According to Brighton based ski chalet holiday company Ski Beat, the British habit of lavishing money on presents, food and drink, more than any other European nation, is driving more and more people to seek an overseas all inclusive holiday alternative.
Laura Hazell, Ski Beat’s Sales & Marketing director, said: “Last year we hit an all time record, with more people than ever choosing to spend Christmas in the French Alps. The advantage of a guaranteed white, snowy Christmas is one of the attractions, but the key driving factor appears to be the certainty of capping Christmas spending. With an all inclusive holiday, it’s difficult to fall into the overspending trap.
With Ski Beat taking record booking for holidays over the 12 days of Christmas, the trend is born out by a third of those surveyed who said they would travel overseas at Christmas, if it didn’t cost more than staying at home.
Laura continued: “Such a large proportion of us say we’re likely to overspend at Christmas that the attraction of an all inclusive holiday is very appealing But it’s not just about the mathematics of home versus holiday, there are also the advantages of having someone else to shop, prepare, cook, serve, wash up and clean. Many parents hardly stop during the festive holiday and would argue that it is money well spent to have the chance to let someone else take the strain out of Christmas, leaving them free to spend time with their children.”
Ski Beat, who will be hosting nearly 600 British guests in 54 fully catered chalets in 9 of France’s top ski resorts also have their own Christmas budget to bear in mind, with a shopping list that includes:
- 54 Real Christmas Trees
- 1950 mince pies
- 175 bottles champagne
- 108 boxes of chocolates
- 138 Christmas Puddings
- 54kg brussel sprouts
- 43 litres gravy
- 14kg stuffing
- 1300 pigs in blankets
- 130kg turkey
- 14kg cranberry sauce
- 550 Crackers
- 54 carrots (for the reindeer)
- 8 litres of milk (54 glasses, for Santa)
A guaranteed snowy white Christmas in a snowy traditional chalet, with someone else to shop, serve, clear and clean, decorate the tree, cook breakfast, prepare home made cakes with afternoon tea, a hearty Christmas dinner and three course evening meals with wine costs from £599pp for a week’s stay in a traditional, comfortable ski chalet.
