If you're one of those who wish it could be Christmas every day this is a great time of year for a holiday.

Whether it's Santa and snow in Lapland, shopping in America or unseasonable sun and sand in some far-off island, this is the time of year you love and we've some great ideas on how to enjoy it to the full.

Desperately seeking Santa
Why not spend Christmas with Santa?... If you can find him! You can join the hunt for Santa in Finnish Lapland. Arriving at your own log cabin on 23 December, you spend Christmas Eve searching for Father Christmas with skidoos, huskies and the great man's own reindeer. If he proves elusive then you can be sure to track him down on Christmas Day itself.

After an open-air church service complete with ice lanterns and log torches, there's a hearty Christmas breakfast before continuing on the trail of Santa. For this is the day he visits all the homes in the land to deliver presents and your log cabin is no exception. After Santa's visit there's an outside lunch and the skidoos, huskies and reindeer will all be present. There's 2 more fun-filled days to be had in Lapland before returning home.

Details at: www.gift-heaven.com/luosto.htm

Christmas 'Cheers'
Why not do your Christmas shopping American style? There are some great bargains to be had including a trip to Boston, Massachusetts. Boston has all the big shopping malls you'd expect in an American city yet as one of the oldest in the USA it's also teeming with history. You could visit the world-famous Harvard University or even have a relaxing drink in the celebrated Cheers bar like Sam, Woody and Norm in the classic TV series... if you can arrange a babysitter!

Details at: www.thisisreaderholidays.co.uk

A fairytale of New York
Manhattan is chock-full of festive goodies for the grown-ups and there's always plenty for kids to do too. In the run-up to Christmas, look out for the lavish holiday parades, or let the little ones spend hours exploring the gigantic Toys-R-Us in Times Square. Although hotel accomodation can be expensive, bargain-hunters can end up paying less than £40 per person per night to stay in a genuine NY furnished apartment.

Details at: http://www.subletinthecity.com

In the right place at the right time
If your budget can stretch to it then the ultimate Xmas holiday destination has to be Christmas Island. This speck in the Indian Ocean is 360 km from the nearest landfall - Java- but is an Australian territory.

Almost two-thirds of the island is a national park containing species of flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. There's also some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling to be had anywhere on Earth but if you prefer something a bit more laid-back, Christmas Island is the ideal place for fishing and golf. And of course, a visit to the Christmas Island post office is a must for Christmas stamps and postcards.

Remember though, December is the start of the rainy season and while the average temperature varies between 22.5-27.8 C (72.5 - 82 F) it can get very wet. Non-Australians also need a visa and remember to take plenty of cash. There is a bank but no cashpoint on the island.

Details at: www.christmas.net.au

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