5 Ways to Celebrate Christmas While Traveling

By Precious White

There could be a number of reasons people travel for Christmas, including for visiting relatives, travel experiences, work assignments, studies, and the like. If you're one of those people, Christmas doesn't have to pass without its due recognition. Although there's no place like home, 
It is possible to celebrate Christmas while traveling. Here are five ways to make the most of Christmas on-the-go.

1. Find local Christmas events

If you're traveling within the United States, finding a local Christmas celebration shouldn't require too much effort. There are always events happening at local churches, community centers and parks and recreation centers. If you're traveling overseas to another country with Christian traditions, there should be a lot of opportunities available. Even if you don't speak the local language, experiencing how other parts of the world celebrate Christmas is a chance of a lifetime. So soak up some local traditions and share the love. You may even bring some of those traditions home and call them your own.

2. Connect with family and friends back home

With all the technology access worldwide, linking up with family and friends from home isn't hard to do. Call, Skype, Facetime or email your favorite people to make it feel more like Christmas. Even short video chats can make a blip in time feel like forever. 

3. Take something from home with you

Take special mementos with you that best represent Christmas. It's often the little things that fit into a corner of our suitcase that mean the most. A card, ornament, stuffed animal or voice message from your family may be just what you need to avoid feeling isolated this holiday.

4. Gather your friends or make new ones

It's a lot more enjoyable if you can celebrate with someone else at Christmas time. Try to share the occasion with at least one other person. This might include your travel companion(s), people you've recently met and made connections with or family and friends you know in the country in  which you're visiting. Just do your best not to spend the day alone if spending quality time with 
others is a priority.

5. Give the gift of your time

Happiness is often found in helping others. Find a way to do something good for someone else. Friends and relatives are obvious choices, but perhaps doing something important for a person you don't know so well would lead you on the path to feeling the Christmas spirit. It will remind you that helping others is the reason for the season, even overseas. You will not go to bed feeling you haven't had your Christmas. Guaranteed.

Editor's note: Precious White is a local Paulding resident and former educator in the Paulding County School System. She recently opened a travel agency and will be sharing tips and ideas with Patch on a weekly basis.