While some of us are snuggled warmly in bed early on December 25, scores of expatriates journey to Elbow Beach to celebrate a different kind of Christmas.Residents like Jesse Haldeman, originally from upstate New York, are up at 6.30am to watch the sunrise. Breakfast and a glass of champagne usually follow and “depending on how you feel, you would go swimming at some point,” Mr Haldeman said.Though many Bermudians would shudder at the thought of taking a dip in the chilly waters in the winter, Mr Haldeman said the temperature is all relative “but the champagne helps”.He’s been going to Elbow Beach on December 25 with friends since immigrating to the Island in 2003.“I thought it was a novel way to spend Christmas and being from the East [of the US] and living in Bermuda it’s a way to celebrate Christmas different than you would anywhere else. And the pictures look good to show to friends and family.”There are typically two waves of people at the popular South Shore beach on Christmas Day. In the first group, about two dozen leave by 11am; the second come at 11am and stay until around 2pm.At its peak it’s estimated approximately 400 people many of whom are wearing their Santa hats line the Paget beach.Scott Neil, a sub-editor at The Royal Gazette, said he’s been going for the past six years, with the sun out each year to greet him.“The first time I went was a few months after arriving on the Island. A group of work colleagues arranged to meet up. Most of us were fairly new to Bermuda with no family here to share the day.“It was a great way to feel part of an extended family of friends, and to mingle with a big crowd of others in a similar situation all sharing the fun of being on the beach, in the sunshine, on Christmas Day.”Mr Neil, who is Scottish, said he braved the waters for a swim for the first two years.Beach-goers may find the ocean safer than the actual shore line, which is privy to the host of champagne corks that fly through the air.Mr Neil said on one occasion he had to make a one-handed catch of a flying champagne cork before it hit an unsuspecting stranger. After that he said: “I was quizzed on whether or not I was part of a cricket team.”He’s never eaten a large holiday meal on the beach, but feasts on snacks like mince pies or potato chips.“Although it does not feel the same as spending Christmas with family, the companionship of being with a large group of happy people, sprinkled with unexpected chance meetings with friends and acquaintances you’ve not seen for a while, makes visiting the beach on Christmas special,” he said.He always phones his family first thing in the morning and spends an hour or two at the beach. Some years he follows this with Christmas lunch with friends at a restaurant or has been invited to share a holiday meal with his kind neighbours, the Burgess family.“I would encourage others to experience Elbow Beach at Christmas. Simply seeing so many people from different walks of life all together, at peace, enjoying the moment and sharing smiles and laughter is uplifting. And no one is treated as a stranger on Elbow Beach on Christmas Day.”Another person who frequents Elbow Beach during the holiday is Leona Lik. For the past nine years she’s been going to the beach.“I love the unique Island tradition, not only because it’s a great way to mingle with friends and acquaintances on the holiday, but because it is a unique experience to island life.“I love sending pictures back to my family and friends in New Jersey or New York of all of us in our bathing suits and Santa hats drinking champagne on what always ends up looking like a warm sunny day in December! Though sometimes we have had to fake looking warm in the pictures!”The first year Ms Lik attended she was unable to take a break free from work long enough to travel to the US for the holiday. She decided to go along with a group of expats to “check out what sounded like a fun way to spend a morning”.“I’m also of the belief that you have to try everything once and I wanted to experience all the unique holidays and traditions Bermuda had to offer. I didn’t know how long I would be in Bermuda so I didn’t want to miss the chance to experience Christmas on the beach.”She said the event has a great ‘open house’ feel and everyone takes responsibility for the preparations of the day.“I always recommend the experience to all new folks to the Island. I tell them to bring their bathing suits and they don’t believe me, but in the end, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t enjoyed the experience.“To step back and look at the abundance of people mingling on the beach, sharing champagne, snacks and stories feels like a great way to celebrate the holidays and I’m actually Jewish.”Mr Haldeman said he would be introducing his relatives who are visiting the Island for the holidays to the early morning tradition.“You get a chance to see something you wouldn’t ordinarily see at other places. It’s a Bermuda Christmas,” he said.