Coming to visit us in Hilton Head for your summer vacation or a weekend getaway? Make sure you have your camera packed not only to snap pictures for future memories, but to snag yourself a Palmetto Dunes gift card.

Every week through the rest of the summer we’re going to reward our loyal guests with Palmetto Dunes gift cards when you share your vacation picture with us on our various social outlets, like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Here’s all you have to do:

• Take a picture before Tuesday at 8 p.m. the week of your vacation at a recognizable spot within Palmetto Dunes or Shelter Cove Harbour
• Tweet your pic to @PalmettoDunesSC, post it on our Facebook page or upload to Pinterest and “tag” Palmetto Dunes using the @ symbol.
• We’ll pick our favorite picture of the week (so be creative!) by Wednesday morning, notify the winner via social media and have your $25 gift card ready for pick up by Wednesday at noon at the Palmetto Dunes Welcome Center.

Where to take your pic? Here’s a few of our favorite ideas to get you inspired:

• The statue of Neptune at Shelter Cove
• The Palmetto Dunes entrance sign
• The Palmetto Dunes Welcome Center
• Any of our golf courses
• The Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center
• Buying a T-shirt or Palmetto Dunes Tervis Tumbler at Hilton Head Outfitters
• The General Store
• The new Big Jim’s BBQ, Burgers & Pizza at the Jones course
• Picking out sunglasses at the Ship’s Store
• HarbourFest at Shelter Cove (why not snap a photo with the kids and Shannon Tanner or Cappy the Clown?)
• Eating an Italian Ice at Frosty’s in Shelter Cove
• Dunes House
• Hopping a ride on the Dunes Buggy!
• Sipping a margarita at San Miguel’s in Shelter Cove

Now, how can you use your gift card? Lots of ways! The gift card is accepted at any Palmetto Dunes-owned point of purchase locations. Note, it is not redeemable at the General Store. Here’s just a few of the ways you can splurge:

• Tennis court time at the Tennis Center
• Round of golf or golf club rentals at our golf courses
• Breakfast, lunch or dinner at Big Jim’s at the Jones course
• Apparel at any of our pro shops
• Kayak, canoe or bike rentals at Hilton Head Outfitters
• Goods at the Ship’s Store in Shelter Cove
• Charters from Outside Hilton Head at Shelter Cove
• Lunch or dinner at the Dunes House

How would you use your gift certificate? Let us know and start thinking now of the perfect Palmetto Dunes shot! 

There are so many things to be thankful for here in Hilton Head, South Carolina. The gorgeous weather, the beach, fishing, biking, great golf and tennis and all the amazing people! If you’re looking to skip the early snow this year and have a warm Thanksgiving, come celebrate with us at Palmetto Dunes. The average temperature here in November is upper 60’s to mid 70’s, making it great weather to hit one of our three golf courses, walk the beach or to play tennis all day!

Thanksgiving Day will be celebrated in a big way at our beach front restaurant, The Dunes House! On Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, from 11 am - 5 pm you can enjoy a huge Thanksgiving buffet your grandmother would be proud of. You can also pre-order a meal for carry-out. Just call us at 843-686-9623 or email us at carryout@palmettodunes.com.  The best part is you don’t have to cook or clean up when you’re done!

The buffet is $27.95 per person plus tax and gratuity and $13.95 for kids 12 and younger. Here is the menu for Turkey Day:

Thanksgiving Menu at The Dunes House:

Mix Greens Salad with House Dressings
New England Clam Chowder
Citrus Brined Deep Fried Tom Turkey
Oven Roasted Organic Free Range Turkey
Corn Bread Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Honey Glazed Baked Bone in Spiral Ham
Miss Liz's Three Cheese Mac and Cheese
Candied Yams
Garlic Mash Yukon Gold Potatoes
Fennel and Rosemary Crusted Prime Rib
Desserts include: Frankie Mae's Famous Pumpkin Pie, Keylime Pie,
Southern Bourban Pecan Pie, Sweet Potatoe Pie and Cookies.
Regular menu will not be served at this time.

