Think Christmas and you almost envision waking up to thick layers of snow on the street, snowflakes falling on the jacket, a gloriouslydecked up Christmas tree shimmering with reflections from the fireplace, sipping eggnog and of course, dozing off expecting Santa to ride through the snow and down the chimney all the way in your living room. Yes, whenever you picture Christmas, the perception is a white Christmas, a picture perfect Christmas is the one with snow for you always. But we think otherwise.

 If you have had enough of snow,then how about lazing around on a picturesque beach, sipping a Margarita and waiting for Santa to arrive sailing through the sea. Oh yes, there is always a sunny Christmas happening somewhere on the planet, while some may be in the snow.

If you want to break free of the bone-chilling cold and still want to have ‘happy holidays’, look no further. Here are some destinations that happen to be ‘up and sunny’ during Christmas and see where you want to ring in the day and get your gift from Santa this time around.

1. Australia

December is the first month of summer in Australia and hence, it is a warm and sunny Christmas out there. Get ready to usher in the day with a barbecue at the Bondi beach. Don’t miss out on Australia’s famous ‘carols by candlelight’which is something similar to open air concerts where people sit out, light candles and sing carols. This is one of the events that are distinct toan Australian Christmas. And of course, since it’s the Oz land, plum cake may replace Pavlova! If you are a cricket fan, you may want to catch the Boxing Day match live at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

2. New Zealand

A trip to New Zealand on Christmas and you will see the shades of summer all around, starting right from the Christmas tree! The tree here used is Pohutukawa, a coastal variety that grows gorgeous red blooms during this season. The celebrations include a ‘kiwi barbie’ or barbecue kiwi-style, where families and friends gather and cook together. And yes, head to the beach to greet the grand old man, Santa often seen sailing and surfing and distributing gifts. What fun!

3. Philippines

Image Source: Flickr @coffeebugg

Philippines happens to be one of the two Asian countries which are predominantly Christian. And so, get set for a celebration like no other. The country is known to have the longest Christmas season in the world, with the masses beginning early September. Celebrations continue till Epiphany, which is celebrated on the first Sunday in January. Go for the masses, caroling, the Christmas Eve mass and the midnight feast. And don’t forget to buy parol, a traditional Filipino Christmas lantern made from bamboo and paper.

Image Credit: Flickr @Jimmy_Hilario

4. Bahamas

Image Source: Flickr @mathieu.fortin

Christmas in Bahamas is all about carnivals and parades. Even though the Christmas day is usually lined up with carnivals and parties, the next day is full of them too as on the next day, also known as the Boxing Day, Bahamas celebrates Junkanoo, its national festival. Junkanoo is the carnival which dates back to 16th and 17th centuries when slaves were given aholiday on Christmas to celebrate it with their families. Their version of celebration with costumes, dance and music has now transformed in to the much anticipated event in the country’s events calendar. Dance and make merry with the floats full of dancers waltzing and swaying. Junkanoo again happens on the New Year day. So, more time for you to extend the trip and have fun!

5. South Africa

Image credit: Flickr @masroorhamid

Lot of sunshine and revelry is part of Christmas celebrations in South Africa. Largely a family affair, cities like Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town are buzzing with people, festivities, parties and fun. Caroling, nativity plays and Christmas trees glisten in the big markets and streets. Indulge in braai, South African for barbecue and traditional Christmas dessert, Malva pudding or Leker pudding. And yeah, they have the tradition of pulling Christmas crackers too!

6. Brazil

Make that trip to bold and beautiful Brazil this Christmas to get a taste of traditional and modern. You will sure be mesmerized by big Christmas trees made of electric lights adorning the cities like Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Brasilia. Attend the mass on Christmas eve ending at 1 am, head to the beach on Christmas, stroll in the markets, greet Papai Noel (Father Noel aka Santa Claus) dressed in a silk attire, enjoy a delicious dinner that includes ham and turkey and close the night with a wonderful display of fireworks. Now, that sounds like Christmas!

7. Mexico

Image Credit: Flickr @Kim F

Much like other Latin countries, Christmas celebrations in Mexico are rich in tradition and carry a warm, homely feeling with them. Highlight of a Mexican Christmas is las posadas, which means ‘the inn’ or Posada parties. For nine nights leading up to the Christmas Eve, a procession goes to every house in the neighborhood asking for shelter, recreating Mary and Joseph’s search for a place on the eve of Jesus’s birth. First denied and once given the entry, there are celebrations with food and games. Games include the famous hitting the piñata, colorful jar filled with candies suspended from a rope. This ends with a midnight mass and a lavish midnight feast. You can also catch pastorelas, the nativity plays that happen in quite an elaborate style. Lit-up streets, decorated Christmas trees and posada parties; Christmas is not the one to be missed here.

Someone rightly said, ‘At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year.’ The year is drawing to a close and if you found one or the other excuse to get caught up with work and life, this is the time to break away. Book the tickets, pack your bags and head out for a break. Usher in a sunny Christmas and pull curtains to this year in a tropical, sunshine way!

Naina Madan

From CA to advertising to writing, life has been a true roller-coaster ride. Not that I mind it. When not figuring out how to earn money to finance the travel, coffee and books, I am day-dreaming the travel, the coffee smell and virtually sniffing through new released books.

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