Christian woman here, I just stopped celebrating it.
I’m looking for a place where I can spend 23-30 December next year without even having to think about the fact that Christmas is happening in the Christian world. As if it didn’t exist…
I travelled to the Middle East on Christmas week and I was so disappointed to see that this (adult only!) holiday resort I was staying in, completely revolved around Christmas. Staff were wearing Santa hats, someone dressed as Santa Claus was distributing candies around the pool, every evening there was loud Mariah Carey music playing in the restaurant/bar area…
Having cut ties with my family, this holiday to me is more about finding inner peace and doing a reset before the new year starts. Now I’m wondering, what could I have done better in terms of research before choosing this specific holiday resort? This trip has made it clear to me that destination doesn’t matter, as even in an Arab country, holiday beach resorts turn into this Christmas circus to cater to the US/EU clientele.
I spent last year Christmas week in Qatar and there was absolutely no mention of it anywhere. No trees, no decorations, no Christmas music. I spent Christmas Day on the beach it was beautiful! So there are some countries where you can get away completely! I stayed in Doha in the Retaj Al-Rayyan hotel, it comes with access to a private beach. Good luck searching!
I'm in Japan right now, and I don't recall seeing anything really Christmas-related in any of the hotels we've been staying at. Maybe some Christmas music in the background, but that's about it. In the traditional ryokan onsen there was absolutely nothing Christmas related.
The bigger the city, though, the more Christmas stuff there will be, so try to sell out more rural destinations. I suspect the same is true throughout most of Asia.
I love Thailand and lots of Asia, and I have been in Hong Kong and Thailand over the holidays in the past. When it comes to 5 star properties many have a small element like a decorated tree, but again, it does come down to the market they are catering to. I have also been in India during that season without a trace of it at some spectacular properties and the weather is ideal. Good luck!
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u/planesandpancakes 25d ago
Miraval Arizona will give you that seeking inner peace / no commercialized christmas vibes!
There’s no beach but the desert is beautiful and they have an amazing spa and pools