Any recommendations for a family of 5 at Christmas?

[LynetteScavo]

DH doesn't want to be at home on Christmas day as he wants to avoid his divorced parents turning up at the same time again and causing a scene. Long story.

So where is nice, but not extorsionate ove Christmas?

[Elasticwoman]

why does your family have to be put to enormous expense and inconvenience just because in-laws can't behave? Tell them you've gone to Lapland, but stay home anyway. No, seriously, tell them that due to their appalling behaviour last year they are not welcome to your house at all over the Christmas period.

[LynetteScavo]

We are guttless. They are nutters.

Before we had DC's we did tell them were were going abroad for some sun, but didn't and pretended we changed our minds at the last minute.

We have considered closing the curtains and pretending we're not home.

MIL, adn FIL both think thier behaviour is reasonable, and the other is unreasonable.

We can't go to MIL, as her DH has mental health problems and is scared of having our chilren in his house (yes, really). We don't want to go to FIL, he's always drunk on Christmas day, and is much more reasonable on boxing day with a hang over. We usually arange to go for a meal on boxing day, but this doesn't stop him and his new wife turning up at EXACTLY the same time as MIL and her DH with his mental health problems. This happens every Christmas and most of DC's birhtdays. We think FIL waits around the corner for MIL to arrive - how else could this always happen?
I really don't want another year of MIL sobbing in my kitchen, while FIL is LOUD in the living room, much to the DC's bemusement.
The only thing I can think of doing is not letting FIL in, but how would that look to the DCs? I was brought up to believe you offer hostpitality to all, especially on Christmas day.
FIL is Catholic, and I think he believes in Gods eyes he is still married to MIL, and should see her on Christmas day.

Blimey!

So, anywhere nice you can recommend for Christmas?

[LynetteScavo]

So where is nice, but not extorsionate at Christmas??????

[LynetteScavo]

Obviously such a place does not exist!

[Tommy]

I dunno but when you find it, let me know - it sounds very tempting...

[hf128219]

Do you mean for the day or a few days/week away?

[ForeverOptimistic]

How about booking a lovely cottage up in Scotland and just chilling out?

[LynetteScavo]

We'd want a couple of days either side of Christmas. I don't really mind where it is, but when I start googling it just seems like a mine field of checking all sorts of things.

I was hoping someone could make it easy and jsut say "Go here!"

[Tommy]

where do you live Lynette? Perhaps we could house swap?!

[LynetteScavo]

ROFL at the thought of any one wanting to spend time in our half built nightmare!! Let alone Christmas. You're welcome to come and stay if you don't mind feeding the cats, but I must warn you we have no heating atm.

[hf128219]

Well what floats your boat? Travelling distances? Dogs?

[Tommy]

might pass on that one then thanks - we did a Christmas without heating a couple of years ago...

[LynetteScavo]

No dogs.

We're central so can drive pretty much anywhere, but don't want to spend too long in the car with DC's. I'm not keen on Wales -DH has sugested Durham area or Devon /Cornwall. I quite fancy Yorkshire /Peak Ditrict.

[hf128219]

All nice places. What about the earlier suggestion of Scotland?

[LynetteScavo]

Scotlands a little bit far - I dont' really want the hassle of flying. I can't actually find anything available atm, so will be quite happy to go any where!

[believeintheboogie]

Im going to London for xmas for four days, Im quiet looking forward to walking round London on the only day the streets will be empty and dd is sooo excited.

[EachPeachPearMum]

What about a house swap? There must be other mners in similar position!

[Ready4anotherCoffee]

not in your position, but have you looked at youth hostels?

[hf128219]

Scotland is not far! No further than driving to Cornwall.

[believeintheboogie]

ready do youth hostels take families? Dumb question probably but I didnt know that lol

[Ready4anotherCoffee]

Oh yes we went in June. they have family rooms, and you can access them all day long, as opposed to just during opening hours.

and they take tesco vouchers

we like it, clean, meets basic standards, usually fairly central if that is what you want, although some are only open mar-oct.

they are here

[believeintheboogie]

oooh thanks ready, shall go and have a look!