How to Spend Christmas Away From Home: The Ultimate Guide

This blog post is about how to spend Christmas away from home.

I absolutely love Christmas. There’s something so magical about the entire season.

The excitement in the air, the cosiness of nights spent with loved ones, the aroma of festive food cooking in the kitchen, and, of course, the traditions that make this time of year so special.

I look forward to watching all the classic movies, indulging in mince pies, decorating the tree, and spending time with family.

There’s nothing quite like those moments of curling up under a blanket with hot chocolate, surrounded by twinkling lights, while Home Alone or The Holiday plays in the background.

But sometimes, life takes us away from home, and Christmas has to be celebrated differently. This is my guide to spending Christmas away from home.

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This blog post is all about spending Christmas away from home.

My Christmas Away From Home

For the past few years, since my boyfriend and I met while living in New York, we’ve made it our little tradition to head back to New York for Christmas.

It’s our way of experiencing a bit of holiday magic, even when we’re far from family and the usual comforts.

While it’s not always easy being away from loved ones, I’ve learned that there are plenty of ways to make Christmas feel just as special, even when you’re miles away from home.

Check out my YouTube vlog below of our time in New York around the Christmas period to see what we get up to and how we spend Christmas away from home.

Try Spending Christmas Away From Home

Spending Christmas away from home or in a new place can actually be an incredible experience, full of surprises and opportunities to create new traditions.

It’s all about finding ways to blend a bit of home with your surroundings and embracing the festive season in your own unique way.

So, whether you’re planning a holiday getaway, moving abroad, or simply spending Christmas away from home and somewhere new this year, here are my top 15 tips for making your Christmas away from home as magical and memorable as possible.

15 Tips for Spending Christmas Away From Home

Below are my top tips if you’re spending Christmas away from home this year. It might be daunting the first time, but I love it.

Of course I miss my family, but it’s also fun to experience Christmas in new countries and to experience how other people celebrate the holiday.

Plus, what’s more magical than waking up in New York City on Christmas Day? I feel like Kevin from Home Alone every single time.

Wherever you end up spending Christmas this year, I hope it’s a good one!

1. Create Your Own Traditions

Just because you’re not at home doesn’t mean you can’t start new traditions.

Whether it’s baking cookies on Christmas Eve, opening a small gift each morning, or having a festive movie marathon, find ways to create traditions that are unique to you and your loved ones.

2. Decorate Your Space

No matter where you’re spending Christmas away from home, adding a bit of festive cheer can make all the difference.

Bring along a mini Christmas tree, some fairy lights, or a few ornaments to decorate your space. It instantly makes everything feel more Christmassy and will lift your spirits.

3. Watch Your Favourite Christmas Movies

There’s nothing like snuggling up with a classic Christmas movie to get you in the holiday spirit.

Whether it’s Home Alone, Elf, or It’s A Wonderful Life, make time to watch your favourite festive films, even if you’re far from home.

4. Cook a Christmas Meal

If you love Christmas dinner as much as I do, try to recreate your favourite dishes wherever you are.

It might not be exactly the same, but cooking a roast, some stuffing, or even just baking Christmas cookies can bring a bit of home to your holiday.

Last Christmas, we had a jam-packed Christmas weekend in London and toured the festive lights and then came home to cook a Christmas dinner, watch Christmas movies and exchange presents. You can see this in my London YouTube vlog below:

5. Celebrate Christmas Early with Your Family

This tip doesn’t work if you already live abroad, but if you’re going to be on holiday over Christmas, why not celebrate early with your family?

You don’t need to go all out, but maybe have a Sunday roast together and exchange a present or two before you leave.

It’s a lovely way to still share the holiday spirit with those you love before you head off.

6. Find Somewhere That Does Christmas Dinner

If you’re craving a traditional Christmas dinner, do some research to find out if any local restaurants, British, or Irish pubs offer one.

Reach out to them early to make sure they’re serving it and book in advance. It’s a great way to get that taste of home, even when you’re miles away.

7. Embrace the Local Culture and Surroundings

One of the best parts of spending Christmas in a new place is experiencing how other cultures celebrate the holiday.

Take the opportunity to try different festive foods, participate in local holiday events, or explore your surroundings.

For example, if you’re in Sydney, why not spend Christmas Day at Bondi Beach? It might not be your usual Christmas experience, but that’s what makes it special!

Or if you find yourself in London, make sure to check out all that the city has to offer. You can see what we got up to last year in London in my YouTube vlog where we explored the Christmas lights, Winter Wonderland and more.

8. Call or Video Chat with Family and Friends

Just because you’re far away doesn’t mean you have to miss out on family time.

Schedule a call or video chat with your loved ones on Christmas Day to share stories, open gifts together, or just enjoy a virtual festive moment.

9. Plan a Christmas Day Activity

Instead of spending the whole day indoors, plan an activity that you wouldn’t normally do.

Go for a hike, explore a local market, hit the beach (if you’re somewhere warm), or take a stroll through a snowy park. It’s a great way to make new memories.

RELATED blog post to read: How to Spend Christmas Day in New York City

10. Exchange Gifts with Your Travel Companion

If you’re spending Christmas with your partner, friends, or fellow travellers, plan a little gift exchange.

It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant, just a small, thoughtful gift that shows you’re thinking of each other can make the day feel more special.

11. Don’t Pack All Your Presents

While it might be tempting to bring all your presents with you, it’s often more practical to leave most of them at home and open them before or after your trip.

However, make sure to take one or two small gifts with you to exchange and open on Christmas Day. It adds a bit of magic to your day away from home.

12. Listen to Christmas Music

Create a playlist of your favourite Christmas tunes and let it be the soundtrack to your holiday.

It’s amazing how quickly Christmas music can make you feel festive, even if you’re far from home.

13. Keep Up Your Traditions

If there’s a tradition you always do at home, find a way to incorporate it into your holiday.

For example, before heading back to Wales and Ireland for the holidays, my boyfriend and I always have our own Christmas day together.

We start with a walk to get a coffee, come back to our flat with Christmas music playing, cook ourselves a Christmas dinner, and then spend the evening watching Home Alone 2 and It’s a Wonderful Life while exchanging presents.

It’s one of our favourite traditions and makes the season feel extra special.

14. Volunteer or Give Back

If you’re feeling a bit homesick, volunteering can be a great way to connect with others and also spread some holiday cheer.

Look for local charities, soup kitchens, or community events where you can give back and make a difference.

15. Embrace the Adventure

The most important tip is to embrace the adventure.

Spending Christmas away from home might not be what you’re used to, but it’s a chance to create new memories, try new things, and see the holiday from a different perspective.

And so, it might just become your new favourite way to celebrate!

Have A Lovely Christmas Away From Home

I hope these tips help make your Christmas away from home feel a little more magical.

Whether you’re celebrating in a bustling city, a quiet beach town, or somewhere completely unexpected. There’s always a way to make the season special.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, wherever you may be spending Christmas away from home!

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By Orlagh Shanks

Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.

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This blog post is all about spending Christmas away from home.

My Christmas Away From Home

Try Spending Christmas Away From Home