By Katie-Ann Gupwell
Copyright dailyrecord
Many Brits dream of swapping the UK for sunnier climates, and one family took the plunge and made a big discovery about life in Spain. They’ve revealed one unexpected find, claiming Christmas in Spain is far superior to celebrations back home. The family, known online as the Chaplins, previously shared their festive findings on TikTok , leaving viewers gobsmacked by what they uncovered. The mum explained why the holiday season is so much better for families at the popular destination, with reasons that may come as a shock. She’s amongst numerous expats documenting their overseas adventures on social media, with many revealing personal stories of life in the sunshine. One person recently spoke about what shocked them the most after making the big move. In a video discussing their experiences last year, she explained: “So, one of the key differences about Christmas in Spain in comparison to the UK is that there is just tons of free stuff to do with the kids here. So, the amount of things that we have done over Christmas have just been unbelievable. “We have paid either very little, or nothing, to do it. So, for example, we’ve had the Santa parade, we’ve met Santa, we are going to go and meet one of the three kings. There’s a three kings parade. “We’ve also done some jumping on a snow globe, like bouncy castle trampoline. We’ve been to see the Grinch. That wasn’t free, but it cost us €24.00 (£20.86) for the four of us. “We went to a kids’ celebration for new year’s eve, and at these things you tend to get free stuff, because it all sort of adds to the event. So, whether that is like a lightsaber that you can wave around, or some sweets or something else that just helps to complement the event. “There’s also the enchanted wood just near where we live, which is like a lights event. If we’d have done all these events in the UK, it could have cost us hundreds of pounds. It’s just one of those things that makes Christmas so special, whilst not spending a ton of money.” Last year, she revealed the family had a wonderful experience, and she believes Spain prioritises families. In her view, it genuinely enables families to savour their time together during what is a magical period of the year for countless people. The video has been watched by hundreds of viewers since being posted, with plenty rushing to share their thoughts. Opinions were split amongst those commenting. One viewer remarked: “I have a house in Costa Blanca. I love Christmas here, [and] cannot wait to move out permanently. Well done you for making a better life for your family.” Someone else commented: “We much prefer Christmas in Spain.” A third responded: “I’m Spanish and living in the UK. I do love Christmas here, but I miss the three kings night. Other than that, I think the UK does a really good job too.” A fourth also chimed in with: “Happy to know you like Spain. Also, I have the UK in my heart as I spent 10 years of my life there. God bless.” Reports suggested that in 2024, the average Christmas expenditure in the UK was expected to come in at around £600 to £700 per person, with some households reportedly splurging over £1,800. However, annual spending can fluctuate based on individual circumstances, with common expenses including gifts, food and travel and December typically seeing a significant increase in outlay compared to other months. In contrast, Spanish families were projected to spend approximately €520 (£451.96) per person during the Christmas season in 2024. It’s reported that food usually accounts for the largest chunk of this expenditure.