I grew up in England where Christmases are generally wet and miserable and if you were lucky, just a little bit overcast and grey! In 2010 we had snow, proper snow where it covered the ground making it pretty and white – now for us Brits, that is the perfect Christmas, the stuff kid’s dreams are made of!
When I was 17 years old, I lost my Grandmother on Christmas Day so for me, the “magic of Christmas” had gone. I didn’t feel I could “celebrate” in the same way so over the years, I discovered that being away from the UK made me the happiest, plus, any excuse to have a holiday, right?
I have since experienced Christmas in five different continents with both snow and sun. I love them both for different reasons, but one stood out for me the most … when I was 3ft deep in snow!
The cold isn’t for everyone …. so which do you think you would prefer?
When I was 17 years old, I lost my Grandmother on Christmas Day so for me, the “magic of Christmas” had gone. I didn’t feel I could “celebrate” in the same way so over the years, I discovered that being away from the UK made me the happiest, plus, any excuse to have a holiday, right?
I have since experienced Christmas in five different continents with both snow and sun. I love them both for different reasons, but one stood out for me the most … when I was 3ft deep in snow!
The cold isn’t for everyone …. so which do you think you would prefer?
How do the Brits celebrate?
Us Brits make up for the miserable weather by celebrating BIG style! Shops begin the run up to Christmas around October with the same Christmas tunes regurgitated year after year driving you craaaaazy! Houses and streets are illuminated and larger cities like London or Manchester hire a celebrity to “switch on the Christmas lights”. Theatres run pantomimes during December, children hold nativity plays at school and carol singing services are popular throughout the country.
Us Brits make up for the miserable weather by celebrating BIG style! Shops begin the run up to Christmas around October with the same Christmas tunes regurgitated year after year driving you craaaaazy! Houses and streets are illuminated and larger cities like London or Manchester hire a celebrity to “switch on the Christmas lights”. Theatres run pantomimes during December, children hold nativity plays at school and carol singing services are popular throughout the country.
A traditional British Christmas tree with decorations and presents
A “traditional” Christmas for families in the UK is pretty much the same as other countries, i.e decorated Christmas trees where presents are teasingly displayed and tables are laiden with crackers and colourful paper hats. We eat turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes and, the crème de-la-creme ... pigs in blankets aka sausages wrapped in bacon! Yum scrum! We have a plethora of stodgy desserts served with brandy sauce or cream and choosing just one to eat is never enough, ooooo, plus chocolate – lots of chocolates are consumed ... and don’t forget the mulled wine! It’s not surprising that the average person puts on around 7kg weight over the festive period
A table decorated ready for Christmas Day lunch
The main difference in celebrations around the world is when families have their main meal and open their gifts. Some countries do this on the evening of 24th December but in the UK, everything is celebrated on 25th December.
My first Christmas away … Africa
My first ever Christmas overseas was in South Africa where it’s celebrated on 25th December due to their history with the UK. I was in Umhlanga Rocks just outside of Durban and, to be honest, it didn’t feel like Christmas at all. Maybe it’s because it’s a small place and maybe things have changed since my trip back in 1999 (check out this website for “Christmas around the world” it does appear to contradict what I experienced). There didn’t appear to be any tinsel or trees decorated with baubles, in fact quite a few shops and cafe’s were actually open on Christmas day but none of them were playing Christmas songs as we are generally used to in the UK. It just felt like any other ordinary sunny day.
I spent my morning basking in the hot sun and dipping in the sea to cool off – it’s a tough life isn’t it!?
My first Christmas away … Africa
My first ever Christmas overseas was in South Africa where it’s celebrated on 25th December due to their history with the UK. I was in Umhlanga Rocks just outside of Durban and, to be honest, it didn’t feel like Christmas at all. Maybe it’s because it’s a small place and maybe things have changed since my trip back in 1999 (check out this website for “Christmas around the world” it does appear to contradict what I experienced). There didn’t appear to be any tinsel or trees decorated with baubles, in fact quite a few shops and cafe’s were actually open on Christmas day but none of them were playing Christmas songs as we are generally used to in the UK. It just felt like any other ordinary sunny day.
I spent my morning basking in the hot sun and dipping in the sea to cool off – it’s a tough life isn’t it!?
Angie eating a Bounty chocolate bar on the beach Christmas Day
I didn’t need to book a table for lunch, I simply rocked up to Razzmatazz seafood restaurant without a booking. It was an ordinary menu charging normal prices; no traditional turkey at extortionate prices, so I ordered penne pasta which I enjoyed overlooking the beach watching families playing in the sand and leaping over the waves.
Overall, it was a pretty chilled out day which isn’t a bad thing at all, sometimes it’s nice to just slow things down and enjoy.
