[scooby99]

We stay at Indian Shores (10 miles south of Clearwater) every Christmas; fingers crossed for this year too.
More is open during December as it is starting to move into peak season; you’ll see things in the area that are open that are closed in the low season (June-September).

The sea on the Gulf Coast will be warmer than the Atlantic.

December can be very variable.

We’ve had 85 degrees with blazing sun; so hot you need to jump in the pool to cool down; high 60s-low 70s with cloud & windy; just a little too cool to sit by the pool, far too cold with the breeze to get in it; high 70s with blue skies & sunshine & just perfect; low-mid 50s with cold heavy rain & the heating on in the car.
Weather forecasts are spot on 2 days before so keep an eye on that.