Christmas, you might have noticed, is coming at us like a tinsel-bedecked juggernaut.

But fear not, the “no room at the inn” signs aren’t going up just yet. All you need is great surroundings, good company and perhaps the odd nibble or two. Here’s how to enjoy the festivities without all that washing-up.

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS

You know the score - there has to be mulled wine, mince pies, log fires, carols and a visit from Santa or it’s no deal. The spectacularly located Lake Vyrnwy Hotel (01691 870692, www.lakevyrnwy.com ) bills its celebrations as “three days of old-fashioned Christmas”. A three-night package starts at £585pp, rising to £735 for a premier lake-view room, including breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas, dinners and cocktail receptions, a day of country pursuits, live evening entertainment on Boxing Day and use of the spa thermal suite.

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The recently refurbished South Lodge Hotel(01403 891711, southlodgehotel.co.uk ), near Horsham, West Sussex, promises a “nostalgic welcome” and adds treasure hunts, a local choir and a “kids’ kitchen”, where they can learn to cook (or simply make a mess), to the usual festivities. A two-night package costs from £540pp for the works, apart from wine with meals. See www. exclusivehotels.co.uk for other hotels in the group.

The Craiglynne Hotel (01479 872597, www.crerarhotels.com ) in Grantown-on-Spey, near Aviemore, is offering a “traditional Scottish Christmas” from December 23 to 27. A torchlight parade in the town kicks off the celebrations. Four nights, dinner, breakfast and entertainment costs from £279pp.

The Goring Hotel (020 7396 9000, www.goringhotel.co.uk ), near Buckingham Palace, in Belgravia, has been in the same family for more than a century and the sense of tradition shines through. One of the Gorings will even greet you personally. A three-night, half-board Christmas package costs from £850pp. The hotel is part of Pride of Britain (0800 089 3929, www.pride ofbritainhotels.com ), which offers plenty of very traditional Christmases from its members across the UK.

Milsom Hotels (www.milsomhotels.com ), which includes Maison Talbooth in Dedham, Essex, and The Pier at Harwich, has a selection of packages. Also try Hand Picked Hotels (0845 458 0901, www.handpicked.co.uk ), Elite Hotels (www.elitehotels.co. uk ), Folio Hotels (0870 903 0007, www.foliohotels.com ), De Vere Hotels (0845 375 2808, www.devere-hotels.com ), Best Loved Hotels (0845 012 1700, www.bestloved.com ) and QHotels (0845 034 5777, www.qhotels.co.uk ).

MOVEABLE-FEAST CHRISTMAS

You don’t have to spend the holiday shuffling between sofa and table. Ramblers Worldwide Holidays (01707 331133, www.ramblersholidays.com ) has a number of Christmas and New Year breaks, including six days, half-board, with walks and excursions (Avebury, Bath, Silbury), based at Corsham, in Wiltshire, for £425pp.

The Youth Hostel Association(01629 592700, www.yha.org.uk ) has a variety of seasonal packages, including four nights (for £149, full-board) at Edale, in the Peak District, with the option of any or all of three guided all-day walks (£16 each). For ages 9 and up; there is an over18 option in the Lake District.

Too energetic? The Michelin-starred Holbeck Ghyll (015394 32375) on Lake Windermere offers a shorter guided walk on Christmas Day, as well as an optional cruise on the lake to help blow away the Christmas cobwebs. A four-night package costs from £925pp.

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