Can't face Christmas- desperately need an idea for getting out of UK

[Grobagsforever]

Hi

Background- widowed with 2 DDs, 4 and 8. Find Christmas impossibly sad, all that happy families etc. Can't bear to spend it with extended family as they smoother me. Also generally dislike Christmas, regardless.

Last year I said 'fuck it' and flew to Cape Verde for a week on Boxing Day with a friend in similar circumstances. That was very expensive..

Need inspiration for something cheaper that will knock out a few days of the Christmas period and get us away from the UK Christmas madness.

Idea please oh wise ones??

I'm sorry for the loss of your husband, I understand why Christmas would be a hard time for you. What do the children want to do though? I know you're thinking of escaping but maybe the kids would prefer to be around family that loves and cares for them. I don't mean for that to sound heartless by the way. If they are happy to go abroad then that's great.

Rent an isolated cottage somewhere and do Christmas for just you and the dc?
Take some decorations and the presents and have a fab few relaxing days just doing and eating what you all enjoy.
Or fly somewhere where Xmas isn’t such a big deal. Depends on your budget.

spain , cyprus, malta all reasonably priced with beaches for the kids

Op I assume your dd will be with you?
Have you ever thought of theme park?
Efteling in holland is magical and perfect for your dd ages. Loads of play areas, fires around park, loads of rides suitable for your dds, very cosy accommodation in bosricjk Village. You can fly to Amsterdam and get train, it's hour away (Amsterdam lovely too) or, drive from Dunkirk or from Hook of Holland.

Go to a small mountain resort in the Alps.

I’m similar that I like to get away from it all and find it hard but not for reasons as sad as your own, that must be so tough.

How much money do you want to spend and for how long? The Canaries might be an idea, much cheaper than likes of the Caribbean but will still run into thousands.

I've always dreamed of escaping to Morocco for Christmas.

I just had a quick look and first thing i found was this. Quite like the look of it myself. We went to the Caribbean last year and paid way too much money.

I've booked to go to Rome with my dd ... flights were £11 each, each way. Just booked our hotel after changing my mind twice and finding a cheaper & better one .... I'm not big on Christmas and she loves to travel - will take a few presents in my luggage :-)

Any preference on hot/cold?

Oh wow great ideas so far, just making breakfast then will respond to individual questions! Thanks!

Could you start a tradition of going skiing over Christmas? Make it yere thing. I know its expensive but possibly doable. The dc would have a new hobby/ skill ..lots of fresh air and exercise..and perfect excuse not to be with families.

Skiing at Christmas is fun. Having an activity to distract could be helpful. It isn't cheap. We also go to Mallorca... avoid the resorts because they are fairly closed up for winter, but Palma has loads going on or Soller (or port de ~) if you like hills and walking / cycling.

@MrsST - DDs would probably want a big family Xmas, but not at the expense of my mental health. They will see family over Xmas and get spoiled by grandparents but I'm not doing the sitting around the turkey thing. They know how loved they are and I like to teach them you don't constantly have to fit into society's endless expectations

@Roseandvioletcreams - love that idea, will research it!

Ski-ing is beyond my budget I think. We spent 3500 last year and I want to spend less than 2k this year. Don't need a whole week away, so short hops to Europe are perfect

Disneyland for a few days?

What about a European center parcs - not like the uk ones and have lots to do if the weather isn't great. There's one with a snow dome.

@SentToTheSynByn - not a bad idea! Will investigate

I second the cottage somewhere isolated. Does it have to be outside the UK? You could always rent a cottage up in the Highlands.

If you really don’t want anything to do with happy families or Christmas, I would send your kids to their grandparents and take yourself off to a retreat in India/Thailand.

I second India/ Thailand .
Spent Xmas evening around a campfire on a beach many years ago with some folk I met, listening to guitar music and enjoying food cooked on the fire. Very relaxing and no tinsel to be seen!

I've booked to go to the Caribbean for two weeks in December. Because the flight returns on Xmas Eve (lands 8am on Xmas morning UK time) it is much, much cheaper than normal.

I used to go abroad every Xmas similar reasons to you, tried canaries, mainland Spain, cruise, cottage. Be aware abroad Christmas Day can be hard as you are surrounded by families and it feels like it's magnifying the situation if you're vulnerable. I'm now content at home.

An isolated cottage could work. Or maybe a city trip (could even be inside the UK?)

Or you could start a new Christmas tradition. Like... Going swimming, then the cinema and spending the evening home with board games, hot chocolate etc?