Already dreaming about jetting off and escaping the Christmas slump? (picture: Getty Images)
Between presents and the traditional turkey dinner, there’s no denying that Christmas can feel expensive – so why are we so desperate to splurge on a trip after the holidays?
While Christmas is technically a break, it can often feel overwhelming with countless people to see or host at your home, making the festive period feel like hard work.
This means we can often find ourselves dreaming of a peaceful getaway for the new year and heading to Heathrow to get escape the ‘back to reality’ calls.
Rachel Yon Choi, a behavioural analyst at Canvas8, and Justin Gasparovic, a behaviour psychology expert, tell Metro.co.uk this urge to book a break straight after Christmas all comes down to the ‘New Year reset’.
Justin Gasparovic says: ‘A new trip provides an easy transitional totem as the next meaningful milestone coming down the pike.
‘Additionally, cold dark winter elicits longing for warmth, light and the restorative rhythms only stepping away brings. We deeply crave a periodic escape from mundane environments that typically govern daily life.
‘Psychologically and physically, adventures revive the beat-down parts of ourselves depleted from meeting others’ seasonal expectations.’
Booking a holiday in Twixmas can feel like a mental holiday before a literal one (picture: Getty Images/Westend61)
The thought of going back to work after Christmas is a daunting one for many, so essentially it stings less if we already have something else to look forward to.
Justin adds: ‘Planning offers hope, a distraction from let-down, imaginative renewal – a mental vacation before physically embarking.
‘Having tantalising future sights, smells, and wonders already on the agenda infuses the dreary months stretching ahead with motivating glimmers of light.
‘We purchase possibilities in those prospective plane tickets as much as actual travels. Through this lens, our impatience for the next adventure makes complete emotional sense!’
Rachel agrees, saying: ‘There are a number of reasons that holidays are at the forefront of people’s minds around Christmas. It’s a time most people are already on a “break” mindset, and the approach of the new year feels like a tangible reset, especially following what was a very turbulent 2023.’
Amsterdam was named as the best winter getaway destination by Tripadvisor (picture: Getty Images)
But our post-Christmas bank accounts can sometimes be a little depleted, so it might come as a surprise that so many people want to fork out for a trip – especially with the cost of living crisis still squeezing our budgets.
Rachel explains: ‘Even with, and more so because of, financial pressures, people are looking to break from routine and find escape.
‘They increasingly view travel as essential spending and are prepared to plan accordingly and cut their budgets elsewhere to be able to treat themselves.
‘This includes being proactive in planning ahead: especially for those who work, the new year marks a fresh holiday allowance.
‘They’re being strategic in maximising both time and savings, for example taking note of when the bank holidays fall in 2024. Booking early can create an event to look forward to, and you tend to get much better deals the earlier you do.’
But for those who simply can’t wait, or don’t want to hold off until the new year, there’s a reasoning behind booking that flight during Twixmas too.
People like to book before the new year so it doesn’t come out of next year’s budget (picture: Getty Images)
Rachel explains: There’s the psychological financial element of booking in 2023 – you’re leaving that big spend behind, in last year’s budget.
‘By paying far enough in advance, by the time the holiday comes around, it almost feels free to the “current you” who’ll be travelling with a new budget.’
Anything to make the holiday feel a little less expensive.
But where to go?
TripAdvisor named its top trending destinations for winter, as part of its Seasonal Travel Index for 2023, and there’s something for everyone.
Up first is Amsterdam with plenty of museums to tempt you, followed by Cancun, Mexico, where the weather is sitting at about 28 degrees.
Rovaniemi, Lapland is another top winter holiday spot – think huskies and reindeer- while Mexico (Playa del Carmen) is also a good destination.
Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Istanbul, Turkey, are also great holidays to book for 2024, or if you’re looking for something closer to home, you can’t go wrong with Paris.
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Are you already thinking about your next getaway?
