It is that time of the year again! It is Christmas time. Everyone has their decorations out, and communities gather around doing good deeds and fellowship. Christmas time invites you to enter a magical world where it is hard to be sad, and you encounter kindness from every person you meet. No time in the year can compare to the Christmas season. 

One of the most prominent aspects of Christmas is the community, sharing Christmas traditions and fellowship. As a traveler, being surrounded by people helps me not be homesick. For some travelers and nomads, Christmas is a time to experience Christmas in different cities. Frequently, people look to big cities like New York City, Paris, or Munich. Although big cities provide fun and exciting experiences, you can sometimes experience a lack of community bonding experience. That is why this post will encourage you to celebrate the holidays in small towns and show you different ways to spend time in a small town during this Christmas holiday. 

Why Spend The Holidays In a Small Town? 

Spending Christmas in a small town is a different and unique experience. Whether it is an American small town or a European small town, the atmosphere of a small city is unmatched. You are sure to be surrounded by strangers who become family and have good food, and every experience is more intimate than spending time in the big cities. Because small towns are less crowded, every activity you do is more intimate, helping you have a memorable Christmas experience. Small towns have small gems that make the holidays more magical, and if you are a solo traveler, you can find spending Christmas in a small city more homelike than spending it in a big city. 

I experienced my first small-town Christmas when I went to college in Kingston, Rhode Island, a smaller city than my hometown of Providence, Rhode Island. Kingston is rural compared to Providence. There are a lot of green lands and farms. It is one of those places where you need a car to drive around and cannot just walk like I am used to in the Capital city of Providence. However, Christmas time in Kingston was different because of how accessible communities were. The Christmas decorations make the town feel cozier than in a big city, and Christmas traditions are more attainable. When you go to the city squares, you will meet carolers, which I never saw when living in Providence. 

When living in a big city, time goes by too fast. Everyone is busy or rushing to go somewhere. In a small town, you get to enjoy the slow pace. You take your time to explore and bask in the Christmas magic. You pay attention to details and are intentional about everything you do. When you are a traveler, a small town gives you a place you can call home instead of a temporary location. The mix of Christmas magic and small-town hospitality makes you feel welcome and ready to settle and integrate. Christmas activities in small towns are rooted in community bonding and fellowshipping with people who become a big part of your life. Here are some ways to spend the holidays in a small town that will help you engage with the community and give back in the spirit of Christmas. 

1. Tree Lighting Ceremony 

The tree lighting ceremony is one of the top activities synonymous with spending Christmas in a small town. The tree lighting ceremony gathers the community to ring in harmony during the holiday season and is the first fellowship event. As a visitor to a small town, this is the opportunity to meet new people, try local delights, and ring in the holiday season with all the elements that make Christmas, Christmas. In an environment decked with twinkling lights, people bundled in cozy scarves and mittens holding hot cocoa, anticipating how the giant tree in the middle of the town will look, adds an extra layer of excitement. At the tree light ceremony, everyone is a kid sharing the same excitement as they begin to countdown. Although you are a visitor, you do not feel like a stranger because you become a community member, sharing the bond of Christmas joy. When someone lights up the tree and carolers start singing, it is the best feeling in the world. Even when you do not know the complete lyrics of the song, you join in the singing and fellowship with a town that becomes a home. 

2. Attend a Christmas Parade

Christmas Parade is another excellent event for a small-town holiday. Attending a Christmas parade is on my Christmas activity wish list. Like many kids who grew up in the big cities, we see Christmas parades on TV. To be in a place where you can attend and participate in the float or on Santa sleigh is a dream I am hoping to achieve. The Christmas parade is another opportunity to mingle with the community. You can make an acquaintance who will help you navigate the town while visiting. Some towns go above and beyond to give their communities the best Christmas ever. Some town have their Christmas parade on Christmas Day, and others have it before the tree-lighting ceremony to ring in the holiday season. It is, therefore, essential to check the town’s schedule so you do not miss this fantastic event.

3. Explore Christmas Markets

One of my favorite Christmas activities is going to Christmas markets. Christmas markets provide a fun and cozy atmosphere and a great way to support local artisans. As someone who lived in Rennes, a city smaller than Paris, and has gone to Christmas markets in both cities, I know that Christmas markets in small towns are more intimate than those in big cities. You meet local, talented makers and understand the direct impact you have when you shop for a local small business compared to when you buy at a big brand. Attending Christmas markets in big cities also helps you support small businesses. Still, you are often distracted by the big lights and big brands in a big city. Christmas markets in small towns center around the community. You get to build a rapport with the vendor.

Moreover, the atmosphere at the Christmas market in a small village is unmatched. For example, walking on cobblestone roads in small European towns with different Christmas-themed activities turns the city into a festive wonderland with food and live music. You get to find unique gifts for yourself and your friends. 

4. Participate in the Christmas Themed Contest

Another way to spend the holidays in a small town is to participate in Christmas-themed Contests. Christmas-themed contest is a magnificent way to mingle with the community and share your creativity. They are fun, light-hearted, and a great way to bond and integrate into the community, especially when traveling and living away from your community. Small towns love hosting these events because it brings the community closer. Community members get to know each other’s hidden talents or lack thereof. Participating in one brings the kid out of you. I used to think Christmas-themed contests were only in Hallmark movies until I went to college in Kingston and participated in a Christmas decoration-friendly competition hosted by the international education office for international students. After that experience, I incorporated it into my holiday tradition as something I can do with my extended family and friends. I started hosting cookie decoration competitions when I traveled abroad.

5. Volunteer 

One of the pillars of the holiday season is to give back and fellowship with everyone. There is no more significant way to fellowship and give back than volunteering. Volunteering your time to help at a local shelter is a great way to spend the Christmas holiday in a small town. Small towns, unlike big cities, only have a few resources. There is a visible need in smaller towns than you will find in a big city, making volunteering more meaningful. You can volunteer at food banks, homeless shelters, or animal shelters. Volunteering does not always have to be with the less fortunate. You can volunteer your time to help set up a Christmas event hosted by the town. You can offer your skills and expertise to fill a gap that the city needs. You can get involved and be of service during the holiday season in many ways. If you are wondering how to find these opportunities, ask neighbors and acquaintances in the town you are visiting. Do a good search or go to establishments like hospitals, food banks, or shelters and ask if they need anything or how you can assist them. 

In conclusion, spending the holidays in a small town is a unique and unforgettable experience. The community bonding and fellowship you encounter in a small city make you feel at home, especially during this magical season. From attending the tree-lighting ceremony to participating in a Christmas parade, there are several ways to engage with the community and create long-lasting memories. Other experiences you can have in a small town include community potluck, ice-skating, caroling, and Christmas scavenger hunt. If you’re a traveler looking for a Christmas adventure, consider visiting a small town and experiencing Christmas in a new and exciting way.

Until next time, Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

xoxo,

Cy