Hi Lisa - Aslemma is away at the moment, but I'll ask her to send you some info on her return. She was certainly not very impressed with El Hana on her last visit and said that she wouldn't use the hotel again in a hurry.
We live in Tunisia during the winter months and stay in Mahdia, so I can only speak for the hotels there. The hotels decorate the foyers etc, with festive trimmings. so the atmosphere is there. Normally, the festive gala meals are geared up to the continental guests, so the Christmas meal is on Christmas Eve and there is normally a cabaret etc as well - same on New Year's Eve. Christmas day, there is usually a visit from Santa (I always go to see if he has remembered me! :oops:) and the entertainment staff make a lot of effort to entertain the children. All the shops etc are open as usual on Christmas day - many shop keepers making some attempt to decorate their shops with a few trimmings and a little tree. I always say thanks to those who do. Most shops are closed on January the 1st and will most certainly be this year as it should be the date of the second Eid - the festival of sacrifice.
We are retired so don't miss the festive season as such, and in fact, don't even go to the festive meals - but we do go out on Christmas morning and distribute 30 or so wrapped boxes of chocolates to our friends children in the surounding area to experience Christmas in our way. (Packing suitcases and the weight is a nightmare for us, although the Cadburys Snaps we chose this year haven't been too bad weight wise ) Hopefully someone will be able to add to this info with views on hotels in Sousse at Christmas time. Enjoy your visit. Jenny

Hi Lisa, I'm back now and have tried to respond twice so far - first time it shut down before I'd finished typing and next time it said it had gone through but apparently just disappeared into the ether

Anyway - third time lucky. I can't give you any specific advice about Christmas celebrations as I've not stayed at that time of year but, as Jenny says, most hotels do put on a bit of a do for us. Her first-hand description of the hotel in Mahdia sounds wonderful, but I think you may find the area a bit quiet at that time of the year, especially for the boys, and would probably be better in Sousse. It is certainly more central and easier to get around if you want to do a bit of exploring. I would recommend you avoid Skanes as there is nothing there except hotels and many people I met this year in Sousse were regretting staying in Skanes for this reason, though I believe some of the 'all inclusive' hotels are very popular. Actually I think the El Hana Beach may be quite a good choice. I was in there last week and didn't hear any complaints. My previous report was on the El Hana Residence next door which, although 4*, has very little going for it at present.

If you are booking flights and hotel separately it may be best to sort out the flight first as that could be the most difficult. Perhaps others on here who have actually spent Christmas in Tunisia will be able to give you more advice.