With its traditions and festivities, Christmas stands as a huge affair for generations now. Sometimes, though, it’s too huge.
It is easy to see why some people do not fancy the holidays. There are crowds everywhere, sometimes it’s too bright with all those festive lights, it’s always the same food served everywhere — yeah, I get it.
Of course, some people don’t celebrate Christmas due to religious reasons as well, and others are… just plain introverts, I suppose.
Whatever it is, I completely get feeling like a Grinch on Christmas because sometimes I am that too. However, there are still fun things to do for people who are not feeling too up for it and let me show them to you!
1. Dinner party with fellow Grinches
What is better than spending the holidays you dread so much alongside other friends who dread it too?
Of course I am exaggerating just a little bit. But come on, a dinner party does sound good with friends who ban the festivities as much as you do. No talk of Christmas, no merry desserts that screams the holidays, absolutely no Christmas carols or films — that will be the drill at this dinner party.
Maybe you can take this time to deep dive into those horror films you didn’t finish during Halloween.
2. Treat yo’self
If you ask me, any holiday is an excuse enough to engage in a treat yo’self session, so why not take this opportunity to go all out? Let’s be real, a non-Christmas holiday is perfectly spent when you’re placing yourself first.
Think spa day, massages, aromatherapy, refills of hot tea… the list is endless! Prepare for a good hot soak of your skin, maybe throw in some bath salts, put some of your favourite music on — doesn’t that just sound like heaven?
3. Escape the city through a short beach vacation
Nothing screams alternative Christmas like heading to someplace else that is anything but lights, log cakes, and Little Drummer Boy. Instead it will be filled with sunlight, sand, and summer!
Seize the chance to book flights for a short beach vacation away from the stuffy atmosphere of the Christmas spirit choking your nostrils in this city.
Perhaps an underrated beach in Vietnam or a certain beach island resort in Malaysia will do the trick. Otherwise, why not channel the wanderlust in you and just throw a dart on any part of the Philippines and go wherever it lands?
4. Do good deeds
Yes, Christmas is the season of giving but if you don’t like the whole gift exchange culture going on, then there are other ways to give!
Non-profit organisations are at their peak at Christmas because people just love engaging in volunteer work during the festive period. There are plenty of charities and social enterprises in Singapore like Willing Hearts and Singapore Red Cross Society, that you can extend a helping hand to that isn’t too Christmas-y so keep a lookout for those.
5. Reconnect with nature
It is no secret that Singapore is a concrete jungle and after spending most of the year working in the glass forests of town and our CBD area, what better way to end it than by reconnecting with nature?
Strap on your hiking boots or trainers and explore some of the many reservoirs, maybe even do a walking or cycling trail across the park connectors. The amount of hidden sunset spots on our tiny island might surprise you, and it is never too late to start and get your active bone running.
At least don’t be like me, where my plans of being active never bear fruit.
6. Go island-hopping
Did you know that Singapore is considered as one of the top alternative Christmas destinations? I suppose we have that appeal of being a non-Christmas destination due to the lack of natural snow here.
So if foreigners are coming here to escape their Christmas, what about us locals? Well, this is a sign for you to go island-hopping and they are all within our borders. Bask in the coastlines of Pulau Ubin, explore the history of Semakau, or even check out Lazarus Island’s newest sea sports centre.
It’s time to channel that inner island vibe!
7. Travel through time by visiting a museum
You don’t need a time machine to travel through time with this one. Just pick any museum that you fancy and go on an exhibition journey.
Forget Santa Claus and Rudolph, one of the best alternative Christmas activities to engage in would be to stroll down an exhibition or art gallery and lose yourself in art and knowledge.
Sometimes, the best adventures are done on an impromptu basis. But to avoid disappointment, don’t listen to what I just said and make sure that the museum is at least open before visiting (I made that mistake once before but that’s a story for another day).
8. Say cheese for a photo booth spree
Whether you’re a Grinch or not during the Christmas season, making memories is an all year round activity that you can do, and what better way to capture memories than to immortalise them into a picture?
Take a walk down Haji Lane, if not for their restaurants, then for their increasing number of fun and conceptual photo booths opening up! Grab a few shots (both photos and alcohol) with friends to spend this non-Christmas holiday and in the blink of an eye, Christmas carols and turkeys will be the last thing on your mind.
And there you have it, here are some of the eight alternative Christmas things to do this holiday period. Which one do you think you’re going to do first?
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