The Top Winter Breaks by SportsDirect.com

With the hustle and bustle of Christmas sometimes it is nice to escape before, after or even for Christmas Day. SportsDirect.com take a look at the top places to go on holiday during the Winter period.
There are various types of holidays that are available during Christmastime depending  on personal choices, including a secluded cottage break, city break or packing your larger suitcases and heading abroad.

Cottages
Low lighting, log fires and beautiful wooden beams all signify a traditional Christmas and that is what makes cottage holidays perfect at this time of year. If you’re after a quiet family retreat then a cottage is perfect, there is also the bonus that you can take the whole family with you if you wanted as some sleep up to 12 people. They are also scattered up and down the country with stunning cottages located in Norfolk, Gloucestershire, Northumberland, Yorkshire and so on, so you can have your ideal Christmas wherever you want!

Cities
Christmas brings out the best in cities. With decorations hanging from the top of the high street to the bottom, teamed with authentic Christmas markets and carollers,  they do tend to have a magical atmosphere. Although cities will be bursting at this time of year, they are ideal for people who want to get into the festive spirit and keep busy by taking a walk through snowy parks, ice skating in the outdoors or enjoying the brightly lit streets and festive food!

Skiing
Skiing is the typical Winter/Christmas getaway. Layer up, head on the slopes and take in the gorgeous snowy scenery, as well as ending your day snuggled  up in the Après-Ski, it will literally be a Winter Wonderland and you are guaranteed to get a festive feeling! Some Christmas Ski holidays also offer Christmas decorations in your chalet, Christmas dinner and an array of festive treats.

Hot deals
If being cold really isn’t for you, or you aren’t a massive Christmas fan then jet setting somewhere warm and sunny is probably more suited to you. Destinations like Egypt, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote all offer Winter sun, as well as the obvious places like Mexico, Florida and The Caribbean, and last minute holiday sites have plenty of great deals on too. Whether you envisage Christmas morning on a beach supping a cocktail or a hot haven  before or after the stress of Christmas, venturing further afield this Winter could make the Christmas you have always dreamed of.

Visit www.sportsdirect.com and treat yourself to the perfect suitcase or holdall before your Winter retreat! Keep up to date on our latest deals and Christmas competitions at www.facebook.com/sportsdirectuk and www.twitter.com/sportsdirectuk .

SportsDirect.com Take a Look at the Best Approach to Christmas

Last year Sainsbury’s Bank conducted a poll which found that a third of Britons had left their Christmas shopping until the 23rd December, don’t be one of those people this year. Follow SportsDirect.com’s guide to a more pleasant Christmas experience.
The number one rule is not to lull yourself into a false sense of security. Phrases such as ‘It’s only October’, ‘They’ll be plenty of offers on closer to Christmas’ or ‘I won’t feel Christmassy if I do all my Christmas shopping now’ should be banned, planning is essential and is they key to ensure a calm Christmas experience.
Gift guides are everywhere so stock up on them, get the highlighters and sticky note pads out and make a note of suitable ideas for each person on your list, five ideas per person is the ideal number just in case you can’t find them in store or online. As soon as this task is complete then get yourself to the shops as soon as you can and hunt them down.
One of the main bonuses to starting your Christmas shopping early is that the items you’re looking for are less likely to be out of stock, and if they are then you haven’t left yourself short of time meaning you can wait until the next batch are in stock. This also includes Christmas cards, it is no secret that all the good ones are gone by November, so make sure that you get these in advance too.
Shopping online is the perfect way to skip the massive queues in store coupled with people running around and snapping the gift you wanted off the shelf! Also, websites have made it easier than ever with gifts organised by gender, price range, specific items and gift finder tools. However, this still needs to be completed in advance to ensure that your gifts are delivered in time, are what you ordered and that all the pieces are intact.
Once all of your Christmas shopping, including gift wrap and cards, has been completed then it is time to enjoy the festive season. Leave the wrapping and Christmas baking until mid December as it is these activities that inject that festive feeling – not the panic buying.
Shop online where you find the perfect gifts for her, him and kids, as well as gifts for the fashionista and sports enthusiast. Visit www.facebook.com/SportsDirectUK or www.Twitter.com/SportsDirectUK for the latest Christmas ideas!