The Place: Turks + Caicos

The Crowd: A mix of couples, families, and celebs…Usher and his wife, Eva Longoria and Tony Parker, Ben and Jen (the Jen he married), Barbra Streisand, and Donna Karan. It's close to New York—a mere three hours away. Think of it as St. Barths 2.0.

Celebrate Christmas: Sounds a little dippy, but the annual December 24 tree ornament competition on Salt Cay Island is actually fun. Prizes are even given for the best handmade ornament in each category. On Christmas Day, dine at Silver Palm restaurant on North Caicos: The menu includes traditional island (well, maybe Nantucket Island) fare like roast turkey with herb dressing and gravy, scalloped potatoes, and cranberry sauce.

Celebrate New Year's Eve: The Junkanoo parade, a street fest and masquerade ball with bangin' goatskin drums, jangling cowbells, shak-shaks, and other rhythm instruments. (Think Mardi Gras without the boobs.) If luxe decadence is more your thing, Parrot Cay is the place. The resort hosts a giant affair at Lotus, the poolside restaurant, with rocking music and a 20-minute-long fireworks display. A ten-night minimum stay is required starting December 21. Rates for the entire period begin at $12,672, but the New Year's party is free! (For, um, guests.)

Stay in style: The Regent Palms. Situated on 12 acres of primo beachfront property, the luxury 164-room hotel is quickly becoming the in place. The gorgeous new spa offers treatments that will detoxify you faster than you can say "I partied like it was 1999!"

Silver Palm
Tel: 649 946 7113

Parrot Cay
Tel: 877 754 0726

The Regent Palms
Tel: 866 877 7256
Doubles from $950, with a 7-night minimum