• Traveling for Christmas became an expensive obligation instead of a joyful celebration for my husband and I.
• When our first child was born, we decided to put an end to the hectic travel and stay home for the holidays.
• Setting boundaries allowed us to create new traditions and enjoy a peaceful holiday.

Traveling in December is the worst. When I was a teenager, it's basically what ruined Christmas for me. After all, it's hard to get excited for the holidays when you spend your entire break from school bouncing back and forth between multiple households and celebrations, some at the homes of extended step-family you hardly even know. But this was life as a kid of divorced parents in the 90s.

Even once I was a real adult, my husband and I felt obligated to continue the pattern of bouncing from family to family during the holiday season. We didn't even have a Christmas tree since we'd never spent a Christmas at our own home. For us, Christmas became an expensive obligation instead of a joyful celebration.

Then we became parents

For our first child's first Christmas in 2006, no plan felt right. From where we lived, it was a 10-hour drive to my family, and a 4-hour flight to my husband's. Traveling with an eight-month-old didn't seem fun, but we'd also have to pick which set of grandparents would get to experience our daughter's first Christmas morning. The guilt and anxiety of my teenage and young adult years bubbled up and took over; instead of thinking about which age-appropriate toy would catch my baby girl's fleeting interests on Christmas morning, all I could think about was how much I hated it all. When I imagined telling my daughter sometime in the future about her first Christmas, I cringed. Did I really want to pass down my tradition of hating Christmas?

So, instead of mapping routes and checking flights, instead of asking any of our parents who else was coming in for Christmas and if they'd have room for us, instead of making lists of all the things our baby required that we'd have to pack in order to travel anywhere, I made a decision: we were staying home.

And so it came to pass that my first baby's first Christmas was my first peaceful Christmas in a very long time.

Setting this boundary was a gift to myself

What I didn't realize at the time was that I was giving myself a gift: I was learning to set boundaries. As a young parent, it's hard to know what advice to follow or ignore, especially with so many voices vying for attention and so many issues that need attending to. But by staying home and ending the cycle of chaotic Christmases, my husband and I set a boundary that let our families know we were our own family now. We could create our own traditions and have our own ideas of what was important to us.

Our decision to set boundaries was a gift that keeps on giving. I can see now that by establishing a precedent of not traveling for Christmas, we gave our children a dependable and safe place to land during their breaks from school. We gave them the gift of waking up in their own beds on Christmas mornings, even if "morning" is a little later than it used to be now that they are teenagers.

We now see our families when it's more convenient for us

It was difficult to break the news to our parents that first Christmas, but once we made the decision to not travel for a holiday that is stressful in the best of circumstances, we knew it was the right choice for us. Ultimately that boundary set a precedent that we would visit our families when we could make the most of our time together. One tradition we've started is driving to see my family just after the school year is over. It's been great because the weather is still mild so we can spend time outside, and we have the flexibility to stay longer or take a detour on our road trip if we want to.

What's also great is that my children don't hate Christmas like I did. It's possible their attitudes rubbed off on me a little. After all, I am the one who has purchased matching Christmas pajamas for us for the last few years. For me, that truly is a Christmas miracle.

• From Christmas markets to light displays, small towns across the US get into the holiday spirit.
• Helen, Georgia, is a recreation of a Bavarian alpine village that goes all-out for Christmas.
• Santa Claus arrives by boat during Nantucket, Massachusetts' annual Christmas Stroll.

From dazzling festivals of light to towering Christmas trees, there are plenty of ways for small towns across the US to celebrate the holidays.

Whether you're celebrating the holiday season in a quaint New England town or hitting the slopes in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, there's no wrong way to get in the holiday spirit.

For local small businesses, hotels, and restaurants, the holiday season offers more than just festive cheer — it's also a prime opportunity to generate income from tourism. Day-trippers and overnight tourists boost local economies while getting to enjoy festive holiday markets, local restaurants, quaint and cozy inns, and more.

Keep reading to discover the best Christmas towns in the US, from Alaska to North Carolina.

North Pole, Alaska

North Pole, Alaska, is decked out in Christmas decorations year-round, although it's an especially festive place to be during the holiday season.

