By Jeanni Ritchie
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you give yourself. After all, who knows you better than the one looking back from the mirror?
For me, Christmas has always been about traditions. But my Christmases are quieter these days — with the kids grown and having traditions of their own, I found myself ready for a new one. Enter the gift of a destination Christmas.
I spent the week on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, alternating between high-energy holiday attractions and the quiet luxury of room service at a resort — a balance that made for an unexpectedly perfect Christmas getaway.
I arrived in Biloxi a couple of days before Christmas and settled into my room at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino. While my gaming was limited to the arcade, there was no shortage of other ways to fill my days. The resort itself is a holiday destination, decked out in twinkling lights and Christmas trees around every corner, with shops, restaurants, a theatre, spa, pool, and an immersive sports simulator that kept me happily entertained.
Half-Price Wednesday was the perfect day to try my hand at the 40-plus games in the family-friendly arcade. I rode SpongeBob’s virtual roller coaster, attempted (unsuccessfully) to dominate the basketball version of Connect Four, and showed surprising skill breaking spinning plates with perfect aim.
I fared even better next door at MGM Golf’s multi-sport immersion simulator, where I shot zombies, rubber ducks, and outlaws with a 90% accuracy rate. I played everything from golf and bowling to cornhole, croquet, and Skee-Ball. I even scored once on the ice, my puck going straight through the goalie’s legs!
I ventured off the resort grounds for one special outing — the annual Gulfport Harbor Lights Festival at Jones Park. Considered the largest Christmas light show in Mississippi, the event features more than 1.5 million lights spread across 40 acres, complete with carnival rides, food trucks, fire pits, dancing trees, and Santa’s Village. I especially enjoyed the Christmas train, as it wound its way through all of the park, including the Dancing Trees display.
And then there was the food. With multiple dining options onsite, there was no shortage of tempting choices. One night brought dinner and a show at Stalla, where I lucked into a seat at the chef’s table overlooking the entire kitchen. I enjoyed a lobster pizza like I was a guest on a Food Network show.
Another evening ended with a pecan tart from Prime Steakhouse that looked like it belonged in the finale of Holiday Baking Championship, arriving in a chocolate dome that melted as warm sauce was poured over it tableside.
Christmas at The Buffet featured dishes like prime rib, cornbread stuffing, and barbecued shrimp, along with a Bananas Foster station, house-made beignets, and even a white chocolate fountain.
I also treated myself to breakfast in bed one morning — sausage gravy and biscuits from Salt and Ivy delivered right to my door — and traded milk and cookies on Christmas Eve for a spicy shrimp cocktail enjoyed while watching a Christmas movie on the big-screen tv in my room. Little indulgences have big rewards.
Christmas Day was spent honoring a decades-old tradition: reading a mystery novel. Only this time, I traded the fireplace for sun and sand, sprawled out on a cushioned wicker couch in Beau Rivage’s outdoor courtyard overlooking the Gulf.
Christmas evening was spent in one of my favorite places: the theatre. After interviewing producer Jeb Rand and cast member Anna Kramer last month, I finally got to see A Christmas Story: The Musical, presented by Rand Productions.
The talented cast brought the holiday classic to life with energetic musical numbers and beautiful sets. My favorite numbers were Sticky Situation and A Major Award. I saw Rand Productions’ Grease last summer and will be back for their 2026 summer production of Shrek the Musical as well, running June 11–July 2.
A coastal Christmas turned out to be the perfect gift for myself this holiday season — a little magic, a little indulgence, and a whole lot of fun.
Jeanni Ritchie is a travel writer from Central Louisiana. She is now considering gifting herself a Valentine’s Day weekend getaway to see The Price Is Right Live (February 28–March 1) and an Easter weekend visit for Dancing with the Stars Live (April 3–4) at the Beau Rivage!
