Santas came to be.
 
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Why did these Santas pop up?

Have you seen the giant inflatable Santas lining Earle Street? We know the backstory.
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The East Earle Street Santas have everyone talking. | Photo by GVLtoday
Have you heard about the giant inflatable Santas lining East Earle Street? (We counted 37, but the neighbors tell us more are popping up each day.) The Halloween capital of Greenville’s new tradition is trending on local social media feeds, but how did it start?

It’s a heartwarming tale of neighbors who decided to try something new when one of their own needed some extra holiday cheer.

The backstory

Picture this: Leah Tankersley, who moved to Earle Street in 1995, was in the emergency room with her father.

“He’s terminal,” she explained. “It’s been a really hard year.”

Her friends (and East Earle Street neighbors) asked what any of us would ask when a friend is going through a difficult season: “How can we help?”

Tankersley had been scrolling on her phone at the hospital and saw a video of a Canadian neighborhood with giant inflatable Santas in every front yard. It made her smile, so she sent it to her friends’ group chat and said, “Have you seen this? It would make me so happy.”

It wasn’t long before Ann Brock (an East Earle Street resident since 2002) shared a link to purchase the inflatables, along with a $10 off coupon, in the neighborhood group chat.

No small Santas here, Brock clarified. “It had to be a giant Santa.”

A snowball effect.

From there, other neighbors understood the assignment and started asking the East Earle Street residents for the link to purchase their own. “It snowballed,” explained Brock.

“We just really wanted to do it, and if we got six Santas up we would’ve been happy,” Stephanie Burnette (an East Earle Street resident since 2001) said. “The fact that 35 more people jumped on board, it makes it really feel like the Christmas spirit.”

This traffic is worth it. Cars drive slowly down East Earle Street these days, with curious adults hanging their heads out the window, and kids pointing from their strollers on evening walks.

“We’re really hoping Google Earth will come by this month,” Burnette joked.
Asked

Have you decked the halls? We want to see your holiday house.
Whether you prefer classic and traditional or colorful and festive, we want to see them all + there are several ways you can share:
  1. Fill out this form
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  3. Email us at hello@gvltoday.com
 
Events
Thursday, Dec. 7
  • Grand Menorah Lighting | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 5:30 p.m. | Hampton Station, 1320 Hampton Ave. Ext., Greenville | Free | Step into the enchanting world of festive lights and joy at this inaugural Grand Menorah Lighting + enjoy light refreshments.
  • Winter Wonderland | Thursday, Dec. 7-Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | Historic Kilgore Lewis House, 560 N. Academy St., Greenville | Free | Experience a one-of-a-kind Christmas in Greenville’s historic home owned by The Greenville Garden Council.
Friday, Dec. 8
  • Christmas at BridgeWay | Friday, Dec. 8 | 3-8 p.m. | BridgeWay Station, 1000 Via Corso Ave., Simpsonville | Free | Visit with Santa, hop on a train ride, and bring your pet for a best-dressed competition.
  • Holidays at the Zoo | Friday, Dec. 8-Saturday, Dec. 30 | 4-8 p.m. | Greenville Zoo, 150 Cleveland Park Dr., Greenville | $10-$12 | Explore the zoo at night with thousands of holiday lights.
  • Kringle Holiday Village | Friday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 10 | Times vary | Fluor Field, 945 S. Main St., Greenville | $12-$60 | Meet Santa, shop local vendors, and enjoy live entertainment — all proceeds benefit Rotary Charities.
Saturday, Dec. 9

  • Gingerbread House Workshop | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Couture Cakes of Greenville, 1325 Miller Rd., Ste. H, Greenville | $65-$85 | Let the experts help as you decorate with your friends and family and get into the holiday spirit.
  • Lauren Daigle | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville | $49-$166 | This two-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter takes the stage with her “Kaleidescope Tour.”
  • Indie Craft Parade Holiday Mini-Market | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Makers Collective, 2909 Old Buncombe Rd., Greenville | Free entry | Shop the outdoor mini-market featuring 25+ makers.
  • World WONDERLand | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, 300 College St., Greenville | $12-$15 | Take a photo with Santa Claus and celebrate winter holidays celebrated around the world at TCMU’s World WONDERLand.
Calendar of events here
Click here to have your event featured.
Junior League of Greenville
 
Try This

A floral design class at Greenville Technical College

Try This: A floral design class at Greenville Technical College
Presented by a GVLtoday Partner
GVLtoday Greenville Tech Floral Design Class
Who knew pumpkins made good vases? | Photo by GVLtoday
Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your own, “perfectly you” floral arrangement? City Editor Stephanie here. I recently took a floral design class through Greenville Technical College‘s Corporate and Continuing Education division and had a blast.