It's only fitting that there's a town called North Pole in Alaska. The small town, which has a population of just 2,285 people, keeps the holiday spirit alive all year long. However, the North Pole is especially festive around the holidays.

The North Pole's post office is a famous local attraction that reportedly receives over 400,000 letters addressed to Santa Claus every year, Travel Alaska reported.

Solvang, California

Solvang, California, is an adorable Danish-inspired village located in the Santa Ynez Valley, up the coast from Santa Barbara.

The town feels festive all year round, although Solvang stands out during the holiday season. Every year, the European-inspired town hosts Julefest, a holiday celebration complete with Christmas tree lighting, plenty of holiday shopping, and Danish treats.

Mystic, Connecticut

Visitors to Mystic, Connecticut, can stroll around the town's harbor to admire the elaborately decorated boats, watch Santa Claus arrive by tugboat, or grab a slice at the town's most famous restaurant, Mystic Pizza.

Helen, Georgia

The downtown of Helen, Georgia, is a recreation of a Bavarian alpine village that only gets more adorable once it's decorated for the holidays.

While the town is famous for its Oktoberfest celebration, Helen also comes alive around the holidays.

The town has a Christmas market and parade featuring costumed characters, floats, and Santa Claus himself. There are also festive lights, a breakfast with Santa, and the opportunity to buy your gifts at Helen's own Christmas Shoppe.

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Frankenmuth, also known as Michigan's Little Bavaria, is one of the coziest places to spend the holidays. The town's architecture will make you feel as if you've been transported to Europe, and it's even better when it's covered in snow.

The town is also home to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, which, at 320,000 square feet, calls itself the world's largest Christmas store.

Silverton, Oregon

Silverton is a tiny town in Oregon, although it's arguably the most festive place in the state during the holiday season.

The Silverton Christmas Market at the Oregon Garden Resort is a popular holiday event in Silverton. During this event, the gardens are lit up with festive light displays, snowless tubing, a Biergarten, and a vendor market.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Many people only associate the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts, with summer vacations, although the town is filled with holiday charm in the offseason.

You may not want to swim in the frigid Atlantic Ocean but the beach is just as charming in the winter thanks to its beautifully decorated lighthouses.

Nantucket also holds an annual Christmas Stroll festival, during which visitors can shop at discounted prices at many of the island's shops and watch Santa arrive by boat into Nantucket Harbor.

Sun Valley, Idaho

It's nearly impossible to avoid holiday cheer in Sun Valley, Idaho.

The charming ski town goes all out — its celebrations include Christmas light displays, tree lightings, and visits from Santa Claus.

Santa Claus, Indiana

What better place to spend the holidays than a town called Santa Claus?

The Indiana town is well-known for its post office, appropriately located on Kringle Place, where thousands of children mail their letters to Santa every year.

There's also a large Santa statue that stands outside the post office year-round, serving up a dose of Christmas cheer even in the summer.

Branson, Missouri

Branson is a go-to spot for Missourians looking to get into the holiday spirit.

From live shows to holiday lights and shopping, Branson has everything you could ask for in a festive night out. It also offers natural beauty like snowy vistas at Table Rock Lake.

McAdenville, North Carolina

Located outside Charlotte, McAdenville also goes by "Christmas Town, USA" during the holiday season.

The name is fitting since it's one of the best places to view holiday lights and decorations in the country. Beginning December 1 — and sometimes, even earlier — homes and buildings all over town are aglow in lights and decorations until the day after Christmas.

Woodstock, Vermont

Woodstock, Vermont, is widely regarded as one of the most quintessentially New England towns in the country. Gorgeous in both the fall and the dead of winter, Woodstock has a number of festive attractions and activities.

If you're planning to stay in town over the holidays or the winter season, try to book a room at the cozy and festive Woodstock Inn. Each guest suite has its own fireplace perfect for cuddling up next to with a cup of hot cocoa and a copy of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas."

Stowe, Vermont

People love to visit Stowe, Vermont, in the wintertime for skiing and other outdoor activities, but the town especially comes alive during the holiday season.

Stowe offers a beautiful winter landscape and hosts an annual tree-lighting ceremony, a holiday bazaar, and ice skating.

Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth, Washington, is a small Bavarian-inspired town with amazing Christmas lights.

