When Bing Crosby was singing about a “White Christmas,” he certainly wasn’t talking about the white sandy beaches of Mexico. No, in fact, the song commemorates the holiday season by paying homage to snow-covered landscapes and frigid temperatures. Romantic, yes? But let’s be real—would you rather be freezing under a blanket of snow that makes driving too dangerous, or dipping your toes into the warm, rumbling waters of your favorite beach resort while holding a martini glass? Truth is, a palm tree can double as a Christmas tree with the right ornaments, and Santa would likely trade his red furry suit for a pair of Bermuda shorts any day. Plus, the kids can play just as easily on vacation in the sand as they can wearing thermals in front of a roaring fire. According to lore, as soon as Christmas is over, Santa himself heads for the shore! So why not consider spending Christmas at the beach?
Why Christmas at the Beach Makes Perfect Sense
Each year, more and more families, fed up with the consumerism surrounding the holiday season, are opting out of a traditional Christmas in favor of a beach getaway. In many ways, it makes perfect sense. For one thing, the kids are already out of school. You can easily spend a week at the beach for Christmas and save your summer vacation for other types of travel. In the summer, your children can swim in pools and visit local lakes, which makes a beach vacation feel pretty ordinary. But during the cold season, a retreat to the beach truly feels like an escape.
Another great reason to spend Christmas at the beach is the affordability. As long as you avoid flying on Christmas or New Year’s Day, you can find deeply discounted flights and accommodations. Most resorts consider December to be their off-season, which can mean savings of up to 75% on a typical hotel stay. Additionally, your presence will be welcomed by locals, who are likely to treat you better than they would during the busier summer months. Many resorts cater to Northern Hemisphere travelers during the holidays and plan enough Christmas festivities to keep the holiday spirit alive, even in a bikini.
Christmas is supposed to be about family. But what most families find is that they spend so much time running around during the holidays that they don’t get to enjoy each other’s company as much as they would like. Experts have even suggested that there is more stress during the holiday season than at any other time of year. Hospital emergency rooms report more stress-related illnesses in November and December than during any other two-month period of the year.
By planning a vacation, mom and dad get to relax too. Someone else will take care of the cooking and cleaning, and you might actually spend more quality family time than you would have if you stayed home. You won’t be forced to visit relatives scattered across the country, and you’ll find that you’re having fun together as a family. After all, that’s what the holiday season is really about. Unfortunately, many people put too much emphasis on gift-giving and forget that the true magic of Christmas is being with the ones you love. And where better to celebrate than at the beach?
You also can’t forget that the beach has been proven to be a sanctuary for the body, mind, and spirit. Just being in the sun, at the shore, is said to be a relaxing and healing experience for both children and adults. When you go during the off-season, without the typical tourist crowds, your vacation can be even more rejuvenating.
These are just some of the reasons to consider a Christmas beach vacation. When you have small children, it’s hard to give up the fantasy of Christmas—the tree in your living room, the excitement of presents, and your children’s joy as they open their gifts. But as your children get older, changing the scenery can be the perfect way to create lasting memories. Chances are, your children don’t remember what they got under the tree last year or the year before that. But they’ll certainly remember the fun and excitement of spending Christmas at the beach. In many ways, limiting the gifts and planning a Christmas vacation is a great way to recapture the true meaning of the season.
Oh, the places you can go! Instead of listening to Bing Crosby this holiday season, with frozen toes and a mug of hot chocolate, why not start a new family tradition listening to Jimmy Buffett (who sings Christmas songs) and sipping on a daiquiri?
