It's the most wonderful time of the year. Between the twinkling lights on a tree, the smell of freshly baked cookies, and the warm crackle of a fireplace, homes just feel extra special during Christmastime. Of course, Christmas is about more than just lights, ornaments, and presents. But if you're spending the holidays away from home, you might have some concerns about bringing the Christmas spirit to your favorite vacation resort. How can you recreate that magical feeling of being home for the holidays? Will you be able to decorate your accommodations? And — perhaps the most important question of all — will Santa be able to find you? If you're traveling to the Poconos or sunny Orlando, no matter where you're celebrating the holidays, what truly matters is spending time with loved ones. But adding a little holiday flair to your trip is a great way to get in the Christmas spirit. Here are six easy ways to bring Christmas cheer on your vacation. 1| Make it Feel Like You're “Home for the Holidays” | Recreate the traditional “at home” feel of your holiday by sprucing up your resort accommodations. Just a few small decorations can be enough to brighten up your space. Stockings, for example, are holiday must-haves that are easy to fold into your suitcase, and you can even bring along a few flat ornaments or small decorative items to liven up counters, tables, or windows. Make sure to pack any sentimental heirlooms with an added layer of protection (and bring them in your carry-on luggage during a flight). It's easy to bring along small decorations to brighten up your vacation! If it just won't feel like Christmas without a tree, you have a few different options. Miniature tabletop trees are a fun way to add holiday cheer to your room, or you can order a full-sized, artificial tree to be shipped to your resort. If you want the real deal, you can even rent a Christmas tree in resort towns like Orlando. Check Out These Related Articles Florida Vacations by The Season Beat The Heat with an Exploria Resorts Vacation Creating Family Vacation Traditions with Exploria Resorts 2 | Let Santa Know Where You're Going If your family is the type to leave out milk and cookies for Santa, your little elves might be concerned about him showing up to an empty house. Before you leave for vacation, write him a new letter, complete with your forwarding address, so he knows you're headed out on vacation (and has time to put your resort address into his reindeer GPS). You can even get high-tech with a video message or phone call from St. Nick himself. Once your kids have gotten in touch with the big man, they can rest assured knowing he's still on track despite the change of address. “Dear Santa… We're going to celebrate Christmas in Orlando this year! We'll see you there…” 3 | Save the “Big” Gifts for When You Get Back | Pick and choose which presents you'll give on vacation, and which ones are better left for when you return. Not only will this help with packing, but it will also save a little holiday magic for after your trip. Remember: The elves at TSA recommend against traveling with wrapped gifts, so plan on doing your wrapping at your destination (or ship your wrapped gifts directly to your resort). Either way, leave any “big” gifts for when you get home. If you need a stand-in for Christmas morning, a wrapped photo or a hint (like a smaller gift that could be used with it) will be a big hit. 4 | Start the Celebration with a Pajama Party | Start your holiday celebrations on the first night of your trip with new holiday pajamas for the whole family. Whether they're themed reindeer onesies or more traditional sets, this will make for a fun photo opportunity (maybe even next year's Christmas card) and set the tone for the rest of the trip. This could even become a new holiday tradition! 5 | Take Your Favorite Scents with You | Sometimes a certain smell can transport you directly to a memory or feeling. Think about what Christmas smells like to you. Evergreen? Gingerbread? Peppermint? Bring your favorite scents of the season as room sprays, plug-ins, or wax melts. Safer than candles, any of these options can help fill your space with that familiar home-for-the-holidays scent your family knows and loves. 6 | Make Time for Holiday Fun | The holidays are all about traditions, but this is your opportunity to do something different and make new Christmas memories. Do a little research before your trip to find some seasonal attractions in the area and put some fun on the agenda. Whether it's a massive Christmas light display in Branson, Missouri, or Disney Very Merriest After Hours at Walt Disney World in Florida, there are plenty of opportunities to add some extra cheer to your vacation. Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida If you're traveling for the holidays this year, a few extra touches can make your Christmas celebration feel every bit as traditional as it would back at home. With a little planning — and a lot of holiday spirit — you can have a very merry Christmas no matter where you're celebrating. Book Your Exploria Resorts Stay Today For more information about Summer Bay Orlando by Exploria Resorts, or any of our luxurious vacation resorts, visit our website at exporiaresorts.com. And check out our vacation planning page for ideas about how you can take your next vacation with Exploria Resorts!
