Holidays at Home vs. the Campground: Finding Our Family's Perfect Balance

Peggy Sue was our first real camper. And we were just getting started then!

How our holiday camping traditions have changed over the years—and why we've learned that celebrating together matters more than where we celebrate.

The holidays are supposed to be a time to slow down, celebrate, and enjoy the people we love. But sometimes, between the planning, cooking, traveling, decorating, and endless activities, the holidays can become downright exhausting.

Over the years, our family has celebrated holidays both at home and at the campground. We've made wonderful memories around campfires, enjoyed Thanksgiving dinners in our camper, and welcomed the New Year miles away from home.

And while I love a good holiday camping trip, I've also learned something along the way.

Not every holiday needs to be spent at the campground. And not every holiday needs to be spent at home.

For our family, finding the right balance has made our holidays more meaningful, relaxing, and fun.

This was our first camping trip as a family. He has grown up camping, and I hope he never loosing his love for it!

How Our Thanksgiving Camping Tradition Began

Thanksgiving camping has become one of our family's favorite traditions. And it all started back in 2017.

That year, we joined friends for a camping trip in a borrowed tent. We hadn't even purchased our first camper, Peggy Sue, yet. That would happen at the end of the year.

Little did we know that one camping trip would turn into a tradition that we would continue for years to come.

I actually shared that first experience in one of my earliest blog posts, Friendsgiving at the Campground. Looking back at those memories reminds me just how much our camping adventures have grown since then.

In the beginning, we would head to the campground the day after Thanksgiving. It was a fun way to kick off the Christmas season, spend time with friends, and enjoy a few days outdoors.

That first camping trip, it was very cold with a burn ban and freezing temps. But that didn't keep us from giving the camping life a real go!

But as the years passed, our tradition grew.

We started arriving earlier and staying longer. Eventually, our little post-Thanksgiving getaway turned into a full week of camping, from Sunday to Sunday.

And I absolutely love it!

There's something special about Thanksgiving at the campground. The crisp fall air, changing leaves, beautiful hikes, and evenings spent around a campfire make the entire week feel like a celebration.

It's a slower pace that gives us time to enjoy the season without feeling rushed.

For me, Thanksgiving camping has become the perfect way to welcome the holiday season ahead.

When Holiday Camping Started Feeling Like Work

For years, we also camped every Easter. It was another holiday tradition that we looked forward to.

But a few years ago, we made a change. We stayed home for Easter, and somehow, we never really picked that camping tradition back up.

And you know what? That's okay.

I think there was a time when I felt like we needed to make the most of every holiday and long weekend by planning a camping trip.

I love camping. I love planning our adventures. And I love the memories we make along the way.

But sometimes, all of that planning started feeling like another chore.

Packing the camper, preparing meals, getting everything ready, traveling, setting up, and then coming home to unpack could make a short holiday weekend feel like more work than relaxation.

Even when we had a wonderful time, I sometimes found myself wishing we had just stayed home.

I began to realize that loving camping doesn't mean we have to camp every chance we get.

Sometimes, staying home is exactly what we need.

Our tradition is fun post Thanksgiving hike every year at Oak Mountain State Park!

Why We're Taking Longer Trips and Fewer Weekend Getaways

One of the biggest changes in how we camp has been shifting toward longer trips instead of lots of shorter ones.

We still enjoy weekend camping trips, but we don't take nearly as many as we used to.

Instead, we've started planning longer adventures, especially during the fall and winter months.

From early fall through the end of the year, we spend roughly four weeks traveling and camping.

These longer trips have become some of our favorites.

We can settle into a campground, enjoy the area, explore nearby attractions, cook meals, ride our bikes, and relax without feeling like we're constantly packing up to leave.

And quite frankly, I think longer trips are less work and more fun!

When we stay somewhere for a week or more, we have time to enjoy the experience instead of rushing through it.

I shared some of our plans and excitement for the season in our Fall 2025 camping adventures. Fall has become one of our favorite times to travel, and planning longer trips gives us more opportunities to enjoy everything the season has to offer.

This change has also given us more time at home between trips. We can enjoy our house, take care of things that need attention, and simply have a weekend without a packed schedule.

It's a balance that has made camping feel more like the adventure we love and less like another item on our to-do list.

Traditions and pets are the only things that have changed over the years for us. This little one isn't so little any more!

The Magic of Celebrating Holidays at the Campground

There is something wonderful about spending a holiday at the campground.

You can celebrate with all of your favorite family traditions or create something completely new.

Maybe you prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in your RV. Maybe you cook over the campfire, enjoy a potluck with camping friends, or spend the day hiking instead of watching television.

There really aren't any rules.

And that's part of what makes it so special.

Camping gives families the opportunity to rewrite their holiday traditions in the great outdoors.

One of the things I love about holiday camping is finding ways to bring our favorite foods and traditions along for the adventure. A wonderful holiday meal doesn't have to happen in a traditional kitchen.

For example, our Perfectly Brined Dutch Oven Turkey is a great example of how you can prepare a memorable holiday meal while camping. Dutch oven cooking is one of my favorite ways to enjoy outdoor meals, and a holiday is a perfect opportunity to put those skills to use.

Our Thanksgiving trips are filled with many of the things I love most about fall. Beautiful scenery, cool mornings, campfires, hiking, and time together.

We don't need an elaborate itinerary or expensive activities to make the week special.

Sometimes, a beautiful state park, a good hiking trail, and an evening around the fire are more than enough.

Those simple moments are often the ones I remember most.

Our After-Christmas Camping Tradition

Another trip that has become a favorite for our family is our annual getaway after Christmas.

We typically leave the day after Christmas and stay gone until after New Year's Day.

