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THE sight of Christmas cards in shops from as early as August might irritate you, but it proves one thing – there’s plenty of opportunity to make a fortune in the run-up to the festive season.
With the country going mad for parties, pubs and presents from early December, clever agents can grab a sizeable chunk of the yuletide pot.
Shopping sprees abroad, skiing trips and new year excess, not to mention getting away from it all when the turkey’s finally finished, are just some of the things to cash in on. All you need is a little know-how.
Travel Weekly takes a look at the best places to head for the whole shebang – from where to buy gifts to where to shed your excess pounds.
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1. Christmas shopping
Where?
The whole world seems to cash in on the festive shopping experience – giving clients a phenomenal choice of destinations.
Germany and Scandinavia host some of the best traditional markets around, with decorated huts, fake snow, mulled wine and carol singers to get shoppers into the Christmas spirit. However, unless your clients are avid fans of wooden dolls the markets are probably not the ideal places for them to find gifts for all, but the magic of the experience is undeniable.
For a more practical – but still seasonal – way to complete shopping lists, suggest the big cities for that ‘everything under one roof’ experience.
London remains a firm favourite with shoppers who weave between department stores while enjoying the annual West End light display.
New York’s Manhattan turns into a festive treat this time of year with many stores trying to outbid each other on the best Christmas windows. The Big Apple is good at creating a winter wonderland experience – both Central Park and the Rockefeller Centre have outdoor ice rinks.
Sample product
Insight Vacations offers an eight-day Christmas markets tour of Scandinavia and Berlin from £885 per person including flights, all breakfasts, three dinners and accommodation in Copenhagen and Berlin.
Premier Holidays offers three nights in New York from £559 per person including flights, transfers, accommodation and discount vouchers for many of the major stores.
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2. The pre-Christmas build-up
Where?
If your festive build-up means putting on a sparkly dress and photocopying your bottom, the traditional office party is just your thing. Luckily, these events have gone upmarket in recent years, with many companies arranging group trips to the theatre, limousine transfers to restaurants, evenings in country cottages and even weekend trips abroad.
Employers are throwing serious amounts of money at their Christmas bash so be sure to let local businesses in your area know how much you can book for them.
For a sedate – and more traditional – build up to Christmas, churches are great venues for carol concerts around a Christmas tree.
Overrun with hen parties during the summer, Prague and Budapest are ideal places to get into the Christmas spirit with large decorated trees and nightly performances of The Nutcracker, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and carols sung by choirs.
Sample product
Blakes Country Cottages offers three nights in the Cotswolds from £392. The property has an open fire and sleeps six guests.
Cosmos Tourama offers four nights in Prague from £375 per person twin-share including flights, three-star accommodation and breakfast.
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3. A cosy Christmas
Where?
Skiing has always been a great pastime for those needing to get away from it all but still wanting to indulge in
a hot toddy by an open fire.
For houses that look like they’re made out of gingerbread, great ski runs and easy access, Austria remains a favourite. But Breckenridge, near Denver in the US – with its wooden huts, burning wood stoves and freshly baked cinnamon pastries – is worth the extra flying time and money.
Those wanting the cosy experience – but less skiing – should head instead to picture-postcard Stowe in Ohio, which has everything you’d want for Christmas.
Closer to home, cottage hire goes through the roof this time of year with accommodation holding from two to 20 guests, while trips to Lapland increase in popularity every year. Here guests can board a snow mobile or go in search of Santa.
Sample product
Crystal Holidays offers a week in Breckenridge from £2,334 per person twin-share, including flights, transfers and accommodation.
Cosmos offers a four-night Ready Steady Snow package to Lapland from £749 per person, including flights, full-board accommodation and a husky ride.
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4. A high-jinx New Year
Where?
While New Year’s Eve is celebrated around the world, nobody’s more passionate about it than the Scots. Known locally as Hogmanay, the whole country comes alive with parties, firework displays and dancing.
At midnight they pay tribute to the late Robert Burns by joining in a chorus of his famous Auld Langs Syne. Most visitors looking to join in the fun will head to Edinburgh for drinking, dancing and ogling at tartan-clad locals. It gets very busy, so warn clients to book early.
For something completely different, why not suggest they take to the water? Party boats pollute the Thames with their loud music and tacky lighting, but cruising is an altogether classier way to bring in the New Year. Many cruise companies now offer parties aboard their ships with gala dinners, champagne and dancing. Stop-offs at various European towns are often included in the price.
Sample product
Superbreak Mini-Holidays offers two nights at the three-star Swallow Hotel in Edinburgh from £240
per person including dinner, breakfast and tickets to the Princess Street Hogmanay party.
DFDS Seaways offers a New Year Amsterdam cruise from £219 per person, including transfers, on-board accommodation, all meals
and champagne at midnight.
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5. A post-season detox
Where?
Having eaten too much and partied too hard, attention in early January usually turns to dusting off the gym card and starting the crash diet. But detoxing doesn’t have to mean eating nothing but carrots until spring.
Chiva Som Health Resort in Thailand offers a perfect mix of exercise, relaxation and pampering including t’ai chi, massages, body scrubs, meditation, healthy eating and well-needed tranquillity.
If budgets won’t stretch that far, suggest Iceland instead for its natural spas, mud baths and lagoons in stunning settings. Full of healthy minerals, these outdoor spots are dotted all over the country, and best of all, they’re free.
A dose of hearty exercise is not to be sniffed at either with the Scottish Highlands great for rambling, walking and cycling.
Sample product
Tropical Locations offers seven nights at the Chiva Som Health Resort from £2,289 per person twin-share including flights, private transfers, a deluxe ocean-view room, all meals and a choice of treatments.
Regent Holidays offers two nights from £292 per person, including flights, transfers, two-star accommodation and breakfast.