How does Australia compare?
I backpacked around Australia on a year’s working visa so my Christmas in 2002 was spent at Trekkers’ backpackers in Southport on the Gold Coast. I had arrived two days before which meant I had made a whole bunch of friends with whom I had been out partying with on Christmas Eve into the early hours – needless to say, Christmas day started a little bit quiet and ropey!
Overall, it was a pretty chilled out day which isn’t a bad thing at all, sometimes it’s nice to just slow things down and enjoy.
How does Australia compare?
I backpacked around Australia on a year’s working visa so my Christmas in 2002 was spent at Trekkers’ backpackers in Southport on the Gold Coast. I had arrived two days before which meant I had made a whole bunch of friends with whom I had been out partying with on Christmas Eve into the early hours – needless to say, Christmas day started a little bit quiet and ropey!
Christmas Eve partying in 70's style at Trekkers Backpackers
Australians celebrate on 25th December ... similar to UK traditional style! We had a tree with all the trimmings, decorations adorned the room plus there were secret santa gifts – distributed by Father Christmas and his elf helpers!
Lunch was the only thing that differed – traditional Aussie style meant ... a BBQ! We all sat in the sunshine filling our plates and tummies with good old fashioned Christmas tucker which included crackers on the table and typical cheesy paper hats!
A home from home really ...with the added bonus of glorious sunshine! Would love to do it again someday.
Lunch was the only thing that differed – traditional Aussie style meant ... a BBQ! We all sat in the sunshine filling our plates and tummies with good old fashioned Christmas tucker which included crackers on the table and typical cheesy paper hats!
A home from home really ...with the added bonus of glorious sunshine! Would love to do it again someday.
Christmas Day lunch - complete with crackers and paper hats!
Christmas party drinks!
Europe – my favourite place to celebrate
Most of Europe celebrate on 24th December where gifts are exchanged and their traditional family meal is enjoyed in the evening.
My absolute favourite Christmas EVER was in Iceland 2011 – in 3ft of snow! Magical! Talk about all your Christmases coming at once.
Tourism is pretty big in Iceland so decorations were a-plenty which gave it a real Christmas buzz. As Sy and I are used to celebrating on 25th December it felt natural to do the same whilst in Iceland. When we woke in the morning, to our absolute delight, snow had fallen silently during the night covering everything with nature's pristine powder white blanket. We were both super excited so quickly dressed in warm clothes and ran outside like young children!
Most of Europe celebrate on 24th December where gifts are exchanged and their traditional family meal is enjoyed in the evening.
My absolute favourite Christmas EVER was in Iceland 2011 – in 3ft of snow! Magical! Talk about all your Christmases coming at once.
Tourism is pretty big in Iceland so decorations were a-plenty which gave it a real Christmas buzz. As Sy and I are used to celebrating on 25th December it felt natural to do the same whilst in Iceland. When we woke in the morning, to our absolute delight, snow had fallen silently during the night covering everything with nature's pristine powder white blanket. We were both super excited so quickly dressed in warm clothes and ran outside like young children!
Daylight doesn’t reach Iceland until about 11.30am so the dark, empty streets were lit by pretty lights. It was very beautiful but very surreal – hardly a soul in sight. We made snow angels and loved listening to the crunchy snow underfoot, we couldn’t resist having our photo taken by the giant Christmas tree that we found in a quiet residential square.
Angie - making a "snow angel"
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Christmas tree in a quiet residential area
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Most tour companies ran excursions on Christmas Day which meant we had our hotel restaurant pretty much to ourselves! We drank champagne, ate a superbly rich but gorgeous beef lunch and it was brilliant!
Champagne before our Christmas Day lunch in Iceland
There is something about snow that touches my heart in ways I cannot explain. I hate the cold, I am the literal sense of a “sun worshipper” but there is just something so very special about a glistening blanket of white snow, especially on Christmas day. Like I said, it’s what children’s dreams are made of ... and I am clearly still a child at heart!
Iceland has a very special place in my heart, and this Christmas has yet to be beaten!
From snow to Caribbean sunshine
Iceland has a very special place in my heart, and this Christmas has yet to be beaten!
From snow to Caribbean sunshine
Christmas Tree in the Iberostar Hotel reception area
Dominican Republic was our Christmas choice in 2013, mainly because the majority of the Caribbean is super-expensive at this time of year and we couldn’t justify the cost! Dominican Republic suited our budget and we were very happy we visited!
