Christmas Spirit in the Seychelles

Christmas time in the Seychelles is the time for sumptuous banquets and family meetings. During this festive season, every family member usually hosts a lavish dinner which is then followed by gift-giving and evening parties. With delightful food, games, and fun-filled activities, the festivities in Seychelles are no less exhilarating than that in any other part of the world during this festival.

Christmas Celebrations in Seychelles

Seychelles is known for its wonderful beach parties which are simply perfect for adventure lovers. Whether it is sailing, diving, or fly fishing, you can actually indulge in a lot of activities while celebrating Christmas while discovering these islands at your own pace- either in your rented car, catamaran or on foot.

The merry celebrations in Seychelles include decorating the interiors and exteriors of the malls, stores, homes, and commercial buildings with colorful lights. Even the pubs and restaurants are adorned with such lights. Homemade crafts and decorative items are widely used during Christmas celebrations in Seychelles and these will surely be a feast for the eyes of adults and children!

What do to in Seychelles during Xmas Time?

Sight Seeing

On this festive occasion, people in Seychelles go sightseeing to catch a glimpse of the popular tourist locations in this island nation. Some of the places worth visiting here are Anse Lazio, Valle de Aldabra, and Vallee de Mai on Praslin where the coco palms grown in their natural state offer a spectacular sight to watch.

Anse Lazio is a crystal water lake with white sandy beaches and quiet waves. Aldabra is considered to be one of the largest coral reefs in the world, and it extends for 22 Km. Visiting these tourist attractions, especially during Christmas, will let you experience the joys and wonders of this festive season.

Shopping during Christmas

If you shop around, you will find unbelievable discounts and deals and this means that you will be able to find the perfect gift for anyone. Such deals will help you save more while you go shopping to celebrate Christmas in a very special way.

How do people celebrate Christmas in Seychelles?

Snowflakes falling onto your eyelashes, ice-skating on frozen lakes, making giant snowmen, warming up by a toasty fireplace, the smell of Christmas trees and roasting pine nuts – all wonderful, traditional images associated with Christmas time. But here is what is waiting for you in the Seychelles: lazing in the sunshine, walking by the shore of an endless blue expanse, making sandcastles, going fishing in ski boats. This is how it foes when someone decides to spend the December holidays on a tropical island in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

Christmas in the Seychelles is a special experience. The sun is almost always shining, sharing golden rays of warmth that are very welcome after the chilling Scottish winds. The air is light and salty. The ocean is always a clear blue, sparkling in the daylight. Victoria (the world’s smallest capital city) is unusually busy, masses of people moving down the single main street doing Christmas shopping in the numerous small shops dotting the sides of Revolution Avenue.

By night, it lights up with a spectacular array of Christmas lights and illuminated trees scattered around the centre. It is a winter wonderland, minus the snow, freezing cold and genuine Christmas trees. Seychellois choose to replace them with the tropical version of the pine tree or very accurate plastic versions. Family lunches at home leading up to the big day are replaced by barbecues at home, picnics on the beach or lunch on a boat. Door-to-door carolling is replaced by neighbours blasting local reggae tunes for all in the district to hear.

Xmas Deco Seychelles Night

The similar thing is alcohol consumption. Famous for local beer and rum, Seychellois love to party and drink. But pints at the pub are swapped by bottles on the beach, enjoying the sound of crashing waves and sultry evening breeze. Afternoons of snowball fights or skiing are exchanged with snorkelling or diving and cruises on a jet-ski.

Sand angels stand in for snow angels. Christmas lunch usually involves a roast and lots of wine, but also Seybrew lager, Takamaka coconut rum and barbecue ribs. In the evening Christmas festivities continue, extending into the night for a dance party involving more alcohol and the latest hits of the Indian Ocean region. Although the vibe is very different, the sentiments remain the same. 

Everyone is happy and excited to be celebrating Christmas. The pace of Christmas day is one that is considerably slowed down in the Seychelles, but no less enjoyable. Although the sights and sounds around may not be the first associations with Christmas time, they are no less unique.