By: Krista Happ
Krista Happ is the content creator behind the popular social media handle Happy Healthy Casita. She shares authentic travel tips, full-time RV living, and family-friendly adventures on social media. Follow Happy Healthy Casita for family road trip recommendations and access to exclusive discount codes to top-rated RV Resorts.
Making Christmas Magic in an RV or Tiny Home
The holidays are all about making memories, celebrating with loved ones, and creating a sense of magic, no matter where you are. If you’re considering hitting the road in your RV for the holidays, you might be wondering if a small space will make it difficult to fully embrace the season.
It’s true, RV life comes with some unique challenges of living on the road. It also offers endless opportunities for creating unforgettable family moments. You don’t need a big home to go big for the holidays. It’s all about finding the right balance and making the most of the space you have.
Here are my top 5 recommendations for creating holiday memories on the road.
How to Create Holiday Memories on the Road
1. Choose Experiences Over Physical Gifts
While we do purchase a few Christmas gifts for our kids to place under the tree, we try to keep them to a minimum, as storage space in an RV is limited.
We truly believe in the power of shared experiences as a family.
Instead of physical gifts, consider gifting items like a National Parks Pass like the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Lands Pass. It offers access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by six federal agencies. I also recommend a reciprocal museum membership, tickets to an amusement park, a botanical garden, or something like surfing or horseback riding lessons.
If you don’t own an RV, consider renting an RV, and traveling together as a family is a gift in itself.
Note: RV Resorts like Blueway in Fort Myers and Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys offer travel trailer rentals to accommodate all families and their preferences. These RV resorts are great for holiday festivities with their packed activities calendar and themed weekends. Make new traditions this year by celebrating Christmas in Florida.
2. Keep Your Christmas Decorations Simple
We had a large Christmas tree in our former home and decorations strategically placed throughout various rooms. I was worried my kids would feel like they were missing out when I presented them with the tiny tabletop tree we have now.
But you know what?
They get just as excited to put it up each year. Decorations don’t have to be large or extravagant to be festive.
Don’t underestimate the power of homemade ones as well. Cut out snowflakes or make your own garland with the kids, as these hold meaning. This way, you don’t have to store them when the season is through. You can check out my kids’ Christmas recommendations on Amazon.
3. Take Advantage of Local Activities
One of the reasons we love RVing during the holiday season is that we get to choose where we want to be. We have spent each year in a different location since we have been on the road. One of our favorite parts about this is taking part in all that the local area has to offer.
Holiday tree lightings, train rides, parades, and festivals are all great ways to celebrate while exploring the place you’ve parked.
Pro-tip: Don’t forget to check in with your campground to find out what events they have planned as well!
CreekFire RV Resort in Savannah, Georgia, is a perfect example of a campground that hosts planned holiday events. This includes golf cart parades, Christmas decorating contests, potlucks, live music, scavenger hunts, and even visits from Santa. The RV resort also accommodates those who don’t own an RV and are looking to have a tiny home Christmas. CreekFire’s cabin rentals make it feel like a cozy Christmas vacation and welcome an intimate family setting.
4. Embrace Both New and Old Traditions
Just because you are in a small space doesn’t mean you have to abandon all of your holiday traditions. Our family still bakes cookies, makes ornaments, and attends a Christmas church service, no matter where we are. Although it has been fun creating new traditions as we go, as well.
We’ve found ourselves packing picnic lunches—including Skout Organic Bars—on Christmas Day and going on hikes or hot cocoa walks in our Earth Runners Barefoot Sandals in new places. We’ve also enjoyed slow days at home, when in the past we may have been rushing around to make it to every holiday gathering.
There is no rule book here, so keep what works and feel free to change what doesn’t.
5. Celebrate with Those Around You
Whether you are choosing to RV for the holidays on your own or with friends, or with family, it still presents such a great opportunity to enjoy time with those around you.
We have rung in the New Year at campground parties, set up Christmas Eve s’mores and movie events for our kids and their friends, and shared Thanksgiving dinner at another family’s RV. We’ve even welcomed our extended family to join in via FaceTime for our Christmas morning festivities. Each year has looked a little different for us, but we’ve always found a way to include the people we love and extend love to those around us in return.
Small spaces don’t have to limit your holiday fun. By focusing on shared experiences, simplifying decorations, and embracing the flexibility that RV life offers, you can create meaningful, lasting memories no matter where you are. There are countless ways to go big for the holidays, even in an RV.
So, pack up your holiday cheer, hit the road, and enjoy a season full of joy, adventure, and connection!
Disclaimer: This may contain affiliate links to brands I collaborate with, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and brands I truly love and trust. Thank you for supporting my content!