They are putting “tides” on Yuletide.
A UK family living on a sailboat is having a minimalist Christmas at sea complete with gifts of seashells, fresh-caught fish and surfboards.
“For gifts, we keep things minimal, focusing on small practical items or experiences,” Stephanie Stevens, 35, told Kennedy News about their unlikely Christmas tradition. “These simple rituals keep the holiday spirit strong on board.”
She and her husband Richard, 40, come from Jersey but moved to their boat, Pinnacle, a year ago so they could sail their world. They share the ship with their two children, Jesse, three, and Roux, one.
Due to their seafaring lifestyle, the couple have been forced to downsize their possessions so they can fit comfortably into the cramped quarters, which means fewer presents than normal come Christmas time.
Still, the seafaring family gets away with swapping out traditional iPads and chocolates for “surprises like stickers, seashells, stationary and notepads,” Stevens said.
“A simple toy car has become a tradition,” explained the content creator. “The kids get one for every country we’ve visited and with 22 countries so far, their collection is growing.”
And while many children may shy away from sweaters and other clothing, practical clothing is much appreciated on the often choppy high seas.
“The clothes are another essential gift because the boys are constantly growing and their swimmers take a hit from the sun and salt water,” Stevens said.
This maritime Christmas may seem spartan compared to its land counterpart, but the Brits think it’s important to emphasize experiences over possessions.
“Christmas for us is less about ‘stuff’ and more about making special memories together, wherever we are in the world,” said Stevens. On the big day, they try to find a “good location” that is sheltered so they can drop anchor – provided the conditions are favorable.
Stevens said they also like to “research local traditions and try to get involved to enjoy experiences of different cultures and meet people.”
As for the holiday feast, “Christmas lunch is a bit unconventional, but perfect for our lifestyle,” she said. This means “BBQ surf and turf, with freshly caught fish and whatever local fruit and vegetables we can find”.
Children generally don’t mind that they can’t on vacation good sweet man man
“Our guys don’t really know what they’re missing at home,” Stevens said. “Jesse was only one during his last Christmas in Jersey, and Roux has yet to experience a ‘traditional’ Christmas.”
Despite the jingle of bells rocking the boat, the Stevens clan tries to preserve a little of the traditional Yuletide by decorating the boat with sentimental Christmas decorations that she filled before setting off on their world cruise.
“Inside, we have a small Christmas tree with ornaments passed down from my family, a material calendar, stockings, a festive table and Santa hats,” Stevens said. “We do our best to keep family traditions alive, no matter where we are.”
She added: “We bake Christmas cookies, put up a tree, even if it’s a small one, play Christmas carols and read festive stories together.”
This year, the family even has guests over so they can “fully embrace the holiday spirit.”
“My younger brother Freddie and his girlfriend Chelsea will be joining us on board, which makes it even more special,” Stevens said. “We are aiming to meet them around Bocas del Toro, Panama, where we plan to spend Christmas Day.
She added, “It’s said to have a fantastic atmosphere over the festive season and we’re hoping for the added bonus of a few surf sessions – a Christmas present we’d absolutely love.”
Stevens says that while the boys won’t be able to visit “Santa’s grotto” or skate on “a Christmas-lit rink,” they will have “something different: magical memories made together.”
“We make sure the season feels extra special, filling it with love, adventure and all the magic we can create,” she said.
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