After spending a couple of years abroad and spending Christmas time away from family, it is easy to see how you can get a bit down in the dumps during the holidays. It doesn’t have to be like that. Below are our top 5 tips for spending Christmas abroad and how you can make it exciting rather than a day you’re stuck at home missing your family!

The festive season has plenty on offer regardless if it is your first or third Christmas abroad.

Here are five ways to help you cope with spending Christmas abroad without your family:

#1 Book a holiday with friends

Not just any holiday, you need to go somewhere that Christmas is in full swing. I would suggest somewhere in Germany, Austria or Switzerland. Christmas markets are incredible and spending time in a city where Christmas is everywhere is really fantastic.

Christmas – Skiing St Anton am Arlberg, Austria

#2 Connect with other expats and make your own Christmas traditions

One of the most memorable Christmas dinners was one we had in London. We were a group of expats with a local thrown into the mix. We enjoyed a mix of traditions for our dinner (I made pavlova for dessert) and played Dirty Santa and really had a great time.

#3 Get into the Christmas Spirit

Decorate your apartment with Christmas decorations, play some music and get involved in the community! If you’re in London, check out the Winter Wonderland which will surely get you in the mood to celebrate!

#4 Buy yourself a gift

As silly as it sounds, make sure you put your Christmas tree up and buy yourself a present and put it under! It is always nice to open up a present on Christmas morning.

#5 Spend time with locals

Get to know how the locals spend Christmas! If you have made some friends at work, patiently wait for an invitation to join them and their family for Christmas day.

“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination with reality, and instead of thinking of how things may be, see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson