Christmas holidays in the sun are the dream, aren't they? Leaving all the responsibilities of organising and cooking on Christmas Day to jet off somewhere warm and relax on the beach.
You don't have to give up the whole idea of celebrating the festive season either, as escaping to a Christmas holiday destination still allows for the chance to meet Father Christmas and soak up the yuletide spirit – just somewhere sunnier and in your swimsuit!
For those who don't wish to celebrate the big day and prefer to have an alternative Christmas, there are many things you can do instead, from whale watching to riding the world's fastest rollercoaster – how's that for a Christmas to remember?
And you'll be pleased to know that winter sun holidays aren't just for the rich and famous, as we've found some trips that won't cost a fortune, whether you're looking for cheap Christmas holidays, all-inclusive Christmas holidays or simply some great Christmas holiday deals.
Here are the places we've got our eye on for a Christmas escape in the sun, whether you wish to travel as a couple or a family.
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Los Cabos
One of the most exciting destinations for winter 2019 is celebrity hotspot Los Carbos in Mexico thanks to the new direct flights from London launching in November. If you've always wanted to bump into George Clooney, this could be your chance as the actor, among other A-listers, is a fan of this sparkling beach destination.
In the run-up to Christmas Day, there are parties to attend, Mexican culture to soak up and whales to spot.
BOOK IT TUI offers a seven-night holiday staying at Royal Solaris Los Cabos on an all-inclusive basis from £1,270 per person, with flights from Gatwick on 19 December plus transfers included.
Algarve
For a short-haul European Christmas holiday in the sun, look no further than Portugal's Algarve, where you can make the most of mild temperatures (highs of around 18 oC) and great value sunshine.
Perfect for families or couples looking to escape Christmas in the UK, Albufeira, Praia da Rocha, Vilamoura and Lagos are Algarve locations where you'll find the palm trees sparkling with Christmas trees and events for children to enjoy.
BOOK IT Grab a cheap seven-day holiday from On the Beach for as little as £199 per person, staying at Hotel Brisa Sol, close to Albufeira's famous Old Town and the beautiful sandy beach.
Abu Dhabi
While many British travellers head for Dubai for their Christmas breaks in the sun, neighbouring emirate state Abu Dhabi is just as much fun. You can meet Father Christmas in the malls, experience Winter Wonderland on Al Maryah Island and visit stunning sandy beaches, like Saadiyat.
When it comes to Christmas Day, you can make it one to remember by heading to the theme parks on Yas Island: Ferrari World, where you'll find the world's fastest rollercoaster, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World.
BOOK IT British Airways has seven-night holidays to Abu Dhabi, departing on 23 December from £968 per person, including flights.
Paphos
In Cyprus, you can bask in temperatures nearing 20oC while the coastal city puts on a Christmassy display from 24 December until 6 January – expect streets and shops decorated with festive lights.
Paphos is a lovely spot if you're looking to get into the spirit. You'll find Christmas markets, cosy tavernas with fireplaces and pomegranates eaten to celebrate good fortune. If it's Christmas snow you're after, the nearby Troodos Mountains are likely to be covered in the white stuff in December, giving you the best of both worlds.
BOOK IT On the Beach offers a seven-day holiday staying at the beachfront Capital Coast Resort and Spa, with its two pools, a spa and restaurant and bar, from £343 per person. The price includes flights from Stansted on 22 December.
Caribbean
If you love the idea of being away for Christmas but wouldn't want to be away from the family on the day itself, a Caribbean cruise in mid-December could be the answer. Giving you that much-needed tropical sun before you return to the woollies in time for Christmas Day, a winter cruise is a fantastic way to take in various hot weather destinations.
From Fort Lauderdale in Florida to the Cayman Islands, you can expect glistening white sands and turquoise waters as you soak up that vitamin D.
BOOK IT Good Housekeeping Holidays is offering an 11-day cruise and stay holiday for you to explore vibrant Miami for a few days before a six-day sailing in the Caribbean. The full-board cruise costs from £1,349 per person.
The clever travel essentials you never knew you wanted
LAY-N-GO Cosmo make-up bag
Selfridges
£29
Lay out all of your make-up in one place and quickly pack it up again with the ultimate cosmetic bag for travellers. There’s even a pocket to store your jewellery.
Take control of the sound in your holiday environment with this USB-charged machine that masks noise which can disturb sleep or concentration through its sound options, including bright white noise, deep white noise or gentle surf.
Ideal for sleeping in dry hotel rooms, this portable dehumidifier secures over a water bottle to add moisture to the air.
Not just trendy-looking cabin luggage, this smart case uses a lithium ion battery so you can charge your phone on the go. It's a great gift for the traveller in your life, too.
...And you can keep tabs on your bag with this intelligent little tile that you pop into the luggage tag and attach to you case before tracking it with your phone. It makes for a great travel gift, too.
Inflatable, foldable and lightweight, these blow-up hangers are ideal for packing in your suitcase, as you never know if there will be enough in your hotel wardrobe.
Comfortable to wear on the plane, in the car or in your hotel room when noise stops you from sleeping, these earplugs use sound reduction filters and feature personal volume control.
If you're not staying in a fancy hotel with a Nespresso coffee machine in your room or just want to enjoy your favourite brew whenever and wherever you are on holiday, this portable espresso machine will come in handy.
Washing your clothes on holiday is now quick and easy with this portable washing machine. Just add your clothes, water and a drop of washing liquid, seal tight and rub for a few minutes on the internal, flexible washboard before rinsing.
The ultimate baggage compressor, this little device sucks up all the extra space in your luggage within minutes by easily compressing your clothes in a vacuum bag so you can buy more and pack more.
Designed by a former flight attendant who watched endless passengers struggle to sleep on flights, this travel pillow with a three-way support system helps keep your head, neck and chin completely supported while you snooze.
Keep your valuables close with this silk pouch you simply snap over your bra strap. The small pocket is great for stashing your money and credit cards.
This easy-to-use steamer is a the perfect alternative to carrying a travel iron. It's harmless to even delicate fabrics and will remove creases and unfresh odours.
Just what you need for packing light on a beach holiday, this lightweight and water-resistant blanket can be used for picnics too and features weights at each corner to stop it being blown away.
For when the in-flight pillow just won’t do, this mulberry silk pillow with a matching sleep mask was created to provide the ultimate combination of shine, thickness, softness and durability
Want to be a more organised packer? These nifty cubes help you pack your clothes neatly while providing compression so you can fit more into your case. Genius!
A great gift for the business traveller who has everything, this hard case will protect a shirt from creasing and is lightweight and compact enough to pack in a laptop bag or backpack.
