Do your stress levels and emotions go into a tailspin in the lead-up to Christmas day? Do you dread having to deal with unpleasant relatives, family drama, and round-the-clock preparations for Christmas lunch? If you answered yes to both of these questions or are simply someone who would rather skip the usual (predictable) Christmas festivities, alternative Christmas celebrations are made for you.
The truth is, the most wonderful time of the year can bring a ton of anxiety to many people’s lives – whether due to financial constraints, family issues, or more. Not everyone enjoys the idea of a traditional Christmas get-together (and that’s fine!), which is why seeking alternative measures leading up to the festive season is key. Served for ideas? Well, you’re in luck. Today, we share 6 alternative Christmas celebration ideas that are guaranteed to inject some spectacular fun into this upcoming holiday season, so read on to find out more!
1. Spend Christmas Day At Your Favourite Restaurant
If toiling over the stove for hours on end isn’t exactly your idea of a Feliz Navidad, why not consider spending Christmas day at your favorite restaurant? Contrary to popular belief, the world doesn’t simply shut down over the Christmas season. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of amazing restaurants dedicated to serving up a sumptuous Christmas lunch to Aussies all over the nation. There are plenty of places to have an amazing Christmas lunch, ranging from all-you-can-eat buffets to multi-course meals that will warrant a stretchy pair of pants. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, traditional roasted meats, delectable desserts, or even a plant-based Christmas feast, you can rest assured that a myriad of restaurants open on Christmas Day to satisfy every member of the family or friend group.
So, the next time you’re looking for alternative Christmas party venues in Adelaide, look towards your favorite restaurant for a fun afternoon full of good food, wine, and conversation with your family, friends, and loved ones!
2. Take The Festivities To The Beach
As one of the very few countries in the world that gets to celebrate Christmas in the middle of Summer, Aussies are lucky enough to be able to spend Christmas day chilling on the beach, with a delicious cocktail in hand. If a formal sit-down lunch or dinner isn’t your cup of tea, heading to your nearest beach or favorite seaside destination is a great way to celebrate in an easy, relaxed, and fuss-free manner. Why not pack your favorite beach-friendly snacks, drinks, and sweets to share with family and loved ones? Alternatively, treat your loved ones to a delicious seaside meal at a beachfront restaurant to embrace the concept of Christmas in Summer.
Moral of the story: Instead of hosting or attending a fancy and overly-elaborate Christmas gathering, you can opt to relax at the beach with the people you love the most. No stress, no obligations, no fancy parties. PS: Don’t forget the sunscreen.
3. Celebrate On The Other Side Of The World
With COVID-19 travel restrictions and requirements now being eased in the majority of countries, travel has never been easier than it is in 2022. If spending Christmas at home makes you feel more jaded than joyful, we highly recommend hopping on a plane and jet-setting to your favorite holiday destination this festive season. After a long and tiring year of hard work, nothing beats rewarding yourself with a much-deserved holiday.
Whether you decide to travel solo or adventure with friends and family, soaking up different cultures and experiencing the festive season abroad can be one of life’s most exciting and memorable experiences. Rent a villa in Tuscany, look up at the world’s tallest Christmas tree in Germany, or marvel at the thousands of beautiful lights on the Champs Elysees — the options are endless when celebrating Christmas abroad.
Top Tip: Not the biggest fan of spending Christmas in the sweltering heat? Simply choose to switch hemispheres and treat yourself to a wonderful white Christmas in the United States, Canada, or even South Korea!
4. Spread Christmas Joy To The Less Fortunate
Amidst the parties, presents, and commercialization of Christmas, it can be all too easy to forget about those who may not be as lucky as us this festive season. Christmas can be a tough time for many people, including those who are physically/mentally ill, homeless, lonely, recently bereaved, or struggling to make ends meet. If you are looking to make a difference this year, we encourage you to find ways to spread Christmas joy to the less fortunate. This could be as simple as volunteering at your local soup kitchen or food bank to prepare hot meals for the homeless, donating to your favorite local charity, or preparing care packages and goodie bags for vulnerable children in your community. You could even consider donating blood to the Australian Red Cross which often experiences shortages in life-saving blood stocks during the holidays.
Explore a few simple ways of helping the less fortunate this Christmas season here.
5. Catch Up With Nature
When was the last time you had the chance to spend a couple of days fully immersed in nature? The Christmas season is hectic, to say the least. With so much party planning, present shopping, and socializing to do, it is not uncommon for many people to feel exhausted, drained, and disconnected from nature during the festive season. If you want to get away from the hustle, bustle, and noise of Christmas, we highly recommend spending a few days catching up with nature. Whether it’s as simple as planning a hike at your nearest nature reserve, heading on a camping trip with family, or even booking yourself into a silent retreat, disconnecting from the norm can be a fantastic way to recharge, rejuvenate and refresh after a long and tiring year.
Top Tip: if you live in an urban neighborhood and don’t have the luxury of nearby parks, nature reserves, or camping grounds, we recommend heading to the nearest botanical gardens, animal sanctuary, or wildlife zoo for a peaceful afternoon away from the Christmas flurry.
6. Binge Watch Your Favourite Christmas Movies
Last but not least, if you are a homebody who would rather stay inside than attend parties or bracing the crowd outdoors, nothing is better than spending Christmas Day binge-watching your favorite Christmas movies. Research has even found that human brains are conditioned to feel good when we watch our favorite, cheesy, sometimes trashy Christmas movies. If science agrees, then it must be a good idea…right? So, if you’re not in the mood to celebrate or head outside this upcoming Christmas Day, we recommend preparing your favorite meal (treat yourself!), getting comfy on your couch or bed, and watching to your heart’s content. Do it alone, do it with your best friend, or simply enjoy your favorite movies with your beloved pet. The choice is entirely yours, so go forth and conquer!
Explore 40 of the best classic Christmas movies of all time here.
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And there you have it – 6 alternative Christmas celebrations that offer a much-needed retreat away from the traditional festivities in 2022. Whether you’re an introvert, pressed for time, or simply tired of the norm, these unconventional celebration ideas are guaranteed to inject fun, excitement, and joy into your holiday season.
What are some of your favorite alternative Christmas celebration ideas? We’d love to hear about them, so don’t be shy — leave a comment in the comments section below. Happy Holidays!