Published: 11/14/2025

Where to spend Christmas with family: unforgettable celebrations in 2025

Categories: Advice

Where to celebrate Christmas with family? 2025 guide to memorable stays

Spending Christmas with family means wanting to please everyone without exploding the budget. Whether you dream of snow, sun, or a warm cocoon at home, there's a magical solution for everyone. Discover our destination and activity ideas for an unforgettable Christmas, easy to organize and rich in memories.

Where to spend Christmas with family: The complete guide for memorable holidays

Destination and activity ideas for a successful family Christmas

In summary, if you're looking for a destination to spend Christmas with family that's accessible without breaking your budget, here's a list of travel ideas for the 2025 holidays:

? At home: cookie workshops, movie pajama night, festive photobooth
? In France: Christmas markets in Strasbourg or Colmar
? In the mountains: skiing and warm chalet in Tignes, Avoriaz, or Les 2 Alpes
☀️ In the sun: Canary Islands, Sicily, Algarve, or Crete for a mild and exotic Christmas
? Original stays: Lapland, theme parks, river cruise

? Bonus: an outing or family trip can also be a wonderful Christmas gift to give!

Choosing your Christmas destination: essential criteria to make the right choice

What kind of Christmas do you dream of experiencing as a family? A snowy atmosphere, illuminated markets, or a Christmas in the sun? Considering everyone's expectations and financial means will make the choice easier.

Traveling without overspending

Memorable celebrations don't require endless spending. Set a global budget for transportation, accommodation, and leisure. All-inclusive stays in France (Vosges) or abroad (Tallinn at €58/night) avoid unpleasant surprises. Last-minute deals allow you to save.

Discuss as a family and find the ideal Christmas destination

Discuss preferences: do they prefer snow, Christmas lights, or a sunny stay? The Canary Islands offer the perfect balance between discovery and relaxation.

Desired atmosphere: festive, nature, or exotic

Want traditions or escape? Opt for a Christmas market in Prague (€38/night) or a sunny atmosphere. Lapland, although magical, is not recommended for young children.

Weekend or long vacation?
Short trips or distant travels?
Specific needs: kids' club, equipped kitchen?
Want to reunite with family or escape?

By answering these questions, transform your expectations into a concrete project. The secret? Combining dreams and pragmatism for a Christmas that suits everyone without extra cost.

Reinventing the magic of Christmas without leaving home

Want to enjoy the holidays without breaking the bank? Staying at home is an economical and warm solution for families. It's the ideal opportunity to rediscover the joys of a small-group Christmas, around creative activities and unforgettable moments of sharing.

Creating a festive atmosphere with activities for everyone

Transform your home into a Christmas cocoon with crafts accessible to all. The cookie decorating workshop is always a hit: young and old have fun with icing and glitter. For budding artists, creating greeting cards or homemade snow globes (jars, glitter) remains a classic.

Want a bit of fun? Set up a Christmas photobooth with hats and glittery glasses. The photos become precious memories. A movie pajama night around classics like The Polar Bear's Christmas or Santa Claus Is a Nice Guy seals the day, with soft blankets and a bowl of popcorn.

??Are you traveling with a baby and looking for Christmas gift ideas for your infant? Chambrekids offers a selection of perfect decor gift ideas for baby's room

Organizing a friendly and stress-free celebration

For a light yet festive meal, opt for a large appetizer platter: quality cheeses and cold cuts, dried fruits, nuts, and homemade jams. A crusty baguette completes the ensemble. If cooking tires you out, a menu delivered by a local caterer lightens the preparations while supporting neighborhood merchants.

To liven up the evening, choose games that make people laugh and dance. Animate your meals or evenings with clever challenges like the "Neither yes, nor no" game that engages young and old alike. For guests who are staying overnight, prepare practical sleeping solutions for children's guests, like a wooden trundle bed, for a cozy atmosphere without clutter.

Marvel at the most beautiful Christmas destinations in France

Alsace and its authentic Christmas markets

Alsace embodies the very essence of Christmas with its traditional markets. Strasbourg, cradle of France's oldest market since 1570, immerses families in a magical atmosphere, from spectacular illuminations to gingerbread aromas. Night shows and a magical Children's Christmas enhance the experience.

In Colmar, six themed markets come alive among old half-timbered houses. The Children's Market in Petite Venise offers a universe dedicated to little ones, with carousels, mechanical nativity scene, and creative workshops. Key dates: from November 25 to December 29, 2025. Other Alsatian gems: Ribeauvillé (medieval Christmas), Eguisheim (most beautiful villages in France), and Mulhouse (38-meter Ferris wheel).

To fully enjoy these places, booking family accommodation (cottages or local hotels) is essential, as Christmas periods attract many visitors. Free shuttles or special trains facilitate travel between cities.

Big cities and their festive lights

French cities compete with ingenuity for unforgettable celebrations. Lyon, nicknamed City of Light, hosts its Festival of Lights from December 5 to 8, 2025. Artistic installations illuminate its monuments, like Place des Jacobins, while Candlelight concerts at the Chapel of the Trinity offer intimate moments.

