Travelling alone has surged in popularity over the years. Be it a mini break or a long-haul holiday, Brits are getting joy from seeking out the comfort and solitude of their own company whilst away, and new research by HomeExchange* shows this doesn’t stop just because it’s Christmas… In fact, quite the opposite! As the prospect of family members from near and far descending upon us gets ever closer, we can reveal that 30% of Brits say they would love to go on a solo holiday over the festive season, whilst almost one in 10 (9%) admit they have previously relished embarking on a Christmas trip by themselves…

To celebrate and champion solo holidaying over the festive season, HomeExchange has teamed up with brand ambassador and TikTok star Miffy Englefield, who played Jude Law’s daughter Sophie in the film The Holiday, to take inspiration from THAT classic ‘Party for One’ scene from the festive favourite flick – launching the Cameron Diaz-inspired Solo Holiday Party Pack for One, which will be provided for free for up to 20 solo-holiday goers embarking on trips this Christmas.

The Solo Holiday Party Packs draw inspiration from the popular ‘Party for One’ shopping spree scene from The Holiday** where film character Amanda, (played by Cameron Diaz), shaken from her drive down a country road in an unfamiliar country, heads to the nearest village shop, wine bottle in one hand, shopping trolley in the other, to buy everything in sight before heading back to her cosy HomeExchange cottage to celebrate Christmas Day alone in bed.

Fast forward 17 years, and now its former child star and The Holiday co-star Miffy Englefield who has been pictured sitting in virtually the same bed, sporting that classic chic knitwear, scarf, and hat, with gourmet groceries spread before her, reminiscent of Cameron Diaz’s festive scene from the movie, to launch the Solo Holiday Party Pack competition, which is open to all solo travellers planning a trip by themselves this Christmas: https://www.homeexchange.com/p/holiday_for_one

The Party for One packs include all 24 grocery items shown in the film, including red wine, fine cheeses, pasta sauce, snowmen cookies, nuts, olives, mince pies, bread, chocolates and Christmas cake, not forgetting a bottle opener and (of course) a copy of The Holiday on DVD to watch whilst consuming this feast for one. In bed. Wearing your very best knitwear.

Miffy Englefield says, “17 years on since the movie’s premiere I am thrilled to be working with HomeExchange and recreating my co-star’s Party for One scene to launch the Solo Holiday Party Packs. I was only six when we filmed The Holiday and it feels very full circle to revisit this film that has played such a big role in my life by working with the company that made it all happen for Iris and Amanda.

“I also recently embarked on a home exchange of my own with my family, so where I was once the young child around adults experiencing a fictional home swap, I had the opportunity to bring my daughter along for the journey and it was magical!”

These unique packs have been launched off the back of new research that shows 39% of Brits have chosen to spend Christmas Day by themselves with a further 30% saying they would consider being alone over Christmas. Shockingly, 42% have also fantasised about spending Christmas on holiday, admitting that it sounds FAR more appealing than having to spend it with their extended family.

HomeExchange data*** also shows a global increase of 119% for solo holiday exchange requests compared to last year, and in London alone, requests for spending the Christmas holidays flying solo are up a staggering 253% annually. Finalised and booked solo Christmas exchanges have also increased by 72% globally and 133% for members based in London.

Jessica Poillucci, PR Manager for Home Exchange said: “HomeExchange is well known for being the platform where it all started for Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) and the reason for their life-changing home swaps, so we wanted to take our connection to the movie one step further, by launching the Party for One inspired packs for those solo Christmas celebrators embarking on trips by themselves this festive period.

“We’re finding that more and more HomeExchange members are seeking solo trips away this Christmas and by launching the Solo Holiday Party Packs we aim to normalise going away alone, not just at Christmas, but any time of the year.”

Created in time for Christmas, the Solo Holiday Party Packs have been launched for travellers who are embracing going away by themselves this holiday season****. To have the chance to win one and to view the full list of prize items included please visit https://www.homeexchange.com/p/holiday_for_one