Every year, Leavenworth's downtown is decorated in lights and the town's annual Christmas market keeps the holiday festivities going all season long.

Jackson, Wyoming

The ski town is famous for its arches made of elk antlers, which are covered in Christmas lights during the holiday season and provide the perfect opportunity for family photo ops.

Outdoor enthusiasts can also hit the slopes at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort or enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the multiple surrounding national parks.

• Since 2017, I've been skipping family holiday gatherings to travel solo.
• I've found that I score some of the best deals when flying on major holidays.
• One of the biggest perks of traveling during the holidays is skipping the inevitable family drama.

In 2017, I decided to take my first-ever solo trip — a weeklong jaunt to London during Christmas.

I was single for the first time in a while, with no real holiday plans, and some "free" vacation days since my office was closed for the week.

I didn't expect my first trip to plant the seed for an annual tradition, but now, I spend the holidays on vacation every year.

Here are some of the biggest perks to traveling solo during this time of year.

I've found ways to travel for really cheap during holidays

Traveling around the holidays can get expensive, and airports are usually as busy as ever on days leading up to major holidays.

However, I've found you can score cheap flights when you're willing to travel on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, or New Year's Day.

For example, on my first Christmas trip in 2017, I flew from Los Angeles to London on Christmas Eve (with a return on New Year's Eve) for less than $900. An added bonus? Getting to see New Year's Eve fireworks as we flew over LA.

Christmas isn't the only holiday for cheap flights, either. In 2022, I flew from Palm Springs to Puerto Vallarta over Thanksgiving for less than $500 — about $300 cheaper than non-holiday weeks at the time.

Many popular destinations are less crowded during the holidays

During my trip to London, I booked a day trip to Stonehenge for the day after Christmas. However, I failed to realize December 26 is Boxing Day, a major holiday in the UK.

This worked out incredibly well, as our tour bus was only half-full, and Stonehenge itself was nearly empty.

Aside from major shopping destinations like Oxford Street or Harrod's, London also felt less crowded, and it was easy to get last-minute access to tours and museums.

I've found that it's not just major cities that see fewer crowds, either. When I spend Christmas at a beachfront resort in Mexico, it's the only time of year I don't have to wake up early to find a chair by the pool.

I can skip the drama and join family celebrations virtually

One of the biggest perks of traveling during the holidays is skipping the inevitable family drama. Whether it's politics, a passive-aggressive slight, or a family grudge that spans generations, holiday get-togethers tend to be a powder keg just waiting for a spark.

After years of therapy and a lot of healing work, I've fallen in love with prioritizing my peace — even if that means skipping a family holiday.

With today's technology, I can always join the major moments via video call. If things get heated, it's easy enough to hang up and get right back to vacation mode.

• Many small towns across the United States resemble quaint European villages.
• Helen, Georgia's downtown area resembles a quiet Bavarian alpine village.
• Solvang, California, is a Danish-inspired village that feels festive year-round.

You don't have to take a transatlantic flight to feel like you're in Europe this holiday season.

Across the United States, small towns draw inspiration from European countries like Switzerland, Germany, and Sweden with local traditions, Christmas markets, and quaint architecture.

Plus, as many Americans are seeking to spend less this holiday season, you can avoid the expense of an international flight while still exploring a new place for the holidays.

Here are seven small towns in the US that will make you feel like you jetted off to Europe for the holidays.

Solvang, California

Solvang, California, will make you feel as if you've been transported to a quaint European town. It's an adorable Danish-inspired village located in the Santa Ynez Valley, up the coast from Santa Barbara. 

Founded by Danish-American settlers from the Midwest in the early 1900s, the town is filled with Danish-inspired architecture. There are even replicas of Copenhagen's Little Mermaid statue and Round Tower, plus bakeries and restaurants that sell Danish cuisine.

The town feels festive all year round, although Solvang comes alive around the holidays. Every year, the European-inspired town hosts Julefest, a holiday celebration complete with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping, and Danish treats.

Helen, Georgia

Surrounded by mountains and forests, Helen, Georgia, features architecture that will seemingly transport you to a quaint German alpine village, complete with restaurants serving German cuisine such as bratwurst, schnitzel, and Sauerbraten.