Paris offers a range of activities for everyone: temporary ice rinks (Grand Palais des Glaces until January 8, 2025), Christmas shows at Disneyland Paris (until January 6, 2025), and department store windows. Place Vendôme hosts a free carousel until January 1, 2025.

Families will also appreciate urban events: a Ferris wheel on Place de l'Étoile, children's workshops, or the Villette market (until December 29, 2024). Nancy celebrates Saint Nicolas with video mapping on the town hall, while Toulouse amazes with a giant tree made of 400 trees on Place du Capitole.

A white Christmas with family: heading to the mountains

Dreaming of a snowy Christmas to create unforgettable memories? Opt for a mountain getaway, where fairy-tale landscapes, winter activities, and the warmth of a wooden chalet blend wonderfully. It's the ideal opportunity for active families to enjoy breathtaking natural surroundings while sharing warm moments together.

The joys of winter sports for young and old

The mountains are an ideal playground for the whole family. Children and adults alike will marvel at the toboggan runs, snowshoe walks, or first steps in alpine skiing. Many ski resorts, like Avoriaz or Chamrousse, offer special Christmas events: torchlight descents, Santa's arrival by sleigh, or fireworks.

Younger ones can even participate in baking workshops or treasure hunts organized by the resorts. For those seeking originality, Flaine offers a luminous drone ballet, while Les 2 Alpes propose evening sound performances on the Magic Avenue.

The charm of a chalet for evenings by the fire

Nothing more festive than a wooden chalet to celebrate Christmas. Accommodations like Chalet Antonin (labeled "Family +") or Chalet Husky (with spa and private driver) combine modern comfort and cozy atmosphere. Evenings are spent around board games or mulled wine tastings, after a day in the snow.

These unique places, often equipped with fireplaces, spas, or game rooms, are designed for families. Imagine yourself telling mountain legends by the fire, as in Combloux, where sleigh rides with Santa Claus add a magical touch to the experience.

Escape the cold: what if you celebrated Christmas in the sun?

Who said Christmas necessarily rhymes with snow and cold? Why not swap winter coats for bermuda shorts and twinkling lights for colorful sunsets? With temperatures around 22°C in December, sunny destinations like the Canary Islands or the Algarve offer an exotic alternative for a family Christmas, far from traditional snowflakes.

Gentle destinations without going too far

The Canary Islands, with their 8 hours of daily sunshine in December, combine mild climate and quick access. The Algarve, in Portugal, blends luminous Christmas markets, culinary discovery, and walks on the Costa Vicentina. Crete, finally, charms with its local traditions, giant nativity scenes in salt or sand, and decorated cities like Heraklion or Rethymno. These places, accessible in a few hours by plane, combine simple organization and warm atmosphere, ideal for families.

A celebration with your feet in the water

For a leap into the distance, the Caribbean or Thailand promise an unforgettable Christmas, but require a more substantial budget. The Dominican Republic, with its all-inclusive packages, or Puerto Rico, accessible without a passport for Americans, are economical options. Be careful though: flights require advance booking, especially with young children. A unique opportunity to combine dream beaches and festive traditions, provided you plan your stay well to avoid unforeseen events.

For an unforgettable Christmas: our original trip ideas

Want to step off the beaten path to celebrate Christmas with your family? Here are destinations and activities that combine magic and originality, for memories etched in time.

On Santa's trail in Lapland

Head to Lapland for a dream Christmas. Children will dive into the magical world of Santa's village, with sleighs pulled by reindeer or huskies. Snowmobile rides, ice fishing, and discovering the Finnish sauna will punctuate your days. Night in an ice hotel or viewing the northern lights? This destination requires a solid budget, but the wonder is guaranteed.

Christmas magic in a theme park

Theme parks transform into enchanted worlds for the holidays. At Astérix, enjoy Obelix's Slide or Gaulish shows. Illuminated rides and local Christmas markets will add a touch of magic to your days.

A castle stay for a fairy-tale Christmas.
A cruise on the Rhine or Danube to discover European Christmas markets.
A charitable Christmas by participating in a volunteer activity as a family.

Moreover, an outing or trip to share with family can be an excellent Christmas gift idea for your child, creating memories far more lasting than a simple object.

Our advice for a successful Christmas: the most important thing is being together

Whatever location you choose to celebrate Christmas – a mountain chalet, a sunny beach, or even your living room – the secret to a successful moment lies in human warmth. The magic ingredient is the presence of your loved ones.

Even without a spectacular setting, a family Christmas remains unforgettable if laughter flows, traditions are shared, and every gesture expresses love. This togetherness leaves precious memories, far more than gifts or meals.

The most precious moments are often the simplest: decorating the tree together, preparing Christmas cookies, or organizing a karaoke of traditional songs. These activities strengthen family bonds.

Be careful though: material expectations risk masking the essential. Decorations or outings are important, but don't replace the attention paid to everyone's emotions. It's also an opportunity to pass on values like generosity and hope.

Dare to be original this year, but remember the main objective: enjoying those we love. May this Christmas be a moment of sharing and happiness. Happy holidays to all families!

Whatever your destination — chalet, beach, or family living room — the magic of Christmas resides in the warmth of reunions. Create unique memories with laughter, traditions, and sharing. May these holidays bring you joy and togetherness. Happy holidays to all families!