Celebrating Christmas Abroad: How to Turn Any Hotel, Airbnb, or Holiday Home Into a Festive Wonderland
Traveling during the holidays is magical, but celebrating Christmas abroad can feel different when you’re not at home. The good news? With thoughtful preparation and a few festive BoxFetti Christmas essentials you can turn any hotel room, Airbnb, or holiday rental into a warm and cosy festive space your whole family will adore.
Whether you’re escaping winter, exploring a new destination, or visiting family abroad, here’s how to bring your favourite Christmas traditions with you, no matter where you are in the world.
Let Santa Know Where You’ll Be Staying
Before your trip, let the kids write a letter to Santa, explaining where you will be celebrating Christmas this year. It reassures little ones that Santa knows exactly where to find them.
Make the arrival magical:
✨ Call your hotel in advance and ask them to place an advent calendar in the room
✨ Request a small welcome note or Christmas cookie “from Santa”
Simple touches that make Christmas abroad feel truly special.
Bringing Your Elf on the Shelf (or Traveling Elf!)
If your family has an Elf on the Shelf or a Danish nisse, they can absolutely join your Christmas travels, elves travel extremely well!
Pack your elf like this:
• Place him safely in a food container
• Add a cute elf passport
• Include elf cash for fun setups abroad
• Bring a few lightweight props or printables
Kids LOVE discovering what the elf gets up to in a hotel room or Airbnb — new environments = new mischief!
How Santa Handles Gifts When You Travel
Suitcase space is limited during Christmas travel, especially when Santa brings large gifts like scooters or bikes! That’s why Santa usually leaves the bigger presents at our home in Dubai.
We take photos of the gifts under the tree at home, so the kids still feel the magic… without us trying to pack a scooter into a suitcase!
A practical and magical solution perfect for families celebrating Christmas abroad.
Christmas Travel Hack: Use Decompression Bags
The BEST packing trick for Christmas abroad?
👉 Decompression (vacuum) bags.
They help you:
• Save tons of suitcase space
• Compress bulky pyjamas, sweaters & décor
• Stay organised
• Create more room for stocking fillers
Truly the best Christmas travel purchase for families.
What to Pack for a Magical Christmas Abroad
High-impact, lightweight items are key to turning any space into a festive holiday home.
1. BoxFetti Christmas Stockings
Bring your family’s BoxFetti Christmas stockings so Christmas morning still feels familiar.
How to hang stockings in a hotel or Airbnb:
• Command hooks
• Ribbon tied to wardrobe handles or door frames
✨ Want to make it super easy?
Order one of BoxFetti’s ready-made stocking bundles, already filled with festive treats perfect for Christmas abroad.
2. Mini Travel-Friendly Christmas Tree
A mini tree creates instant holiday magic, and takes up very little space.
Bring:
Marks & Spencer mini trees are suitcase-friendly favourites.
3. Festive Lights & Cosy Scents
Pack:
Instant atmosphere upgrade.
4. Hot Chocolate Station To-Go
A must-have Christmas tradition, even when traveling.
Pack:
• Hot chocolate sachets
• Mini marshmallows
• Candy canes
• ClearPopz Christmas lollipops (a fun festive treat!)
Bonus Tip
Most hotels now allow you to log in to your own Netflix account, so you can stream your favourite Christmas movies abroad.
Perfect with hot chocolate, popcorn, and matching PJs.
5. Matching Christmas Pyjamas & Headpieces
Pack your Christmas pyjamas and a festive BoxFetti headpiece for adorable Christmas photos, even abroad.
6. Stocking Fillers from BoxFetti
Small, lightweight, suitcase-friendly, and guaranteed magic on Christmas morning.
7. The BoxFetti “Christmas Abroad Box”
Your ready-to-go Christmas celebration kit.
Includes:
• Plates
• Cups
• Napkins
• Cutlery
• Table runner
• Confetti
• Festive styling essentials
Everything you need for a beautifully set holiday table, anywhere in the world. Get yours here
8. Lightweight Christmas Decorations
Pack:
• A mini air pump
High impact, minimal packing space.
9. Christmas Cake Corner
Bring a foldable cake stand and buy a Christmas cake locally.
Add a “Merry Christmas” topper for an instant festive display.
Christmas Activities to Bring Abroad
Perfect for keeping kids entertained and traditions alive — anywhere.
1. Gingerbread House Kit
Order via Instashop and decorate in your hotel or Airbnb.
2. Portable Christmas Music
Bring a speaker and stream the BoxFetti Christmas Playlist.
3. Travel-Friendly Christmas Crafts
We pack all our crafts inside Coco & Shy Christmas-themed pouches, organised and perfect for travel.
Our favourite crafts:
• Coral’s Creative Kit
• Diamond art
• Christmas colouring plates (Flying Tiger)
• Painting kits
• Sticker books
• BoxFetti craft packs
Ideal for hotel downtime and long holiday meals.
4. Christmas Games Bag (Coco & Shy Pouches)
We also pack our favourite travel-friendly Christmas games:
• Spot It! Christmas Edition
• Go Fish: Christmas Version
Fun, lightweight, and great for kids everywhere.
5. BoxFetti Christmas Puzzle
A cosy evening activity for the whole family, easy to pack, fun to complete.
Christmas Magic Travels With You
Celebrating Christmas abroad doesn’t mean leaving your traditions behind. With thoughtful planning, and your favourite BoxFetti Christmas essentials in any hotel room, Airbnb, or holiday home can feel like a festive, familiar Christmas haven.
Whether you’re sipping hot chocolate with ClearPopz, decorating a mini tree, traveling with your elf, or enjoying games in matching PJs, the magic of Christmas comes from the moments you share together, no matter where you are in the world. ✨