This year, the industrious elves at Love Home Swap have carefully mapped out Santa’s around-the-world route and identified the most convenient ho-ho-holiday homes for him to visit on his annual circuit. And just to be sure, they’ve also created a checklist of the most Santa-friendly features to ensure he has a great stopover when he swings by.
Santa’s route around the world on Christmas Eve.
Destinations that Santa will be visiting this Christmas Eve...
Vanatu, South Pacific
Where he’ll be visiting: Pavilion style home on the beach
Home swap in Vanatu, South Pacific
Queenstown, New Zealand
Where he’ll be visiting: Modern Alpine apartment near Queenstown
Home swap near Queenstown, New Zealand
Sydney, Australia
Where he’ll be visiting: Architect-designed bush retreat
Bali, Indonesia
Where he’ll be visiting: Luxury villa with pool in Ubud
Singapore
Where he’ll be visiting: Spacious family home with pool in Bukit Timah
Home swap in Bukit Timah, Singapore
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Where he’ll be visiting: Luxury lakeside villa with extensive grounds
Home swap in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Western Cape, South Africa
Where he’ll be visiting: Stunning studio cottage in Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Nairobi, Kenya
Where he’ll be visiting: Spacious home in a leafy green compound
Lazio, Italy
Where he’ll be visiting: Stunning villa with pool, near Rome
Home swap in Lazio, Italy
Linz, Austria
Where he’ll be visiting: Alpine home in Salzkammergut
Chamonix, France
Where he’ll be visiting : Luxury chalet in the mountains
Home swap in Chamonix, France
South Downs, England
Where he’ll be visiting: Family home with pool in Chichester, South Downs
Loch Lomond, Scotland
Where he’ll be visiting: 500-year-old castle in Aberfoyle
Home swap in Aberfoyle, Scotland
British Colombia, Canada
Where he’ll be visiting: Roomy duplex with ocean views on Victoria Island
Quebec, Canada
Where he’ll be visiting: Cosy apartment in Tremblant
Utah, United States
Where he’ll be visiting: Large home in ski and golf park in Kamas
Home swap in Kamas, Utah
Colorado, United States
Where he’ll be visiting: Modern stylish home in the Colorado Mountains
North Carolina, United States
Where he’ll be visiting: Charming, historic log cabin in Macon County
Jalisco, Mexico
Where he’ll be visiting: Palatial state overlooking the Chapala Mountains
Home swap in Jalisco, Mexico
Santiago, Chile
Where he’ll be visiting: Cosy family home in Chicureo
If you’re thinking about home swapping this Christmas (or even staying with relatives!) make sure your home is Santa-ready by following these simple rules:
- Make sure there’s a big, clean chimney – Santa visits more than a billion homes,* so it’s important to make sure the chimney is as clear as possible so he’ll have no trouble getting in and out. Don’t have a chimney? No problem, simply put your stockings in a prominent place to help Santa identify who is home!
- Provide him with a parking space – Santa’s sleigh has nine reindeer, and it’s filled to the brim with gifts. A big roof ensures Santa has somewhere to park while delivering his presents, or alternatively a driveway or garden is ideal. Don’t have either of these? Don’t stress! Santa is very accommodating, so on-street parking will do just fine.
- Light up your windows – Windows provide the perfect opportunity to string up some lights around the home. In addition to being a fun Christmas tradition, lights will help guide Santa’s sleigh at night, and ensure he can see your house when he arrives. As a bonus, you can leave signs in the windows to let him know you’re there.
- Leave some treats – Santa, Rudolph, Comet and the rest of the crew will appreciate the chance to recharge their batteries, so make sure there’s plenty of fridge space to store snacks for them. After all, travelling more than 25 million miles** in one night is bound to work up an appetite.
- Light a candle or two – We all know that Santa loves the North Pole, so make your holiday home smell like his home by lighting a fern or gingerbread-scented candle, and pop it on the mantlepiece.
- Don’t forget Mrs. Claus – As a thank you to Mrs. Claus for her support in making sure children all over the world get their presents, help the kids draw her a picture or make an ornament that Santa can take home with him!
