December holidays are the perfect festive treat
The summer holidays feel like so long ago by the time December arrives. Ahead of us are all the preparations for Christmas and the New Year but despite the adverts on the television few of us feel ready to take on the challenge. For some of us it is just the cold and damp that slows us down and makes us feel that hibernation is a really good idea. Others dread the shopping not just because of the crowds but because the local shops have the same old things and have increased the price of them just for the festive season.
Christmas holidays abroad can be the perfect way to re-charge your batteries and put you in the right mood. The type of person you are will determine the sort of break you look for. Whether you want to go before the festivities arrive or for the big day itself you can find something that all the family will enjoy.
The shopaholic
Christmas shopping can be fun and not just for the grown-ups. Tired feet and aching arms can almost be overlooked when you are surrounded by the sights sounds and smells of the season. Christmas markets are full of traditional gifts foods and decorations – for the kids they are magical and for the grown-ups they are the source of unique Christmas presents that none of the family back home will have received before.
It’s not just the markets that attract the shopaholic department stores go all out to amaze people with their decorations and gift ideas. Department stores like Harrods and Selfridges in London the Galeries Lafayette in Paris and the huge Macy’s store on New York City’s Broadway all transform themselves in December and become magical winter-lands that kids and adults adore. Although department stores can be pricey they always have some reasonably priced gift ideas developed exclusively for each store.
You can find excellent travel deals for Christmas shopping holidays abroad from low cost airfares to off-season prices for accommodation. Just don’t forget to spend some time relaxing – it is a holiday after all – and remember that you have to be able to get all your shopping home with you.
The thrill seeker
For some skiing and snow-boarding will always be preferable to sitting in front of the television with a glass of eggnog and a mince pie. The season for winter sports holidays may only just be getting started but for thrill seekers it can be the ideal time to get away and burn off some calories before the main feasting begins at home. Others however prefer to spend Christmas itself at a skiing resort making it the perfect Christmas break away from the distractions of the wider family or work.
Most European skiing resorts cater for beginners and will run skiing lessons for children. You might not be guaranteed a white Christmas at home but here you will be – and that glass of eggnog will taste so much better against a snowy Alpine setting. The kids will love the whole festive look and feel of a skiing resort in December. Prices at this time of year are not at their cheapest but you can find some excellent deals for family skiing holidays – and after all don’t you all deserve to be treated?
The sun worshiper
People who seek out the sun in December may be trying to get away from the whole Christmas thing or they may simply enjoy the quirkiness of hearing Bing Crosby singing about a white Christmas whilst they are basking in the sun with a Tequila Sunrise. The one thing they all have in common is a desire to feel the warmth of the sun in mid-winter.
If you are looking for December sun but you still want to embrace the spirit of the season head to somewhere like Rio de Janeiro in Brazil or Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. The streets stores and hotels will be spectacularly decorated and you can experience totally new Christmas dishes and traditions. Only when you are on the beach watching the kids playing in the waves might you forget that it’s actually December.
