Spending Christmas Abroad?

[Bookaholic73]

Has anyone ever spent Christmas abroad? What did you think? If it was a warm place, did it still feel like Christmas with the heat?

We are thinking of it for next year.
Any suggestions for where to go, on a reasonable budget? Less than 3k preferably.

DH doesn’t have his younger kids next year, my kids will be 18 and 22.

We did but it was very expensive

Thailand perfect weather and 30 degrees with humidity. I loved it and would do it more often if I could.

We spend every third year in Australia, a couple of Christmases in SE Asia when we lived there, and have also spent two Christmases in Africa.

Slightly different as we were with family but it does feel Christmassy in a different way. The food being the main difference, lots more salads and seafood etc.

I do think a lot of places bump up their prices for Christmas. I do know of a few people who go to the Canaries either just before or just after Christmas and it seems warm enough for what they want. That might be within your budget.

You’ll struggle to get anywhere decent over Christmas for 4 adults for under £3k

The flights alone could easily be that

Thanks everyone.
Maybe we will go a bit later/earlier than Xmas itself, early December maybe. Would that make a big difference in price?

Nice to hear that the heat didn’t dampen Christmas spirits.

We’ve been to Thailand and also Canaries, lovely places!

We’ve been to Mexico and the Canaries for Xmas. The hotels always make it really Christmassy and it’s nice to be able to sunbathe on Xmas day. We’ve always had a ‘fake’ Xmas day a few days before we go so kids can open presents etc and we take a couple of small presents to open Xmas day whilst we are away.
Much cheaper to go away beginning or mid December.

I've spent Christmas in Barcelona, which was frosty but sunny, and Libya, which was surprisingly cold. I have spent new year in Morocco which was warm. Libya and Morocco were more Christmassy than you would expect.

When I was younger we flew to the states to spend Christmas with family all over, it was great but we travelled on Christmas Day - do not recommend!!!

Two years ago spent Christmas in Oman with in-laws. There was 10 of us and it was really lovely. I find I get quite bad Christmas blues after the day itself, but because it was so unchristmassy I didn't experience any of that. Would have done it this year but obviously that wasn't to be.

We usually go away and today has reminded us of why! The warmth, the ability to ignore usual Christmas traditions ( bar a few presents for the children) and general relaxation makes it perfect. Fingers crossed for Christmas 2021...

Now that the dc are teens we go abroad every year. Usually Spain, Portugal or Morocco, whichever is cheaper. Easyjet usually do £9.99 flights that I have my eye out for and accommodation is much cheaper at that time of year. Sunny during the day but you need a fleece for night time.
As teens they get one big present only anyway (usually a phone or tech), our favourite Xmas was in Malaga Old Town for the switching on of the lights, it was magical. No it doesn't feel like a traditional Xmas but with teens the magic/excitement is pretty much gone anyway. Going away has been a game changer for us.

Have been to Mauritius at Christmas. It was lovely - very relaxing! They had carols around the pool on Christmas Eve, a Santa parade on Christmas Day. We did presents and a Christmas dinner before we left so I didn't dvd not take presents with us.

Went to India last year! Flew on Christmas Day actually flights were cheaper that day! It wasn’t super expensive - we just kinda winged it - wandered the beaches in Goa, booked accommodation a few days here and there and then moved on to another beach! It was lovely, so relaxing. We were paying like 20£ a night my for a lovely beach hut with air con - loved it! Zero Christmas vibes really - but didn’t care just loved being away in the sun!

We were meant to be in New York this year - supposed to have flown yday - but it got cancelled obviously 😂

I have been in the Maldives at Christmas and new year. Would depend on which island as to what was going on.
I was kind of dreading it as very much not Into big resorty type ‘gala dinner events etc’. In the end it was fine. It felt Christmassy even on a boat/diving etc. Everyone of all nations faiths none etc was wishing everyone Happy Christmas. Took small paper decorations and small presents. And small panettone for breakfast on the beach.
Was on the Andamans at Christmas - preferable. Less organised stuff and more able to escape or join in smaller things going on as we felt like it. More ‘real life’ going on.
Was once in Egypt at new year. We were kind of locked into our hotel and ‘forced’ to attend gala dinner (nothing else open for food) - bizarre and not something I’d need to do again !

Venice is lovely at Christmas time. Doesn't have to be too wildly expensive if you don't want a fancy hotel - but if you meant £3k for all of you, you haven't a hope, and certainly not anywhere warm - more like £3k each.

Do avoid the 'gala dinners' - ghastly, badly cooked travesties of what you've left home to avoid!

We did - white, sandy beach, truly idyllic. I didn't enjoy it - despite the decorations it didn't feel like Xmas.

Dread the word ‘gala’ although the Maldives shindig was made better by being barefoot and on sand - my feet were happy !

Did Iceland one year. It was fabulous can’t to go back again.
Plenty to do, great atmosphere, nice food and everyone very friendly

We have spent Christmas in Cyprus, Italy and Germany. (We lived in Cyprus and Germany at those times, and Italy was a ski holiday)

Cyprus... Well it was Winter. Warmer than the UK, we spent most of the day outside, but not hot. Far too cold for pools or swimming. Beach was ok in jeans and hoodies.
Germany... Very 'Christmassy'. Markets, carols, etc.
Italy (ski slopes)... Had the snow. But didn't feel like Christmas. Just skiing.

Sounds like a dream tbh!

I have done the same with my boyfriend a couple of years ago, but assume it would be really expensive for a full family

We’ve also been in Berlin and Aus

The most indulgent was the full resort scenario

Vitaminsss we usually get 10 days for a family of 5 for £1500, that includes flights, accommodation and car hire.

Loved it,
We have done snowy and sunny, it's different but when the children were small we took their stockings and adapted our Christmas traditions and made it special.
It can be as Christmassy or not as you like. The break from wider family demands and occasions was perfect for us. We usually go away every third Christmas but are not booking for next year yet due to pandemic.

I’ve been to Thailand, Barbados and Mexico at Christmas and trust me it’s the way forward! All those places were hot and I’d say out of the three Thailand don’t really celebrate Christmas but do put up decorations in hotels etc for the Westerners. I’m not a fan of Christmas so it worked for me! However for that price it will be hard to find something, maybe try early December though as later in the month is obviously a lot more expensive!

We've done the Canary Islands, New York and also skiing it Italy. (I've also been in Greece and Germany for Christmas Day but they weren't holidays). Definitely recommend getting away. We've spoken about going skiing again next Christmas. It's expensive so we won't all be getting lots of presents too. The kids can decide if they want presents or a ski holiday!