“Every idiot that goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.”

So the holidays aren’t your favourite time of year eh?

That’s ok pal. Screw everyone and their dreams for a ‘white Christmas’, you’re off to the beach…

For those who don’t actually hate the Christmas sentiment, just the freezing weather 🎄

This Portuguese island is mega-christian, which means Christmas is alive and kicking… in 18°C sunshine.

The main town of Funchal is all neon lights, tinsel and garish nativity scenes, so if that’s not your bag head for the coast.

There’s hiking trails across the island and volcanic rock pools, just make sure you’re back in town for the wild firework display on New Year.

“Blast this Christmas music… It’s joyful AND triumphant”

If you’re grinching hard there’s no better place to hide away than the Cape Verde Islands.

Christmas isn’t really a thing here. Sure there’s beach parties and a bit of a parade but if you’re out to avoid the festive tack you’ve come to the right place.

Also it’s 25°C so you’ll arrive back with a solid tan. They do a mean firework display on New Year’s eve 🎇

Not just for nan’s that refuse to deal with winter. Tenerife is beach, mountain, desert and forest all tied up with a bow. And an ‘eternal spring’ with Christmas temps reaching 20°C.

Around Los Cristianos and Las Americas you’ll get the Christmas treatment but it’s easy to escape if you leave the tourist hubs.

Swap turkey for fresh fish dipped in spicy ‘mojos’ (sauces), and Christmas trees for banana trees (see image gallery above).