1. Five-star luxury in Madeira
With temperatures in the high 60 Fs and a display of fairy lights that makes Regent Street look about as exciting as a 40-watt lightbulb, the Madeiran capital of Funchal has plenty to offer in December. Prestige Holidays (01425 480400) is promoting the five-star Cliff Bay Hotel, a 20-minute walk from the centre of town. The hotel features an indoor pool and spa facilities and offers 30 per cent off green fees at the Palheiro Golf Course. With departures available on 21 and 25 December there's also the chance to witness Madeira's lively New Year festivities. The price of £1,069 per person includes bed and breakfast, flights, transfers and a Gala Dinner on 24 or 31 December.
2. Disney magic in Paris
Recommended for hardcore Santa devotees of all ages, Disneyland Paris really lights up at Christmas. The park is open until 8pm every evening, and if the Electrical Parade and tree lighting ceremony fail to get you in the festive mood then you're a lost cause. Cresta Holidays (0870 1610 910) is offering three nights at the Hotel Santa Fe for two adults and two children under 12 for £726. The price includes breakfast, entrance to the park for the duration of your stay and a Dover-Calais crossing with Sea France on Christmas Eve. The same package based on Air France flights from Heathrow costs £1,142.
3. Cottage hideaway in Somerset
By the time Christmas Day finally heaves into view most of us are ready to get away from it all. Helpful Holidays (01647 433593) has the ideal retreat: a remote gamekeeper's cottage in Somerset, hidden among pine trees, nearly a mile from the nearest village, yet an easy walk to the pub. The cottage sleeps seven in four bedrooms and costs £316 for the week beginning 22 December. The company has more than 450 holiday homes for hire in the West Country.
4. Indian winter
If you'd rather be sitting under a palm tree than carrying home a fir tree then consider Goa. Located in the livelier north end of the resort, the Goan Heritage Hotel sits in gardens that lead down to the Calangute Beach. The property has a gym, beauty parlour, pool, restaurant and offers evening entertainment. Hayes and Jarvis (0870 89 89 890) has flights departing from Gatwick on 21 December. A seven-night break costs £689 including flights, transfers and bed and breakfast accommodation.
5. Meet Father Christmas in Lapland
Eclipse Holidays (0870 5010 203) is offering short active breaks to Lapland. The three-night stay features guaranteed Santa sightings, husky dog safaris, snowmobiling and reindeer sleigh rides, with optional extras including a night in an igloo hotel and skiing in Yllas. Flights depart from Manchester or Gatwick between 6 and 24 December and the package, which includes full-board accommodation and transfers, costs from £485 for adults and from £310 for children.
6. York country house retreat
Middlethorpe Hall (01904 641241), a country house hotel on the outskirts of York, is offering a traditional festive package. A three-night stay costs £595 per person, which includes a champagne and carols reception on Christmas Eve, early morning tea served with a present on Christmas Day, traditional lunch and a light tea. There's also the opportunity to attend the Christmas morning service in York Minster. Boxing Day dawns with a champagne brunch before a race day excursion to Wetherby.
7. Motoring in New Zealand
Swap grey skies and teeming high streets for sunshine and open roads; New Zealand will be at the height of its summer over the Christmas period. Austravel (0117 933 0450) has a 12-day package for people wanting to explore the North Island by motorhome. Also included in the price of £940 are scheduled flights and three nights' accommodation in Auckland, giving you time to explore the City of Sails before setting off around the North Island. Departures are between 12 and 24 December.
8. Short breaks in Istanbul
Legend has it that Father Christmas hailed from Turkey. He started life as a fourth-century bishop - later St Nicholas - who would give anonymous gifts to dowryless village girls. Sovereign Cities and Short Breaks (0870 576 8373) has availability on a range of short breaks to Istanbul. The four-star Hotel President, located in the rambling old town, costs from £419 per person from 15 December, based on bed and breakfast accommodation, flights from Heathrow and transfers.
9. Escape to Dubai
If you want to escape from tinsel and twinkly lights this year, then try Dubai - the Muslim state does not officially celebrate Christmas. Crystal Cities (0870 888 0022) has availability at the four-star City Centre Hotel, which features a rooftop pool, squash and tennis courts and is adjacent to the shopping mall if you want to treat yourself to a few Christmas presents. Departing between 25 and 31 December, the price of £615 per person includes flights from Gatwick and three nights' bed and breakfast accommodation.
10. Farm holiday in Cumbria
Enjoy the privacy of your own cottage with the luxury of having the cooking done for you. Stay on a Farm (0845 600 3201) offers a range of accommodation across the north of England, including seven cottages at Long Byres in Cumbria where the farmer provides a home-made meals service. This North Pen nines hill farm is ideal for walking and cycling excursions and is right next door to a birdwatching reserve. The cottages sleep from two to five people and prices start at £180 for the week beginning 22 December.
11. Christmas in Las Vegas
Known for its year-round glitziness, Las Vegas goes into overdrive at Christmas. Gamble away the Christmas Club money with a 14-night fly-drive Airtours holiday available from Travel Choice (0870 900 5833), departing from Gatwick on 12 December. Prices start at £679 per person and include four-star accommodation and a car.
12. Skiing in France
Get together a group of friends and head off for the slopes. The French resort of Serre Chevalier offers 250km of piste, with a good combination of blue and red runs that will keep most intermediate skiers happy. First Choice Ski (0870 754 3477) is promoting the four-star Chalet Asters, which sleeps up to 17 people and is located 400 metres from the ski lift. Seven nights cost £429 per person for half-board accommodation, based on two people sharing. If you can fill the chalet with friends you'll be rewarded with one free place. Flights depart Gatwick for Turin on 24 December and transfers are included.
13. Winter sun in Gambia
If you are looking for guaranteed winter sunshine without guaranteed jetlag then Gambia may fit the bill. The flight is six hours but no time zone changes mean that you can make the most of the 80 F temperatures from the moment you arrive. Direct Line Holidays (020 8239 3399) is offering two weeks at the two-star Hotel Badala Park for £629 per person on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Departure is on 15 December, from either Gatwick or Manchester, returning in time for the New Year celebrations.
14. South African adventure
Sample the best South Africa has to offer with a package from Tailormade Holidays (020 8398 4464). Start your holiday with two nights at the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, where Land Rover and walking safaris provide an excellent chance of encountering the 'big five'. Move on to the Irene Country Lodge for a night then board the historic Blue Train to journey overnight from Pretoria to Cape Town before rounding off the trip with three nights at the five-star Htel Le Vendme in Cape Town. Prices start at £2,299 per person for departures on 22 December.
15. Everest trek
The idea of walking off the turkey dinner takes on a whole new dimension with Worldwide Journeys & Expeditions (020 7386 4646). The India specialist is organising a 12-day trek to Everest, following the expedition route up the Dudh Kosi Valley as far as the monasteries of Tyangboche and Pangboche. Christmas Day will be spent at Khunde, a Sherpa village with panoramic views of the south face of Everest. The 17-day expedition includes time in Kathmandu and leaves London on 17 December. The price of £1,525 per person includes flights, accommodation and meals.
