Christmas Eve is a magical holiday and a resort Christmas is even more so. The best thing about resorts is that they offer the best of everything – luxury, comfort, adventure, relaxation, and festive fun. Whether you stay at a beach resort, snow resort, a city resort, a lake resort, or a mountain resort, Christmas Eve can be your time to celebrate like nobody is watching, with the minimum effort and the maximum effect.
A resort has everything – decorations, space, views, activities. It’s all prepared and done, so there is no need for you to clean, decorate, or host. You can simply relax and enjoy the holidays in a special, holiday atmosphere. All you need to do is come up with a few easy ideas and set the mood for a fun Christmas Eve party.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to make your Christmas Eve at a resort magical. From decorations to food to activities to entertainment, from ideas to themes to creating special memories with your travel companions.
Why Spend Christmas Eve at a Resort?
Holiday at a resort is a different kind of Christmas. It’s a unique blend of tradition and travel, comfort and adventure, celebrating and relaxing. Here are some of the best reasons why to spend Christmas Eve at a resort:
No holiday stress
Beautiful views and scenery
Lots of built-in entertainment
Great time with family or friends
A different and special kind of memory
Whether you travel with kids, friends, your significant other, or by yourself, resort environments make celebrating Christmas Eve a breeze.
1. Decorating a Resort Room or Suite
It is likely that your resort is already decorated. From the public spaces to the lobbies, to the outside areas, resorts usually have them all decked for the holidays. But if you want to add a personal touch to your stay and set the mood for Christmas Eve in your suite or room, there are several easy, travel-friendly ways to do that.
Pack Travel-Friendly Holiday Décor
Since you are traveling, you need to take only lightweight décor items that are easy to transport. Some of our favorites include:
Battery-powered string lights
Mini foldable Christmas tree
Garland or ribbon
Stockings
Holiday-themed pillow covers
Festive table runner
Scented room spray or diffuser (pine, cinnamon, or vanilla)
Room spray is an especially great way to make your room smell like Christmas. These things don’t take up much space and add warmth and festivity.
Use What The Resort Provides
Resorts always have some of their own perks you can take advantage of, such as:
Beautiful views from balconies
Fireplaces (snow resorts)
Cozy lounge areas
Beautiful gardens
Outdoor terraces
Christmas tree in the lobby
Try to use your own décor items in spots where the scenery itself will make your own decorations look even better.
Create A Cozy, Relaxing Atmosphere
You can add to the cozy atmosphere by:
Dimming bright lights
Turning on the string lights
Playing soft Christmas music
Setting up a small holiday-themed snack station
Ideally, you want to make your suite feel as much like home, and as festive as home on Christmas Eve without having to worry about decorating and cleaning your entire house.
2. Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas for Resort Holidays
One of the easiest, yet most enjoyable parts about spending Christmas Eve at a resort is that you have several great options for dinner. You can choose from room service, holiday buffets and set menus, restaurants, or even private dining, depending on your resort and its amenities.
On-site Christmas Eve Dinner
The easiest, most luxurious way to enjoy a Christmas meal at a resort is to simply take advantage of what it offers. Many resorts offer:
Christmas Eve buffets
Multi-course holiday dinner menus
Seafood feasts
Holiday-themed or “seasonal” dining experiences
Live entertainment during meals
This is an excellent option if you don’t want to deal with food preparations of any kind.
Christmas Eve Dinner In The Room
If you prefer a more intimate dinner, you can also:
Order room service
Set up a Christmas-themed table with your own décor
Arrange a cozy dinner scene on the balcony or terrace
Ideas for the perfect Christmas Eve dinner menu include:
Roast chicken or turkey
Pasta
Charcuterie boards and appetizers
Fresh salads
Warm rolls
Christmas cookies
Hot chocolate or mulled wine
Do-it-Yourself Christmas Eve Cooking
If your resort room or villa has a kitchenette, then you have the option of cooking on your own. This can be fun and an easy way to personalize your Christmas Eve, with ideas including:
Baking cookies as a family
Preparing simple pasta dishes
Holiday breakfast for dinner
Hot chocolate station
Cooking can be a fun activity and a great way to enjoy some quality time with your travel companions.
3. Christmas Eve Resort Activity Ideas
Another great thing about a resort is that there is always something to do. You can enjoy the many scheduled activities and events, or create your own by selecting a few easy ideas from this list.
1. Resort-Led Holiday Experiences
Most resorts offer special activities or organize events for Christmas Eve, including:
Live music or choir performances
Santa meet-and-greet
Christmas caroling
Holiday-themed kids’ clubs activities
Outdoor movie nights
Fireworks or light shows
Winter sports at snow resorts
Beach parties at tropical resorts
Check the resort’s event calendar when you arrive.
2. Christmas Movie Night
Turn your room into your own cozy movie theater. Some classic Christmas films to watch include:
Home Alone
The Polar Express
Elf
A Christmas Carol
The Grinch
Miracle on 34th Street
Snacks, blankets, and warm drinks are a must.
3. Christmas Game Night
Pack some small, travel-friendly games or join in on the group activities at the resort. Great game ideas include:
Card games
Uno
Pictionary
Charades
Christmas trivia
Board games (many resorts offer them)
Games can be a great way to bring the group together and make your Christmas Eve lively and fun.