I love this trip for an entirely different reason than Thanksgiving.

By the time Christmas arrives, we've spent weeks preparing, celebrating, shopping, decorating, and enjoying all of the activities that come with the season.

It's wonderful, but it can also be a lot.

Our after-Christmas camping trip feels like a reset.

It's an opportunity to slow down after the holiday rush, enjoy time together, and start thinking about the year ahead.

There's something refreshing about ending one year and beginning another somewhere different.

Sometimes we explore new places. Other times, we simply enjoy the slower pace of campground life.

Either way, it's a tradition I look forward to every year.

There is something special about cooking our Thanksgiving turkey at the campground.

Why Some Holidays Are Better at Home

As much as I love our camping traditions, I've come to appreciate the holidays we spend at home just as much.

Sometimes, staying home means less preparation, fewer things to pack, and more time to relax.

We can enjoy our own kitchen, our familiar routines, and the comfort of home.

There are no reservations to make, campsites to set up, or travel schedules to coordinate.

And sometimes, that's exactly what makes a holiday enjoyable.

I think it's easy to get caught up in the idea that every holiday needs to be memorable, exciting, or filled with activities.

But some of the best holidays are the quiet ones.

The ones where you don't have a long list of things to do.

The ones where you can enjoy a slow morning, cook a favorite meal, or simply spend time together.

I've learned that being home doesn't mean we're missing out on an adventure.

Sometimes, being home is the break we need.

We used to do an annual camping trip at Easter, but this one has been replaced with longer and different trips.

Protecting Our Family Time During the Holidays

One thing I've become more intentional about is protecting our family's time together.

The holidays can be wonderful, but they can also drain the life out of you if you aren't careful.

There are so many expectations, commitments, and opportunities to fill every available moment.

And while spending time with extended family and friends is important, I also believe we need to make room for our own family to rest and reconnect.

Camping has always helped us do that.

When we're at the campground, it often feels like our time is a little more protected.

We're away from the normal distractions of home, and it's easier to focus on the people and experiences right in front of us.

But I've also learned that we can create that same feeling at home by being more intentional with our schedules.

We don't have to say yes to everything.

We don't have to travel for every holiday.

And we don't have to fill every day with activities.

We spend time with family and friends throughout the year, including many of our camping adventures together. Those shared experiences give us something to look forward to long after a holiday has passed.

For us, the goal isn't to squeeze everything into a few special dates on the calendar.

It's to enjoy our time together all year long.

This past Easter was a banner year for us, and we love spending this holiday at home.

Thinking About Camping for a Holiday? Give It a Try!

If you've never spent a holiday at the campground, I would encourage you to give it a try.

You might discover a new family tradition that you absolutely love.

And it doesn't have to be complicated.

Choose a beautiful state park with scenic views, hiking trails, and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Plan a few favorite meals, bring along some games, and leave room in your schedule for doing absolutely nothing.

Maybe you want to cook a traditional holiday dinner in your camper. Or perhaps you'd rather simplify things with an easy meal and spend the afternoon exploring.

Both are wonderful options.

If you're looking for ideas, I've shared some of our experiences and tips for celebrating Halloween and Thanksgiving on the road. From decorating your campsite to planning holiday meals and activities, there are lots of ways to make a campground celebration feel special.

And if you're camping with children or gathering with friends and family, having a few activities planned can add to the fun.

I even created a Thanksgiving Activity Pack with holiday-themed activities that can be enjoyed at home or at the campground. It's a simple way to bring a little extra fun to your Thanksgiving celebration without having to plan everything from scratch.

And if your usual holiday routine has started feeling a little stale, changing the scenery might be just what your family needs.

Sometimes, a weekend in the woods can provide the kind of reset that money simply can't buy.

You don't need an expensive vacation or a packed itinerary to make meaningful memories.

You just need time together.

Finding the Holiday Balance That Works for Your Family

After years of camping through holidays, long weekends, and different seasons of life, I think we've finally found a balance that works for our family.

We have our Thanksgiving tradition that we love.

We have our annual after-Christmas trip that helps us reset for the New Year.

And we have holidays like Easter that we're perfectly happy celebrating at home.

Some trips happen during a holiday. Others are sandwiched between celebrations, and sometimes we simply decide to stay home.

And I love that mixture.

I no longer feel like we have to pack up and go somewhere every time we have a few extra days off.

Instead, we're choosing trips and traditions that fit our family, our schedules, and what we want from the experience.

Because at the end of the day, the most important part of any holiday isn't where we celebrate. It's who we celebrate with.

Whether we're gathered around our table at home or sitting around a campfire at the campground, we're together.

And wherever we are, the people who make our house a home are right there with us.

That's what matters most.

We have made it a tradition to do a New Year's hike wherever we are each year. Last year we hiked into Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend.

What Do You Want From Your Holiday Traditions?

As you begin planning the holidays ahead, think about what you really want from the season.

Do you want more adventure? More rest? More time outdoors? Or simply more opportunities to connect with the people you love?

Maybe that means trying Thanksgiving at a campground for the first time.

Maybe it means staying home for a holiday you've always spent traveling.

Or maybe, like us, you'll find that the perfect balance is a little bit of both.

There is no right or wrong way to celebrate.

The best holiday traditions are the ones that bring your family joy, create meaningful memories, and leave you feeling grateful for the time you've shared.

And sometimes, the best tradition of all is giving yourself permission to change things along the way.

I'd love to hear from you! Do you prefer spending the holidays at home or at the campground? Have you created any special holiday camping traditions with your family?

Share your experiences in the comments. You might inspire someone else to start a new tradition of their own!

Happy camping and happy holidays!

Southern Glamper