Make Holiday Break Magical with an Outdoor Adventure

Winter holiday is a time to embrace light and togetherness during the coldest, darkest days of the year. However, reports of festive burnout and Christmas anxiety are increasingly common, long before December even begins. The pressures of materialism, family expectations, and the relentless stream of perfect holiday images can drain the joy from the season — but it doesn’t have to be that way. For a sprinkle of winter magic and a much-needed escape from everyday stress, a last-minute Christmas camping adventure might be just what you need. 

Experiences over Things

Gift-giving is a beautiful tradition, but let’s face it: most of us already have too much stuff. Spending your hard-earned money on activities you and yours truly love is far more rewarding, as it helps build relationships and create lasting memories.

Winter camping isn’t exactly cheap since it requires sturdy cold-weather gear. If you already have it, that’s great. If not, it’s a fantastic Christmas gift idea. Items like winter sleeping bags, thermal underwear, and flasks can last for years, but the real gift is the experiences you can have with them. (Click here for an extensive list of gift ideas for the outdoorsy people on your list.)

If your great winter escape has to happen on a budget, consider camping gear rentals (they ship nationwide) or second-hand marketplaces. (And if it’s a little tight time-wise to get the set up you need before Christmas, swapping fireworks for the open night sky is a beautiful New Year’s Eve idea.)

Glam It Up with Car Camping

Carrying all of your gear on your back is certainly the camping option for more experienced outdoorists. But, if you feel the call of the outdoors but don’t want to forgo some comfort and the Christmas feast, car camping is the way to go. Choose your nearest wilderness area or state park and pack the car full of all the luxuries you might need: firewood (check fire restrictions before you go), camping chairs, and of course, festive lights.

(Here is a list of the best US winter camping destinations with tips on how to choose the right spot in cold weather conditions.)

The most important step is pre-cooking all of your favorite Christmas food. Keep them piping hot using fancy Thermos food flasks, or simply pop them into mason jars and reheat over a camping stove. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even reheat your meal over the campfire (again, this is the advanced outdoorist option and not recommended for first-timers.)

Make it as elaborate or as simple as you want. The festive spirit can certainly be evoked without a ton of complex dishes. Your essentials are hot grog or mulled wine (make them alcoholic or alcohol-free  —whatever your heart desires). 

And if you can’t be bothered to prep anything, just string some battery-powered fairy lights over the nearest spruce and start singing Jingle Bells — it will already make for an unforgettable winter holiday!