The shopping is done (for the most part), the presents are wrapped and the kitchen is bulging with food and drink, all that’s left to do now is enjoy the big day.
Even if there are a few bits and bobs that still need doing, Christmas Eve is all about relaxing and looking forward to Christmas Day.
But once the excitement of the big day, and the subsequent recovery on Boxing Day, is all done and dusted, what happens next?
Betwixt Christmas and New Year is a slightly odd time, a time when millions of us are off work all at the same time – and wondering what to do with ourselves.
The novelty of our presents has worn off a little, we can’t bear another turkey sandwich, and New Year’s Eve is still a few days away.
This weird, but very enjoyable, limbo has been dubbed Twixtmas – and is a great opportunity to do something a little different.
It’s not enough time to have a full-blown holiday, but there are plenty of options available to fill the Twixtmas void. So, what should you get up to?
Skiing in Manchester
We hate to break it you, but a white Christmas does not look like a possibility this year. Luckily, you can enjoy the next best thing at the Chill Factore indoor ski and snowboard slope in Manchester.
The biggest of its kind in the UK, the Chill Factore caters for skiers and snowboarders of all ages. There are lessons available for beginners, while the more advanced can hit the 180-metre long real snow slope.
Shopping in London
January sales that actually start in January are a thing of the past, as retailers rush to slash prices and clear stock the second Christmas Day is over.
So, why not hit London’s Oxford Street and bag yourself a bargain before all the good deals have been snapped up? That’s if you can face the high street after all that Christmas shopping!
A Royal Christmas on the Isle of White
Add a bit of class to your Twixtmas with a visit to Osborne House, on the Isle of White. This stunning stately home was Queen Victoria’s residence of choice for Christmas, and it’s easy to see why.
Located right on the beach, Osborne House is full of interesting artefacts, stunning artwork and plenty of history.
Head abroad, briefly
A fully fledged holiday won’t be for everyone at this time of year, but a quick trip to one of our neighbours is most definitely on the cards.
So why not pop over to Dublin for a few days to see how the Irish embrace Twixtmas? It may seem like the sort of destination you would reserve for New Year’s Eve, but there is plenty to keep you entertained in this vibrant city.
From outdoor ice rinks to festive pantos, Christmas parties to art exhibitions, there is all sorts to do in Dublin at this time of year.
Get into the NYE spirit
Let’s be honest, much of Twixtmas is spent looking forward to New Year’s Eve. We’ve had a few dodgy New Year’s Eve events in the past, but this year is an opportunity to have a night you’ll remember forever.
If there’s one place that knows what it’s doing when it comes to New Year’s Eve, it’s Scotland. So, why not head north of the border to get yourself into the New Year spirit?
Hogmanay celebrations are held in towns and cities all over Scotland, but head to Edinburgh for one of the biggest and best.