With Spanish roots, Christmas in this Country is celebrated on 24th December and boy-oh-boy, didn’t they pull all the stops out! We stayed at the Iberostar Punta Cana and they ensured that all guests were shown Christmas in style! There was a gigantic tree in reception, decorations everywhere and at 4pm, they even arranged for Father Christmas to hand out Christmas presents to the children on the beach... he arrived in a helicopter! Rudolph must have had a cold and couldn’t lead the pack of reindeers so Santa had a helicopter instead! As you do!
With Spanish roots, Christmas in this Country is celebrated on 24th December and boy-oh-boy, didn’t they pull all the stops out! We stayed at the Iberostar Punta Cana and they ensured that all guests were shown Christmas in style! There was a gigantic tree in reception, decorations everywhere and at 4pm, they even arranged for Father Christmas to hand out Christmas presents to the children on the beach... he arrived in a helicopter! Rudolph must have had a cold and couldn’t lead the pack of reindeers so Santa had a helicopter instead! As you do!
Father Christmas arriving by helicopter to distribute presents ... naturally!
A Gala Dinner was prepared for the evening with canapés and champagne, they even had turkey carved to your liking! Gorgeous!
Carved Turkey anyone? This friendly lady with her meat cleaver will be happy to serve you.
We still wanted to celebrate on 25th December so opened our presents on the beach listening to Michael Buble’s Christmas album, then spent the rest of the morning relaxing in the scorching Caribbean sun with huge smiles on our faces.
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In the afternoon – we swam with dolphins. At the time we enjoyed this activity, sadly since our encounter we have learnt a lot more about the way dolphins are taken from the wild, and how they live in captivity for tourists' entertainment. If we would have known this at the time we definitely wouldn't have chosen this activity. In truth, I am ashamed that we participated in this event and thought about whether I should include it in this blog post. The only reason I have made this confession is in the hope people will learn why it's not good to partake in any event where you swim with dolphins, or watch a dolphin show. If you want to know the reasons why, read "The Disturbing Truth Behind your Swim with Dolphins"
In the evening on Christmas day we enjoyed a few drinks and laughs with friends we had made earlier, a lovely family who were also from England. On this occasion, being in an All Inclusive Caribbean hotel at Christmas was spot on! Another cracking holiday! This was actually Sy’s favourite Christmas away, mainly due to the hotel festivities, the enthusiasm of the staff and the fantastic food and atmosphere, not forgetting the warm Caribbean climate! Feliz Navidad!!
Asia – where we have spent our last four Christmases
Borneo was our Asian Christmas destination in 2015 and 2016, on the island of Mabul; we stayed at Scuba Junkie. We were here with a mixture of people from all over the world, some celebrated on 24th and others on 25th December ... I was prepared for both! I brought with me a bunch of Christmas hats and traditional treats like Christmas cake and stollen and shared it amongst the new friends we had made. Scuba Junkie did a fantastic job of decorating with the resources they had on the island and there were paper chains dangling from the beams, tinsel draped around the bar and paper decorations hanging from the ceiling – brilliant!
Angie with "Arnie"
On 24th December, my day was spent lazing on the beach with some friends, until we saw a few people walking excitedly past us. It transpired that the final nest of turtles were hatching!! Wow! It was amazing – we wore gloves to pick up the tiny Green Turtle to ensure we wouldn't pass any human germs or oil from sun cream onto the newborn. I named turtle Arnie (Schwarzenegger, to give him the greatest start in life) and after placing him onto the sand, I watched him scamper towards the ocean. Sy named his Bruce Lee, again for the best possible start in life – what a pair!
Incredible! Scuba Junkie are massively into conservation so they protect the nests and educate as much as they can about these adorable reptiles. They are part of Project Aware, a team of worldwide divers who are passionate about protecting the ocean. Scuba Junkie have now stopped allowing tourists to release the turtles, one of the reasons is because plastic gloves are worn and they are keen advocates in reducing single-use plastics.
Incredible! Scuba Junkie are massively into conservation so they protect the nests and educate as much as they can about these adorable reptiles. They are part of Project Aware, a team of worldwide divers who are passionate about protecting the ocean. Scuba Junkie have now stopped allowing tourists to release the turtles, one of the reasons is because plastic gloves are worn and they are keen advocates in reducing single-use plastics.
Sy with "Bruce Lee"
On 25th December, we went diving in Sipadan! I wore a Christmas hat and our guide wore a banana suit ... as you do! It was the most hilarious diving we have ever done and we had a fabulous time – despite the 5.30am early start!
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In the evening, Scuba Junkie gave us the best traditional meal they could with chicken, roast potatoes, stuffing ... even gravy! We all had a fantastic fun time and, despite meeting everyone only a day before, it really felt like we shared our day with friends.
Chilling out on Christmas Day with our new friends - check out our Christmas hats
Have you spent your Christmas away from home? How was it for you? Were you in sunshine or snow? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below – we want to know!
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