Christmas in an RV

A lot of people are spending Christmas in an RV, either moochdocking with friends and family or hunkered down in a campground or Snowbird resort in a warm climate. Ever wondered what it's like and what they do?

That's what we talk about in Episode 427 of the RV Podcast, sharing suggested activities, tours, and ways your RV can contribute to the Holiday fun, even if you are not camping. Plus, of course, we have the RV News of the Week and your questions about the RV Lifestyle.

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Christmas in an RV – some ideas

Whether staying in a campground over the holidays or traveling, a lot of RVers are on the road, camping or having fun with their RVs in other ways.

We did that ourselves a while back, taking our RV to Frankenmuth, Michigan and visiting the World’s Largest Christmas Store… Bronners Christmas Wonderland. There the staff pitched in and turned our Class B van at the time into a Christmas work of art. They even gave Tai, the dog we had at the time, a Christmas makeover. It was so much fun.

Click below to see that video:

We love Bronners. And we're not alone. They draw a crowd of 50,000 on the weekend after Thanksgiving each year.

But what about campers spending Christmas in an RV?

Many campgrounds throughout the country hold special Christmas activities.

Each year we hear of various campgrounds celebrating the holidays by holding RV decorating contests, Christmas-themed golf cart parades, holiday crafts, and other special activities. We thought it would be fun in this Christmas week edition of the podcast to share some of the more unique experiences still going on now that caught our eye.

One place we would love to go is Alabama’s Rickwood Caverns State Park, located about 30 miles north of Birmingham near Warrior, AL. For the past several years, this park has held a 1.25-mile walk through the underground cavern that attracts thousands.

The cavern is transformed by 100,000 lights, creating a spectacular, sparkling glow that accents the caves’ natural features. The walk features several distinct “rooms.” There is the snow room, glacier room miniature village, and the Rockin’ Christmas room at the end, where Santa himself can be found up until Dec. 23.

The walk costs $12 for people ages 5 and above and runs from 2-8 pm until Jan. 8 (closed only Dec. 24 and 25). Reservations are recommended.

Some other interesting campground activities we found are at KOA parks. For example, the Virginia Beach KOA is holding its 3rd annual lights of Christmas, featuring an elaborate light display synced to holiday music that is available over the car radio while you drive through.

The campground also has a Christmas Village with food and gifts for sale, holiday movies playing on an outdoor screen, special appearances from the Grinch and Santa, and more.

The Virginia KOA activity is running through Dec. 31, and costs vary from $25 per car or $45 per RV on the weekdays to more on the weekend.

Another campground group with many special holiday activities is Jellystone Parks. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Guadalupe River, TX, has a variety of such activities planned up until Dec. 31.

The Guadalupe Park has holiday crafts, picture taking with Santa, and Christmas parade, and many other festive activities that sound like a wonderful way to make memories with your family.

That’s just a small sampling of the holiday activities public and private campgrounds are holding at locations throughout the country. Where ever you are, check with some campgrounds near you, and you may be surprised at what is planned.

As we record this episode, we’re at our sticks and bricks home in Michigan. Every year, we stay in Michigan during the month of December to be near family. And we find lots of uses for the RV. Just the other night, we used it to check out the Christmas lights with two of our granddaughters and our daughter, Wendy.

The town of Rochester, Michigan, does an annual Big Bright Lights Display in which every downtown business…and we mean EVERY business… is decorated with thousands of bright Christmas lights. It’s quite a spectacle, and our Class C motorhome is the perfect vehicle to comfortably cruise the main drag.

It was pretty cold after we parked and strolled the downtown streets and visited the shops. The RV, with the heater running, served as a perfect warming station. Jen made some hot chocolate, and the RV was a warm and comforting place for some very special family time.

How do solo travelers do when spending Christmas in an RV?

That's the question we deal with in this episode from Heather, who posted this on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group.

QUESTION from Heather:

What do all the single travelers do during the holidays if they can't make it back to friends or family? Looking for ideas. Besides watching a movie and drinking wine, because I already have that down.

ANSWER: 

Our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group community really responded to Heather’s question. Turns out a lot of RVers are spending Christmas in an RV, away from friends and family.

Heather’s question brought over 100 responses in just 24 hours. Here are just a few of the responses:

From Jayna: We facebook live with our grandkids who are in two separate time zones. They set up an iPad or computer camera so we can ‘be in the room’ virtually.

From Barbara: I contact the local Nursing Home, get stuffed animals from Dollar Tree, put on a Santa Hat and spread Good Cheer to those that have no one visit them…Also bought butter cookies, I will tell you your heart will feel wonderful when you get home!

From Dorothy: You can celebrate with the other folks who don't travel for the holidays. We are away from home for the holidays in an RV park for the first time. They have arranged a Christmas Eve dinner here for anyone who wishes to attend.

From Cordie: If you are staying in a campground, do they have activities? If not, organize your own. My friend doesn't have family so she hosts a “stray cat” Christmas. A place for any friends, friends of friends everyone welcomed so no one is alone on Christmas. She keeps small gift cards on hand and makes 3 meals so whenever people stop by they get food and friendship.

From Brenda: Volunteer at your local pet shelter. The fur babies still need to be fed and walked.

From Cindy: Volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter

From Ron: This is my third year alone at Christmas. Just me and Ranger, my black Lab. On Christmas Eve, I find a local church to attend a candlelight Christmas Eve service. On Christmas Day, I make a special breakfast. Then Ranger and I find a place to take a long hike. In the afternoon, I FaceTime friends and relatives and catch up with what’s happening in their lives. I find a local sports bar open and head there for a burger and beer. At night, I come back to the RV and watch my favorite Christmas Movie – Die Hard. And yes, it is indeed a Christmas Movie. 

Tell us your plans! Do they involve your RV?

Let us know all about it in the comments.

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