We’ll also be hosting a holiday kick-off celebration the day after Thanksgiving and we’ll be sharing information soon with all the details. Whether you join us or celebrate at home, happy Turkey Day!

One of the benefits of staying at Palmetto Dunes is having everything right at your fingertips. The beach, bikes, golf and fishing are all within walking or biking distance from your villa. The same goes for food. Whether you’re craving burgers, burritos or a seafood diner paired with wine, it’s available at Palmetto Dunes or across the street at Shelter Cove Harbour.

The best part about a Palmetto Dunes wedding is that you can extend your special day; it isn't over in just one night! We arrived on a Wednesday and left on a Monday (6 days total), and visited with friends and family each day. Most had never been to Hilton Head and fell in love with Palmetto Dunes. Our closest friends stayed with us in a gorgeous rental home just steps away from the Dunes House and my parents stayed in Villamare Villas. Although we live in Chicago, the area's vendors were helpful and reliable while planning and delivered wonderful results. Nicole Guy worked with me as I changed my mind numerous times with the menu, guest count, timeframe, and more. Sometimes, with an outdoor reception, the biggest concern is weather. Have you wondered what you would do if it started raining during your wedding ceremony? It happened to us, but the blissful aftershock of officially tying the knot overcame any feelings of panic as Michael and I boarded the wedding party bus from Holy Family's rainy parking lot to the entrance of Palmetto Dunes. Our skilled photographer John Brackett didn't seem to mind either, as he guided the driver to a PD special spot with the signature Hilton Head Island trees and foliage for a breathtaking backdrop. After photos, we approached the Dunes House to the sound of our steel drum band and party conversation. Our guests delightfully sipped champaign and munched on passed hors d'oeuvres while staying dry inside. As we each took drink and food for ourselves and mingled with our guests, we couldn't help wondering if the rain would stay or leave, but to our delight, the gorgeous rays of sun pushed through. I could hardly believe the outcome when a beautiful rainbow appeared over the ocean! The sky transformed into an amazing palate of blues which translated to beach photos that look magical. Although nature placed us slightly behind schedule, dinner was served as planned outside on the deck. Before long our guests were dancing to the sounds of "The Mighty Kicks" while enjoying the liberating feeling of letting loose under the stars. We were told by many that this was the best wedding they have ever attended! To see a short video clip, go to: http://s808.photobucket.com/albums/zz6/michaelpeck13/?action=view¤t=OUR_WEDDING-011.flv

They say that rain on your wedding day is good luck. I just think it's an old saying to help brides feel better during a deluge! Nonetheless, we had no choice but to happily embrace our blessings from heaven when the skies opened up on our wedding day at Palmetto Dunes. Part of the reason I chose PD is because the Dunes House and the adjacent covered patio made for a picturesque "Plan B" in case of rain. We're from Chicago and had really hoped for a beach wedding. We were told by all the vendors that it "never" rains on Hilton Head in May. Turns out they were right- except for our wedding day! It absolutely poured buckets: thunder, lightning- you name it! But Nicole Guy was absolutely wonderful the morning of the wedding in shifting everything indoors and making sure we still had the special oceanside wedding we desired. I truly feel that our positive attitudes during the downpour, the loving energy we got from our guests, and Nicole's swift actions moved God to cease the rain precisely when the ceremony ended! It seems no sooner did the minister allow my husband to "kiss the bride" that the rain stopped and the sky turned a beautiful, dreamy dark blue! We were able to take photos outside on the deck and on the beach- our photographer loved the post-storm sky and said it was much better than having bright sun. Our dinner was still indoors and featured the simple elegance and intimacy the Dunes House offers; the food was delicious and the decor was wonderful. We enjoyed drinks and dancing outside, and we look back on our rainy wedding day as absolutely perfect! Our thanks to Nicole and Palmetto Dunes- even with the rain you gave us a dream wedding we'll never forget!