Christmas Holiday Ideas

It’s come around to that time of year again- the countdown has begun & we have all started dusting off the holiday decorations & searching for the ideal x-mas party outfit. Recent trends in the last few years have seen more & more people eagerly get away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas at home & choose to spend the holidays away on holiday! Even if you want to have your heart set on a Christmas at home you can still get in a quick cheeky weekend away under the pretence on getting into the spirit of things and a quick trip abroad in search of bargain presents for your nearest & dearest. Loads of destinations are available where you can either spend the run up to Christmas or Christmas itself & I’ve taken a little to time to compile my top five Alternative Christmas Ideas.

Christmas Markets in Munich:

An obvious choice to get in the Christmas spirit. The markets run from the end of November until December 23rd and promise to get you humming your favourite Christmas Carols. The city is transformed into a picturesque backdrop rivalling any image shown in your favourite childhood fairytale. The markets offer loads of handmade ornaments & traditional Bavarian cuisine and are definitely an area where inspiration can be drawn for personal gifts for friends & family. The traditions of the Christmas market in Munich date back as far as the 14th Century and the whole city get involved in the spirit of things with fabulous Christmas lights turned on at the beginning of Advent & regular Nativity plays being preformed around the city.

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Birmingham for Cadbury World:

An unusual choice for a Christmas Treat but I have to say, for me, Christmas Day normally means one thing (after the religious side of things, the tree, Mr. Claus & the turkey obviously J) and that thing is “The Selection Box Challenge”. A favourite activity in my house- this entails eating as much of the largest selection box imaginable after the dinner, which is quite filling in itself I might add- obviously the loser is whoever gives up first- but in a game like this there really are no losers as either way your too stuffed with chocolate to care. For me a trip to the Cadbury visitor centre Cadbury World in Birmingham would be the ultimate warm up to the annual family SBC as not only as the trip involves learning loads about the yummy stuff but also involves some free samples. The shop on site sells lots of chocolate goodies which make the ideal gift for those back home. Birmingham itself also has a lot to offer in respect of regular Christmas activities including the world’s largest authentic German Christmas markets outside of Germany or Austria.

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Ho Ho Ho Helsinki for Santa Claus:

Helsinki may not immediately spring to mind when thinking about Christmas but a province outside of Helsinki might ring a bell- Lapland. The home to the Real Mr. Claus this is the picture & definition of Christmas for every child- both big & small. The famous area closest to where Himself resides is known as Rovaniemi and it really comes alive around the festive season with lots of Christmas markets, concerts & even Ginger bread house competitions. The province is a short flight from Helsinki and while it is bustling with activity it does pale in comparison to the Finnish capital. Helsinki has lots of markets & concerts too and with many tour companies offering day trips to Lapland it is possible to squeeze both areas into the one trip. On a point to note though- as with travelling to many countries traditions in relation to food can vary & in Finland it is common to eat Reindeer- it is worth a try although I don’t know how your conscience could handle if you ate Rudolf on Christmas Eve!

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Traditional Christmas in Belfast:

Belfast is an ideal location for a quiet traditional Christmas. The city is relatively small meaning all shops & activities are within walking distance of each other. The city also features many of the main large retailers such as Debenhams, Zara, all the Arcadia Group and all the large supermarkets too- so bargains to be had all round. The city is bustling after years of living in the shadow of the troubles and is really coming into its own after a strong period of rejuvenation. In tune with the festive season the city is featuring lots of Christmas markets & concerts, with the city’s lights being officially turned-on at the end of November. From a traditional point of view, events not to be missed in Belfast are the many pantomimes performed throughout the city- favourites include Dick Whittington & Robin Hood and many more.

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Desert in Dubai:

It doesn’t get more alternative than this- celebrate the “Winter” season in searing desert heat. If a traditional Christmas is not your thing I really would advise trying it in a less conventional location. The country is predominantly Arab, but in recent years in the Dubai emirate a strong ex-pat community has developed, with a mix of American, British & a huge Irish settling; and with these developments Western traditions have also travelled. The city is famous for its fabulous shopping malls and state of the art technology and come December the city begins to transform into an alternative Winter Wonderland. However some traditional Christmas activities are still available such as ski- on the world’s only snow slopes in the desert. The most apt way however to celebrate the festive season here is relaxing on a beach, with your Santa hat on!

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