A Christmas challenge for you.......re:Christmas abroad

[NorbertDentressangle]

This Christmas we're going to be going abroad with family (family not resident there but travelling there too) which is great but how do we make it seem like Christmas IYSWIM?

We always travel fairly light so have booked minimal luggage for the flight (1 case and 4 x hand luggage for 4 of us) so can't take a case of decorations, collapsible tree, crackers and iced Xmas cake .

DD is a teenager, DS is 10 so they are old enough to appreciate that we can't take lots of presents to open there but I want to do little stockings for them so any ideas for tiny, lightweight stocking fillers appreciated (and any other tips would be great).

Thanks

[curiousgeorgie]

Can you add on an extra case??

[NorbertDentressangle]

I guess we could but at the same time I don't want to lug a load of stuff there needlessly.

I quite fancy the challenge of managing to pack 2 stockings worth of goodies without the DC spotting them in the suitcase!

[Seriouslyffs]

That's very little luggage!
We're away this Chrisymas and I'm already fossicking for flat little things to pack for stockings etc. I'll also take big but flat advent calendars.
Where are you staying? A hotel is likely to be decorated and you could buy decorations once there- they'd make nice souvenirs too.
I'm planning on buying some presents duty free too. They count as part of your allowance and you can order online for collection at the airport.

[Seriouslyffs]

Chrisymas is a typo not a twee coinage.

[NorbertDentressangle]

We only ever travel light but always come home with unworn clothes - however we always stay somewhere with a washing machine so there will no need to take 10 outfits each for the 10 days.

We'll be staying in a s/c apartment in a hotel so can self-cater or use their restaurant. Christmas day we'll be definitely eating in the restaurant!

Duty free is a good idea for FIL's present (malt whiskey)!

[Ragwort]

We often have Christmas abroad and love it, I think the trick is for everyone to understand that it will be different, no need to have exactly the same sort of Christmas you have at home. Our DS is a teenager now so it's probably easier but we just took a few 'smallish' stocking fillers - preferably things like chocolates and small puzzles, cheap stuff that can be played with and left behind - we would tell our DS that his main present would be waiting for him when we got home. Just re-read your thread, as your children are older I am sure it won't be a problem.

Part of the fun is seeing the different Christmas traditions that are abroad and getting involved with things that you might not have at home, different food etc (although don't make the mistake we did one year going out for a meal on Christmas Eve in the States - where it seems to be traditional for everyone to eat at home on Christmas Eve so we couldn't find anywhere nice ).

Don't take crackers in your luggage - huge security risk .

[amyhamster]

I would do Christmas on a different day at home - turkey full trimmings etc and then when away like you say just the stockings

I'd put in a ds game, mini lego torch figure, fav chocolate etc

[NorbertDentressangle]

TBH the Christmas dinner is my least favourite bit of Xmas (I'm veggie and not a fan of roast dinners anyway!!) .

DC have ipods so they download apps (but maybe I could include an itunes voucher in stockings). You mentioning Lego reminded me that I've ordered a couple of nanoblock sets (like mini Lego) as something fun but small.

[Caramelkate]

What about a YouTube video of their presents back home that they can see on Christmas Day? A tour of the wrapped presents could be fun?

[Seriouslyffs]

You could take these!

[DaffodilField]

I would pack a big pack of balloons (can you get christmassy balloons?) and then blow them up Christmas evening when kids gone to bed so they enter the living room area and find lots of balloons to play with. Everyone loves balloons!

Also perhaps a small string of battery operated fairy lights?

Card games?

Can dd have a piece of jewellery as a present - that is small?

Maybe take a book of quizzes with you - that is quite christmassy.

Will there be a dvd player - can you take a couple of christmassy films away with you?

A pair of socks each? christmassy ones? Small presents like light up pens?

[NorbertDentressangle]

Great ideas!

I particularly like the battery operated fairy lights (we have some of those we can take) and the paper chains (as it's a Christmassy activity and a decoration!)