While the town is famous for its Oktoberfest celebration, Helen also offers a number of festive events during the holidays. The town has a Christmas market and parade featuring costumed characters, floats, and Santa Claus himself, plus festive lights and a breakfast with Santa during the Christmas season.

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Frankenmuth, also known as Michigan's Little Bavaria, is one of the coziest places to spend the holidays. The town's architecture will make you feel as if you've been transported to Europe, and it's even better when it's covered in snow.

The town is also home to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, which, at 320,000 square feet, calls itself the world's largest Christmas store.

Leavenworth, Washington

Remodeled in the 1960s to resemble a European ski town, Leavenworth features Bavarian-inspired architecture that will make you feel like you're in a quaint European town, not central Washington.

For the holidays, Leavenworth's downtown is decorated in lights and the town's annual Christmas market keeps the holiday festivities going all season long.

Vail, Colorado

Vail, partially modeled after the Swiss ski resort Zermatt, is nestled in the Colorado Rockies and attracts visitors from all over the world each winter.

The town might be best known for its ski slopes, but the European-inspired charm doesn't stop there. Shops and restaurants also take inspiration from Switzerland.

New Glarus, Wisconsin

New Glarus, named after the canton of Glarus in eastern Switzerland, was founded in 1845 by Swiss immigrants, and much of the town still reflects that history.

Chalet-like buildings and events like the Heidi Folk Festival make this town feel like a quaint Swiss village. Visitors can also buy chocolate and other goods imported directly from Europe. New Glarus is also home to the only Swiss Heritage organization in the United States and the Swiss Historical Village Museum.

Lindsborg, Kansas

Settled in 1869 by Swedish immigrants and known as Little Sweden, Lindsborg resembles a small Swedish town.

Around town, you'll spot colorfully painted dala horses that line the town's streets, as well as bakeries selling traditional Swedish treats like lingonberry bars and pancakes.

Every other year in October, the town holds its Svensk Hyllningsfest, a festival where locals dress in traditional Swedish clothing and participate in folk dancing and other traditions to celebrate the Swedish pioneers who created the community.

• Thanksgiving air travel hits a record high with 232,000 flights in the US.
• Previous records were set last year with 2.9 million TSA screenings in one day.
• Minimal flight disruptions were reported, but Northeast snowstorms may impact travel.

Air travel in the US has shattered previous records for Thanksgiving — while maintaining unprecedented reliability.

From Sunday, November 24, to Thanksgiving Day, the Federal Aviation Administration documented 232,000 flights across the US - the highest number ever recorded during Thanksgiving week.

This week has already broken several records: roughly 2.7 million passengers passed through TSA each day on Tuesday and Wednesday, setting a record for a Tuesday before Thanksgiving. About 1.6 million passengers passed through on Thursday, Reuters reported.

Industry group Airlines for America estimates that more than 3 million passengers will fly in the US on Sunday. If reached, this would surpass last year's record of 2.9 million passengers screened on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

So far, Thanksgiving air travel has also never been less chaotic — 0.3% of flights have been canceled and 1.2% have been impacted by delays — fewer than ever this time of year, according to the FAA.

That could change for those flying in and out of the Northeast. Parts of New England may be covered in snow by Friday morning, while a predicted lake-effect storm from Cleveland to Buffalo, New York, could bring five feet of snow this weekend and into next week.

• When my son came home from college, he spent the night at a friend's house without telling me.
• We learned that communication is the most important — even though he is more independent now.
• We are still learning the balance between friend time and family time.

My son went to college about an hour and a half away, which was far enough away that he needed to live on campus. But it was close enough that he could pop home for a weekend. I was thrilled.

One of the first times he returned home over the holidays, he visited a high school friend in the evening. When I woke up in the morning, his bed was empty. I knew, logically, that he was probably still at his friend's. But as his mother, I was worried.

When he came home later that morning, we talked. He said they'd stayed up late chatting. It was snowing. He decided to stay over but didn't want to text at 2 a.m. and wake me up. These were all very reasonable decisions.

I told him I knew he didn't have to tell anyone if he went to a friend's on-campus dorm or apartment and ended up crashing for the night. But when he's home, his parents worry. I'd much rather be woken up by a 2 a.m. text than wake up to the chilling realization that he wasn't there in the morning.

