Is it worth going home for Christmas?

5 min readNov 18, 2020

A simple question I’ve been pondering for the last couple of months is if it’s worth making the trip home to the UK from Spain to celebrate Christmas as I normally do?

Some expats may always consider whether it’s worth leaving the balmy winter Spanish climate in exchange for a week or two under the dull grey canopy of British skies. However, 2020 has offered up a global pandemic. A simple flight to Gatwick may not be as convenient, safe, or available, as it once usually was.

With most of the UK currently in a lockdown, and travel ill-advised, you may assume that the simple conclusion would be staying put here in Alicante. The government states on www.gov.uk that international travel is currently “restricted from England except in limited circumstances” during the confinement period. This may ease as restrictions are lifted, however, at the time of writing in mid-November, it makes returning to Spain that much more difficult.

Of course, it’s not just the British government’s advice I have to follow as a Spanish resident. When it’s time for me to return to work in January, will Spain have lifted the restrictions they currently have in place? As it stands, international travellers must prove they have had a negative test result for Covid-19 within 72 hours prior to their arrival to the Spanish mainland. As an added bonus, the NHS will not provide this test in these circumstances.

Not only are the government guidelines hindering travel plans, but there are knock on effects. EasyJet have stated they are running the fleet at 20% of their usual capacity, due the low demand of flyers. Whereas I have a flight already booked for Christmas Eve, I know that there is a distinct possibility that this flight will be cancelled. That would leave me scrambling for a flight from another company. I’m trying not to think about what it may cost, or if I’d get money back if that one also got cancelled. As a big fan of Christmas dinner, missing it all because I have to get a flight on the 25th would be a nightmare.

Finally, there is still a quarantine period that I would have to adhere to during my whole stay back home. I may have to the opportunity to open presents, but I wouldn’t be able to see anyone to thank them. Eating my weight in mince pies while never stepping outside may not be the festive period I had envisioned. Although it’s not far off.

There is an overwhelming feeling that a trip home is simply not worth it for expats this year. Not only because of the hassle, but also because that there is still the very real danger of spreading or contracting the virus. A sensible option would be to make-do with not coming home for the festivities.

After the year we have all endured, cancelling Christmas really would hurt. Many expats, me included, use this time of year as the main opportunity to see family and friends back home. Depression, loneliness and home sickness could all come into play here. So, I’m left continuing considering the question: is it worth going home for Christmas?

Is it worth going home for Christmas?

Written by ugandahelal