Families prefer Santa with sun to snow

Nearly half of families would choose a hot and sunny Christmas holiday over a snowy destination, a new survey of parents reveals.

Research from travel website Takethefamily.com finds 48 per cent of families would like to leave winter behind and holiday in the festive sun of destinations such as the Caribbean, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

However, staying at home proved to be more popular than going on a family ski trip, attracting nearly double the number of votes.

"Skiing with kids is a booming market. But families seem to prefer to leave their ski trips to the new year and particularly February half term," explained Takethefamily managing director Lucy Ace.

"More and more travel companies are tailoring Christmas winter sun packages towards families - with interconnecting rooms plus loads of well-organised fun for the kids. And Father Christmas always visits little ones wherever they are - even in the Caribbean."