If your family doesn’t celebrate Christmas, the day itself may make you feel a bit left out – thanks to all the fanfare of presents, Christmas dinner and an overload of festive movies on TV.
But that needn’t be the case this year. Not, that is, if you organise a non-Christmas gathering of your own. Well, with family and friends too, of course. For instance, you could:
Visit some outdoor tourist attractions
For once, you’ll actually get front-row views of the popular sites, such as Lulworth Cove on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset or the stone circle at Avebury. Or go for a hike up the Cobbler in Scotland or up the many peaks in the Lake District. Just check that the car parks are open, though. Some of the public toilets might also be closed.
Embark on a city walking tour
Breath-taking cities you can pretty much have to yourself on Christmas morning include Cambridge, Oxford, St Andrews, and York. Go and enjoy their beauty without the crowds. There’s London too, where you can visit and see the famous tourist attractions from afar (i.e. they may be closed but you’ll still be able to admire the architecture). Imagine getting great photos of the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace – without any strangers photobombing. Use a guidebook or audiobook to avoid missing out on anything.
Take a coach trip
A number of companies run special coach trips on December 25. Depending on where you are, they’ll take you to local scenic spots, such as Stonehenge, Bath, Windsor etc.
Go to the zoo
Take a trip to visit the famous pair of pandas and wait for the penguins to have their afternoon tea time at Edinburgh Zoo. It’ll be so quiet you won’t have to fight the crowds for a ringside seat.
Visit an animal rescue centre
Yes, it might be Dec 25, but those dogs at your local RSPCA or Dogs Trust will still want their daily walk. At this time of the year, the centres need volunteers to help out. If you’re a family or group of dog lovers, then this is a lovely way to spend an alternative Christmas. There’s also the bonus of exercise at the same time. So, while everyone else is stuffing themselves full of turkey and trifle, you’re actually getting fitter and slimmer. Result!
Volunteer some time to help the homeless
Homeless centres up and down the country are often desperate for volunteers to help cook, plate up food, serve the meals and clear up afterwards. The charity Crisis has centres in Newcastle, London, Oxford, Birmingham and Edinburgh, for instance.
There’s plenty to do on Dec 25th in the UK, and if you’re abroad for the period, then you might find Christmas isn’t celebrated in such a way as it is here.
@Schooldays_ie: “In Spain, Santa Claus is low-key, and the 25th is the day for a large family dinner. In Scandinavia, people celebrate a big dinner on the 24th and a smaller meal on the 25th.”
There are some beautiful areas of Great Britain to explore, and however you spend your day, we hope you enjoy time together with your family and friends.