4. Christmas Eve Spa Night
Most resorts have some sort of spa facilities. Enjoy:
Relaxing massage
Couple’s spa session
Sauna or steam room
Aromatherapy treatments
Facials or body scrubs
If you don’t want to leave the room, you can also create your own spa night at home with:
Warm bath
Face masks
Soft music
Herbal tea
Spa Christmas Eve can be very peaceful and restorative.
5. Take Holiday Photos Around The Resort
The scenery of a resort makes a perfect location for holiday photos. Capture the memories:
By the Christmas tree in the lobby
On the balcony overlooking mountains, ocean, or city
At sunset on the beach
Walking by snowy paths or cozy fireplaces
In matching pajamas inside your suite
Photos from your holiday will become keepsakes you will treasure.
4. Christmas Eve Resort Party Themes
Themes are a great way to make your celebrations more fun and organized. We’ve prepared a few different ideas to choose from that would work well for families, couples, groups of friends, and solo travelers.
1. Cozy Pajama Party
Dress in matching pajamas and enjoy:
Hot chocolate
Christmas movies
Games
Light snacks
Storytelling
This is simple and works for all ages.
2. Beach Christmas Party
If you’re at a tropical resort, this is a great idea:
Wear beach-inspired holiday clothes
Sunset picnic
Decorate seashells
Build a “sand snowman”
Make tropical holiday drinks
Mixing Christmas and beach resort is a great way to combine two of our favorite things.
3. Winter Wonderland Theme
This theme is perfect for snowy resorts:
White and silver decorations
Snowflake cutouts
Hot cider or mulled wine
Marshmallow roasting
Stargazing
The snowy surroundings will add extra magic.
4. Elegant Christmas Dinner Party
If you are at a more upscale resort, go for:
Dress up in semi-formal or festive clothes
Candles and soft lighting
Fine dining
Soft holiday music
Exchange small gifts
This will create a more sophisticated, memorable holiday.
5. Christmas Around the World Theme
Try to celebrate different traditions from around the world, including:
Trying out foods from other cultures
Holiday music from other countries
Learn how Christmas is celebrated in different countries
Share your own holiday traditions
Fun, educational theme for family or groups of friends.
5. Christmas Eve Ideas For Different Types of Travelers
Of course, what you will do and how you celebrate, greatly depends on who you are with. For each type of traveler, we’ve gathered a few extra ideas:
For Families
Cookie decorating
Santa letter-writing
Story time
Kids’ crafts
Tracking Santa online
Family pajamas
Early gift opening
Kids clubs at resorts often have special Christmas Eve programs.
For Couples
Romantic private dinner
Beach or balcony date
Couple’s massage
Holiday movie night
Gift exchange
Nighttime walk under lights
Stargazing
Nothing is as irresistibly romantic as a Christmas at a resort for couples.
For Friends
Group dinner at a resort restaurant
Cocktail-making night
Poolside or beach hangout
Party games
DIY photo booth corner
Music and dance session
Friend trips during Christmas are always super fun and create great bonding memories.
For Solo Travelers
Attend resort social events
Book a spa treatment
Join group excursions
Enjoy a peaceful dinner
Journal your reflections
Take scenic photos
Video call family and friends
Solo Christmas Eve at a resort can be both very meaningful and deeply restorative.
6. Use the Special Features of Your Resort
Each resort has its own, special perks that you should definitely use to enhance your Christmas Eve. Depending on your resort location, you can do the following:
Mountain Resorts
Skiing
Snowboarding
Hot cocoa by the fireplace
Snowman building
Winter hiking
Hot tub under the stars
Beach Resorts
Bonfire on the sand
Swimming or snorkeling
Sunset views
Live beach entertainment
Tropical holiday drinks
Seashell collecting
City Resorts
Christmas markets
Festivals and concerts
Fine dining
City light displays
Shopping excursions
Lake or Countryside Resorts
Scenic walks
Fishing
Bonfire nights
Cozy indoor games
Quiet relaxation
In all of the above cases, use the local attractions and scenery of your resort to set the mood for a fun and unique Christmas Eve.
7. Connect With Family and Friends at Home
Of course, you can still connect with your loved ones at home in some way. Here are some ideas for ways to make sure nobody feels left out, even if you are apart.
Video calls
Send photos or videos
Stream movies or shows together
Send e-cards or digital greetings
Open gifts together, virtually
This is especially important if your children or loved ones are staying at home while you are traveling.
8. Take Pictures and Document the Memories
Christmas Eve at a resort is a memory you will want to capture and preserve. Be sure to take pictures of:
Decorations
Candid moments
Group photos
Food
Resort scenery
Sunrise or sunset
Any adventures or activities during the day
Consider keeping a journal or making a small photo album when you get back home.
Final Thoughts
Celebrating Christmas Eve at a resort is the perfect way to make the most magical of holidays even more magical. Whether you choose snowy mountains, a beach resort, an urban one, or a peaceful lakeside or countryside retreat, your resort has everything you need for a magical, yet easy Christmas Eve party.
With holiday decorations, food and drinks, fun activities, themed parties, and creating special traditions with your travel companions, you can make your Christmas Eve in a resort as cozy, festive, and unforgettable as at home. In fact, it might even become your favorite holiday tradition.
The most important part about a Christmas party is not where you celebrate it, but who you share it with. Enjoy creating new memories, new traditions, and experiencing that holiday spirit, in the most beautiful way, wherever you decide to travel.
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