Forget the cinema screen – one British couple turned a beloved Christmas film fantasy into their own festive reality. Inspired by the plot of the hit movie The Holiday, Matt Bailey and his wife Sophie Addyman, both 47, embarked on a series of unforgettable Christmas getaways through house swapping, creating memories they say surpassed the Hollywood version.
From London Flat to a German Fairytale
After watching Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet swap homes in the festive classic, Matt and Sophie, then living in a flat in Earlsfield, southwest London, decided to seek their own adventure. "We were in a flat in London, and it was primarily because we wanted to get away for Christmas," Matt explained. "We didn't want to pay extortionate accommodation fees."
Using the platform Love Home Swap, now known as Home Exchange, they found a perfect match in 2012. They swapped their London home for a cosy flat built into the ancient walls of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a medieval town in Germany Matt describes as "one of the most Christmassy towns in the world."
Flying out on December 21 and staying until the 31st, they immersed themselves in a picture-perfect festive scene. "It was absolutely magical," Matt recalled. "It was like a little chocolate box town." Their days were spent wandering the festive market, visiting the year-round Christmas museum, and enjoying a traditional German celebration on Christmas Eve. By Christmas Day, they had the tourist-heavy town almost to themselves.
A Tropical Christmas Celebration in Thailand
Emboldened by their success, the couple aimed for a completely different experience the following year. In 2013, they arranged a swap with a couple from Bangkok whose grown-up children were in London.
They exchanged their London flat for a well-located apartment in a Bangkok tower block with a shared pool. Christmas Day was a normal working day in Thailand, so the couple crafted their own unique celebration. "We rang home and everyone was there, sitting around having Christmas dinner, whereas we went to a rooftop bar, had a couple of glasses of champagne," said Matt.
After a food walking tour, their evening transformed into an unexpected street party. "Six or seven like VW camper vans pulled up, opened the doors and bang, it's a cocktail bar on the street," he described. The spontaneous event, complete with street food trucks, provided a vibrant and memorable alternative to a traditional UK Christmas. They later flew to a Thai island on Boxing Day before returning to Bangkok for a "absolutely mental" New Year's celebration.
A Lasting Tradition for a Growing Family
Now living in Lincolnshire with their two sons, William, 10, and Jack, six, the family continues to use Home Exchange for festive and half-term trips. They have enjoyed New Year in Bruges, Belgium, and have plans for Bonn, Germany. In total, they estimate using the service for around 12 trips, including holidays to Portugal, France, Spain, Denmark, Iceland, and Wales, paying only for transport and food.
Their story proves that the spirit of The Holiday can extend far beyond the screen, offering a sustainable and affordable way to experience the world, creating unique family traditions and festive memories that last a lifetime.