It was a simple misunderstanding. It was also the first time I realized that he was a full-fledged adult and things wouldn't be the same. Here are a few tips that helped us navigate this new phase of life.

I understand he's becoming more independent

I know my son is much more independent now than when he lived at home. He's doing all the stereotypical college kid tasks like laundry and grocery shopping. He's responsible for registering for classes, buying his books and materials, and handling the logistics of being in school.

With those extra responsibilities, he also gets extra freedom at school. I don't know where he is unless I call or text him, and he chooses to tell me. He makes hundreds of small decisions year-round that I don't even know about.

When he's home with us, he doesn't have a curfew, which has been a weird adjustment for me. But he does let us know if he's planning to go out and if there's a chance he might spend the night at a friend's. I don't think of it as checking up on him. I think of it as all of us being considerate of each other. It helps us to plan for dinner and to know whether to include him in any family activities that day.

We learned to juggle family time and friend time

It can hurt to admit it, but we're not the only people my son wants to see when he comes home. Holidays mean his high school friends are also back in town.

He's part of a tight-knit group, and despite going their separate ways for college, they're still close. I'm glad. I want him to have healthy friendships. But it means we have to work out when he'll be with us as a family and when he'll see his friends.

I let him know if we're planning something where I would like everyone together. Holiday meals are important to us. But we also drive to the mountains the day after Thanksgiving to cut down our Christmas tree, and I love having the whole family there.

He and I both try to be flexible. I don't care which day we cut down a tree, so we can switch if he has plans. He's also willing to rearrange outings with friends. If we talk things out and compromise, no one person's feelings are always ignored.

I want my son to build good relationships with his friends, but I appreciate that he values what's important to us as a family as well. I also want him to look forward to coming home. If we constantly make him feel guilty for spending time with others, this won't be an inviting place.

There can be challenges with younger siblings

I'll admit that it took me a while to realize how self-sufficient my son has become. It was also hard for his younger siblings.

For example, our kids can have a soda on the weekends but not during the week. When my college kid came home and reached for a soda on a Wednesday, his siblings lost their minds.

We explained that they would be allowed to make more independent decisions about what was good for them as they got older. While I didn't ask my older son to stop drinking soda during the week, I did ask if he could be a little less obvious about it.

It can be tricky when you send your kid off to college, only to have him return as more of an adult the next time you see them. But that is the point. My job is to teach my kids to be more independent so that, eventually, they can take care of themselves.

• American Airlines is rolling out tech that calls out passengers who try to board before their turn.
• Travelers can expect to see it in action at more than 100 airports this holiday season.
• The new tech also gives staff more info on passengers' connections and boarding groups.

American Airlines is cracking down on passengers who try to sneak their way into an earlier boarding group.

The airline is introducing new technology that helps gate agents catch overeager boarders at more than 100 airports across the country, the company said in a press release Wednesday.

When a flyer tries to board their flight in an earlier boarding group than they're assigned, the gate agent's scanner will recognize the incorrect boarding group and notify them with a special two-tone sound. That alerts the agent to tell the passenger to wait their turn — and could also draw unwanted attention to the passenger.

Boarding groups are designed to allow passengers with more expensive tickets, US military members, and certain airline status-holders to get on the plane earlier than those who haven't earned or bought these benefits.

"We've heard from our customers that the ability to board with their assigned group is important to them because it's a benefit associated with their AAdvantage status or fare purchase," Julie Rath, a senior vice president at the airline, said in the company's press release.

American has tested out this new software over the past month at airports in Tucson, Arizona; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Washington, DC. The airline said that because it received a positive response from both customers and team members during this trial period, it decided to roll out the tech in time for the holiday travel season.

Flyers can now expect the updates at non-hub airports in cities like Austin, Texas, and Atlanta. The company's hubs — which include airports in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles — will be getting the tech in the coming months, the airline said.

While the crackdown may be bad news for boarding group hoppers, it's likely great news for airline workers. Seasoned travelers, flight attendants, and gate staff say that people crowding the gate before boarding begins or trying to jump the boarding line is one of their biggest pet peeves. They even call some of these passengers "gate lice."