The festive season is hurtling towards us and it’s the perfect time to get together with friends and family and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Looking for an alternative way to spend the holidays? A chance to get away from it all and take some time out for you? Then why not plan a Christmas camping trip and celebrate where you know you love to be? If the great outdoors is calling, these helpful tips on how to plan a memorable Christmas under the stars are sure to inspire you.

Decorate your camp

With a bit of creativity, you can use lights to fashion a festive atmosphere. As well as your usual camping lights, you could add a lantern, or some twinkling fairy lights. Battery powered lights are easiest.

For the rest of the decorations, why not make them reflect your surroundings? Go natural and head out for a mini forage to see what you can collect. Pine cones, a few sprigs of holly… anything you can use to make some garlands or a Christmas wreath. It’s all about creating that festive feeling around your camp.

Plan your evenings

Whilst your daytimes will no doubt be filled with all your favourite outside activities, it’s important to plan what you’ll do during your Christmas camping trip evenings.

Whether you’re pausing for breath and simply enjoying the peace and tranquillity, or you’re more for having a good time with friends and family, there is always something memorable to do when you’re spending a few nights outdoors.

How about a spot of Christmas Eve stargazing? The sight of a clear night sky, twinkling with stars, is so festive, and something you’ll never forget. Winter is one of the best seasons to enjoy a stunning display, especially either side of the new moon.

Sitting around the campfire with the ones you love, especially at Christmas, is the stuff that lifetime memories are made of. Adding in a few games can really help to get everyone in the festive spirit. Plan a few activities ahead of your trip so you’ve got your seasonal entertainment at the ready. Here are a few campfire games to get you started.

Prepare your Christmas menu

For the family with a love for the outdoors, a Christmas dinner around the campfire is one of the most convivial experiences. Some of the best-tasting meals of our lives are consumed after we’ve worn ourselves out physically. So, if you’ve been pushing yourself over the first few days of your trip, why not celebrate Christmas Day cosied up and sharing a good cook-off around the campfire?

A Dutch oven is ideal for cooking festive fayre. You can literally cook anything in one of these, from roast turkey to hearty stews, and all the trimmings. Check out this video showing you how to cook a Christmas dinner in a Petromax Dutch oven. And if you’re looking for some sweet treats, have a go at making some popcorn. Simple and fun to make, all it takes is some butter, sugar and salt thrown into the Dutch oven, followed by your popping corn.

There’s nothing more festive than oranges at Christmas. We came across this idea for chocolate orange bomb cakes and can’t wait to try them. Just cut off the tops of some oranges, scoop out the insides and add to a chocolate cake mix. Spoon the lot back inside the orange, replace the lids and wrap in foil. Throw into the embers of your campfire and leave for about 15-20 minutes. Give them a few minutes to cool before devouring.

Get ready for warm winter camping

Cosying up over Christmas is easy under canvas with a few insider hacks. From layering up to packing a hot water bottle, from choosing the right sleeping bag to making sure you go to bed warm, and from insulating your tent floor to investing in a good blanket, there is plenty you can do to make sure your festive getaway is blissful.

Check out our seven ways to warm winter camping for the tips you need to stay warm under canvas this Christmas.

Merry Christmas camping everyone!

Christmas camping can be truly memorable experience, leaving you with festive memories that will last a lifetime.

Providing you prepare in advance, you’re sure to have the best time. So get planning, and don’t forget your kit!