Spending Christmas Abroad.

This isn’t my first year celebrating my Christmas abroad, however it’s the first time I haven’t had a Christmas at home. I’m somewhat sad about it since I do love Christmas, but I did prep for it by writing Christmas cards before I left, and wishing everyone love before I left.

Here are a few ways to celebrate the holidays when you’re abroad

Find people you know to spend the holidays with

Do you know of anyone else from home traveling in the area? Do you know anyone that you have met along your travels that would be interested in meeting back up? Part of the warmth and joy around Christmas for me is being around people you know and love. I’m lucky that I have a few friends that are in the area and my plan is to meet up with at least one of them

Pick a spot where you can create a home base for a few days over the holidays

I don’t know about you, but the thought of sleeping on a hostel bed among other screaming and drunk people doesn’t sound enticing for Christmas Eve. Call me old fashioned, but I wouldn’t mind sleeping in a real bed, being surrounded by a few people, maybe finding a makeshift tree, having breakfast together, the works.

Have a meal with friends to celebrate

Try and find a few people that want to celebrate with you for a Christmas dinner. Go out, prepare a meal in, just try and get a few people to sit around a table, talk about what you’re grateful for, and share stories.

Make the best out of it

Let’s just say that all else fails, you don’t know of anyone that wants to meet up over the holidays, or you can’t create a home base. Just keep a positive mindset and remember that your experience is what you make out of it. Maybe your Christmas is something the opposite of what you’ve planned and maybe that’s okay. Like I’ve said in a few other posts, remember to go with the flow and make the best out of every situation. Too much planning can sometimes prohibit the ability for something amazing to happen.

Who knows what this year will bring with my group, I could be with one friend or 5, but I know that I’ll make the best out of it, whether I’m on the beach in Cambodia, or in the Jungle in Thailand, or in a little hostel surrounded by complete strangers.

Lots of love and Happy Holidays.

-E