Christmas is almost upon us and the travellers amongst you are probably rushing around buying gifts in order to post them home before the big day, writing long overdue letters to loved ones and most importantly deciding what you will actually be doing on Christmas Day. We’ve put together some fun festive facts about Christmas that all travellers should be aware of to help you along the way. (Photo "Christmas Tree" by johnnyberg)Destinations to avoid
‘Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!’ – Dean Martin
While many of us want a white Christmas, there’s white and then there’s WHITE! You will probably want to think twice before heading to destinations like Sierra Nevada, which has had consistent snowfall for the last 131 years and can receive more than nine feet of new snow causing roads and ski slopes to close.
Places to find Christmas magic
“It is required of every man," the ghost returned, "that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; and, if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death.” – Charles Dickens
There are many places in the world where Christmas is truly magical. From New York City’s amazing tree display and the beautiful ice rink to the European markets, some of the biggest cities can offer you a wealth of experiences. Meanwhile, if you want to get back to the roots of Christmas, a trip to Bethlehem’s West Bank will allow you to attend midnight mass held in the spot where Jesus was born at the Church of the Nativity.
Receiving and Sending Gifts
If you received each of the gifts from the 12 Days of Christmas you would have a whopping 364 gifts – almost enough for every day of the year!
Friends and family will always want to send you gifts even if you are traveling. However, if you don’t want to add to your baggage too much, why not ask for a flight to your next destination, vouchers that can be used worldwide (for example on sites like Spafinder), a useful travel gadget, or something similar? That way you can keep relatives happy while at the same time gaining a useful experience or product.
The same applies to posting gifts home. Shop around online and get gifts shipped directly from your home country or try e-vouchers.
Christmas decorations
On average, it takes 7 years to grow a Christmas tree, although it can take up to 15.
If you don’t want to fork out on expensive Christmas decorations that you are going to have to leave behind anyway, consider smaller details such as a poinsettia plant, tinsel and fairy lights that you can easily gift to new friends on your departure. Advent calendars are another great way of getting into the festive spirit without too much hassle and they are generally disposable. If you are glued to the internet there are many travel companies running digital advent calendars allowing you to win prizes – so you can enjoy all the excitement of opening a door without having a physical calendar. (Photo "Christmas Tree" by teslacoils)
Eating and drinking
The average Christmas dinner racks up 965 calories and contains 48 grams of fat.
If you want to experience a Christmas Day meal like the locals then consider booking restaurants in advance. This is a particularly good idea if you are traveling alone or you are going to a smaller place where a lot of places might be closed. Alternatively consider couch surfing or stay with friends to ensure you have a hearty dinner and good company. Christmas can be a lonely time and a lot of attractions will be closed so it might be better to stay somewhere you have visited before to ensure you enjoy it.
