“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” according to the lyrics of one of the more traditional Christmas songs. “Hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near,” as we celebrate with family and friends. Expectations run high at this magical time of the year while we strive for a perfect day with little touches to make the occasion extra special. And once you’ve experienced the unique charm of spending Christmas in a caravan, there’ll be no going back.

Read on to discover why caravanning at Christmas is the ultimate Yuletide experience, particularly at a Litchfield Caravan Park.

Location, Location, Location

If you’re planning to spend Christmas in a caravan, you need a venue fit for the occasion. Christmas is a time to raise the bar, and it helps to have a range of excellent facilities on site.

Litchfield Safari Camp is the ideal place to make caravanning at Christmas easier and much more fun. It has all the facilities you’d expect from the premier Litchfield Safari Camp.

First up, there’s the landscaped pool area where you can laze and relax after a long Christmas lunch. A camp kitchen, amenities block, and campfire areas add an extra dimension of support to your stay.

Aside from all these extras, some of the most beautiful hikes are set in stunning scenery right on the doorstep. These are ideal for working off those extra calories after a day of gourmet celebrations.

Decorate Your Caravan

Less is more when creating the Christmas vibe in a caravan. You don’t need to replicate Santa’s grotto to get that Christmassy feeling. Stick to some fake snow spray and tinsel for the windows and rope fairy lights around the caravan door.

Christmas is only complete with a tree, so place yours strategically under the awning. You could improvise by collecting fallen branches and decorating them with baubles and lights.

Get the kids involved by delegating the creation of a wreath for the caravan door. Encourage them to glean the surrounding area for grasses, twigs and leaves. Bring some twine or wire to act as a frame, along with some fake snow spray, ribbon and dried orange slices to add a Christmas touch.

Practical Christmas Gifts

Space is always an issue when caravanning, so you need to be resourceful when deciding on what to buy the family for their Christmas gifts. Here are some practical ideas:

For the kids, you could go for an inflatable unicorn they can enjoy in their Litchfield Caravan Park pool. These kinds of toys are flat and small before you pump them up, so they are ideal as “Christmas in a caravan” gifts.

Alternatively, you could buy:

  • A badminton set to be used at the site
  • A mask, snorkel and flippers for the natural pools in Litchfield National Park
  • A jigsaw with a Northern Territory theme

For adults, why not make the gifts useful for the occasion? For example, you could buy

  • A set of special wine glasses
  • A guidebook about birdwatching in the Northern Territory
  • Some bespoke knives for the family cook
  • A personalised caravan mat
  • A rechargeable torch and lantern

Food, Glorious Food!

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without all the trimmings. Sitting down together for a long, leisurely Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch is what makes the season jolly.

It all starts with the prep, so here are a few things to remember to pack:

  • Table decorations such as Christmas napkins, crackers and tinsel
  • Proper wine glasses to drink from
  • A Christmas tablecloth or runner

One of the benefits of the Australian weather at Christmas is being able to barbecue outdoors. Barbecues are ideal for cooking turkeys and chickens. You can prepare a marinade well in advance using a mix of oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary, cumin, garlic, lemon juice, white wine and olive oil.

Litchfield Caravan Park at Litchfield Safari Camp boasts a communal kitchen area with barbecue facilities, a small fridge, kettles, a deep sink and filtered water. This adds a wealth of extra space when caravanning at Christmas, making everything from cooking to cleaning up more practical.

After marinating for 24 hours or so, fill the cavity of your bird with pre-prepared stuffing. Rub the outer skin with duck fat or butter and season well with salt and pepper.

When the bird has reached room temperature, wrap it tightly in foil and barbecue it, allowing 40 minutes of cooking time per kilo. You’ll know when the bird is ready, as the juices will run clear when you pierce the skin. It is vital to let the bird rest once cooked.

The more preparation you can do, the better. You could reheat roast potatoes and other vegetables you’ve cooked the day before or have brought with you. You can also buy pre-prepared gravy and sauces. Make some mulled wine to bring on your trip for a bit of extra Christmas cheer.

For dessert, use pre-prepared meringue and long-life whipping cream. Improvise your traditional pavlova with fruits of the season and a good sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar.

Christmas Activities

Board games are a post-lunch staple when spending Christmas in a caravan. But the real excitement lies in the outdoor activities available at your Litchfield Caravan Park. You could take a hike to Wangi Falls or simply relax next to Litchfield Safari Camp’s new pool area, soaking up the holiday spirit.

You could also keep the kids entertained by organising a treasure hunt or with a game or two of the new bowling game you bought them for Christmas! Trying out their new inflatable toy in the pool will be a must, too.

Christmas in a Caravan at Litchfield Caravan Park

Caravanning at Christmas gets a whole new sparkle at Litchfield Safari Camp. There are lots of extra amenities, from barbecues to hot showers and a state-of-the-art pool area that will make a stay over the festive season extra special.

Give yourself the perfect Christmas gift by booking your Christmas caravan break at Litchfield Safari Camp today!