Christmas is unavoidable, so coming up with a plan of action is a must. No sooner have the stores taken down their Halloween displays than they're replacing them with huge icicles, gold stars and beaming Santas. Even those with a real love for Christmas can struggle to keep up with the pace for that long - there's no escape.

Or maybe there is, if you dare to try something different and break from the normal, society imposed, traditions...

It's not necessary to forget about Christmas altogether, unless of course you want to; rather, it’s a case of having a different type of Christmas, one which takes a bit more imagination and planning, but one which you will forever remember.

City breaks are always a popular choice and there are plenty to be had at a reasonable price for those shopping around. Prague and Vienna are ideal for such a break, as both are rich in history and wonderfully beautiful. You'll be able to walk around the Christmas markets, sample the various delicious types of foods and, of course, have a festive drink or two.

Venice is another great European city that will make your Christmas totally unforgettable. Gone are the crowds of summer tourists (the population is actually halved in the winter months), and so you can take in the unique Venetian culture and charms, with a little festive spirit sprinkled on top, at your own leisurely pace. If you're looking for a particularly romantic trip, then it’s absolutely ideal.

For those with a higher budget and looking for a decidedly less chilly Christmas, what better than a Caribbean island or the Maldives. With softly swaying palms, turquoise seas and freshly prepared gourmet food and drink, how much further could you get from rainy streets, empty sweet wrappers and yet another turkey sandwich?

If it's that traditional White Christmas you're dreaming of, then the ski resorts of Switzerland, France and Austria are great places to head for. Sunshine on crisp snow, pine-covered mountains and crackling log fires all make for that perfect Christmas card scene. And, away from the slopes, a glass or two of hot punch always goes down well as the snow softly falls.

Or, how about seeing the spectacular Northern Lights? Several destinations offer a great chance to see the Aurora Borealis in all its magnificent glory, including Finland, Norway, Sweden and The Yukon.

Then there is the ultimate Christmas experience - a visit to Lapland. What could be more perfect than spending your Christmas at the place that Mr. Christmas calls home. What could be better than watching, from within your snug log cabin, the snow fall outside as Reindeers run across the scenic landscape. For those of you with children, this can turn out to be the most memorable and magical trip of your lives.

There really is something for everyone in the range of Christmas hotel breaks available. Ask yourself, is another Christmas spent half asleep on the sofa, watching the same old Christmas specials on TV, something that you really want this year?