This four-week class focuses on a different technique each week, and gives you the creative reigns to craft your own floral masterpiece.

The floral design course is one of many offered by the Personal & Professional Enrichment (PPE) program and is growing in popularity. New classes are offered every semester, and other PPE courses range from photography and cake decorating to conversational Spanish and wedding planning.

What we tried:

Our class was focused on creating a “flowing” centerpiece for your table. Typically, students bring in their own materials to create something that is uniquely them, but my materials were provided by Dahlia A Florist. And boy, were they pretty.
What not to miss
News Notes
Development
  • Greenville County Council approved an ordinance aimed at ensuring “Pelham Road does not turn into Woodruff Road in 25 to 30 years.” The Pelham Road Commercial Corridor Overlay District would encourage mixed-use commercial projects with “attention to walkability, vehicular connectivity, area beautification, and signage.” (Greenville Journal)
Sports
  • The end of an era. The Carolina Panthers announced they will no longer hold their training camp in Spartanburg (like they have since 1995). The team is moving its preseason practices to its own facilities in Charlotte.
Open
  • Island Sun — a new Caribbean food truck concept — is taking over Automatic Taco’s former restaurant-on-wheels with menu items including jerk chicken, curry goat, and oxtails. Follow its Instagram to see where it’ll roll into next. (Greenville Journal)
Today Is
  • The start of Hanukkah — the Jewish Festival of Lights. Celebrate with the Grand Menorah Lighting at Hampton Station tonight at 5:30 p.m., or by attending Chanukah on Main on Sunday, Dec. 10 starting at 4 p.m.
Holiday
  • Poinsettia Postcards have returned to One City Plaza and Main Street for the holiday season. Stroll through the larger-than-life postcards decorated by local nonprofits and organizations. You can find all locations on the City of Greenville’s interactive holiday map.
Legacy
  • Carlton Thompson, affectionately known as “Gamecock Jesus,” a devoted fan of Gamecock athletics, passed away at 69. Diagnosed with cancer last year, Carlton was a familiar presence at USC basketball and volleyball games, celebrated for his enthusiastic support since 1968.
Seasonal
Try This
  • It’s the most wonderful time of the year — especially at Biltmore Estate. Christmas at Biltmore is full of holiday cheer + sparkling with Christmas magic, and there’s no better time to experience it than right now. Become a Biltmore Annual Passholder for a special limited-time offer of $209, a $90 savings off the regular price.*
Home
  • Are your home’s floors freezing? That probably means it’s time to schedule a free inspection with Crawlspace Medic of the Upstate. Psst… your insulation work could qualify for up to $1,200 in federal tax credits for 2023. Learn more.*
Active
  • ‘Tis the season to invest in your health and your future. The YMCA of Greenville is hosting its 12 Days of Wellness Special: Join The Y now through Dec. 12 with code 12DAYS23 and pay nothing until Jan. 1, 2024. Learn more + sign up.*
Finance
  • Need a financial break during the holidays? Qualified Greenville Federal Credit Union members can take advantage of Skip a Pay, a special convenience feature that allows members to skip a monthly payment — so you can save or spend that money elsewhere.*
Correction
Correction
  • Upstate Preservation Trust Vice Chair Lindsey Strand told us the Greenville County Historic + Natural Resources Trust is one of the potential funding partners for the proposed park redevelopment of Oakland Plantation — but it will be Upstate Preservation Trust that purchases the property from the YMCA, made possible with contributed funding.
 
Shop

3 holiday gift picks for men (all 50% off)
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Harlestons has extended their 50% offer exclusively for our readers. | Photo by Harlestons
Harlestons has extended its 50% off sale just for our readers: Use the auto-applied code 6AM50 for 50% off everything online until Friday, Dec. 8 at midnight.

New to the high-quality menswear brand? Here are our top three gift picks:
  1. Sport Hoodie: This top-seller is almost sold out.
  2. The Anson performance polo: It’s rated five stars by 99% of customers.
  3. The Sully quarter zip: Many of these colors match up with The Anson colors for a coordinated, layered look.
Save 50% on these gifts with code 6AM50
The Buy

The Buy 12.07.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
The best sunglasses for people on our gift list who love being outside. Bonus: They’re 20% off today.
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The Wrap
 
Danielle Barilla in a purple lace shirt

Today’s edition by:
Danielle
From the editor
As I sat around the table with the ladies of Earle Street, I was reminded of what this season is truly about. The smiles they’re seeing on faces traveling down their street is worth more than the cost of any piece of decor. I appreciate Stephanie (aka @eatdrinkcarolinas) introducing me to this group so I could share this story of friendship.
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