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 don't think Pottering was judging, just offering the idea that the children may want a bit of a Christmas. If they go to school they will be aware of the way many people celebrate. It doesn't mean you have to do the same but they may struggle to understand why they aren't having Christmas.
But of course your MH is key, so you can continue being their loving (& coping) mum.

Grobagsforever If ever Mumsnet needed a 'like' button it is for your last post!
You are absolutely smashing being a mum, go ahead and have the day you want and well done for putting yourself first for 1 day a year

Definitely. Doing a great job.

It is one of those things, isn't it, where people think their idea of Christmas (like weddings) is the only way. People just don't think...

Are you sporty? What about somewhere like La Manga where there's loads of facilities? I think there's supposed to be a good resort on St. Lucia too? I'd go somewhere with hot springs as that's what I like!

For completly different reasons, we ended up at theme park on Xmas day a few years ago (Saudi - absolutly no Christmas, but not a recommendation!), and the kids lived it.
So, if you can go somewhere that might all be open on the 26th, and fly on the 25 sort if dates, I'd do that.

How big is Christmas in Greece or Italy? Ive got half an idea that 12th night is bigger for them?
Turkey is another place that may do low key Christmas? Id look into how Christmassy those places would be.

Leave the poor woman alone.
Op efteling is magical. There is little swimming pool there too on site which is charming it's really special. Your dc will be blown away and most adults are too.
Disney of course is also tremendous fun but it's busier, more expensive, food etc isn't as nice it's more fun gaudy circus.

Efteling is cheaper more gentle, far more space and places to play, huge square filled with loads of hobby house carousels.. It's safe, more magical and has amazing atmosphere.
There is a fairy tale wood which you could spend hour or all day meandering along.. Coming across tableux from each fairy tale and they are all different.

Some don't move, some do, some are holograms. Each one unique and enchanting. At the heart is a fairy tale aware. The detail is amazing, nothing is ugly, the lamps, even the bins.
It would be an incredible holiday for your reasons and for this time of year.

I would go for four nights.

Another vote for Efteling. It's a charming place.

We have a Christmas tradition of going to non-Christian countries - it's brilliant, everything's open, you can't go nuts with presents, no pressure in the lead-up to produce some sort of Norman Rockwell magical experience. Obv your budget will determine how far you'll be able to go but Morocco could be ideal...and blue skies!

1056 euros, four nights (5 days in park) including tickets staying at centrally located bosricjk apartment. Also Inc breakfast I think. Cute restaurant directly below yiu, also next to pool, your also by the lake and small shop. It's 5 10 min walk to theme park gates. They have little trollies to hire to pull dc along (4 year old).. Red and very cute.

Small set of dc steps in reception so they can access the sweet bowl.

oh yes, yes , yes to Eftelling. I took dc 3 years ago and we LOVED it. DC said they liked it better than Disney Land Paris!!We went in summer, but I think the winter Efteling also looks amazing. There will be Christmassy bits, dec, trees etc, but you could also ignore all that if you wanted too. We took the ferry to Hook of Holland and drove. We hired a house/loge in the woodland area which was amazing. Overall it worked out really good value and cost us very little more, if any more, than a UK holiday. They do Fri-Monday or Monday - Friday breaks, may be different over Christmas though.
Also, depending on you budget there is a hotel also on site and they do ordinary family rooms and also some absolutely amazing themed suites/rooms.
I think your dd are exactly the right ages for Efteling as well.
I LOVE Efteling - can you tell!

oh yes, and the pool is lovely. Very simple but lovely. And the restaurants are actually not bad value either. There's a lovely themed restaurant in the theme park where you can eat and watch a show at the same time. The theme changes but it was Pinocchio when we were there.
I would LOVE to go to Efteling for Christmas!!

marvelous I'm glad another efteling fan thinks it's a good idea. I too think her dc ages are just perfect.

I have not been at Christmas, winter but definitely want too. We did Disney this year and whilst we do like it, all agree it lacks so much compared to efteling.

I'm going to Turkey - no Christmas celebrations there as it's a normal working day so everything open. They celebrate New Year and have trees etc then. I love it.

One more thing thought.

I also think marrakech city would be beautiful place for spend Xmas.. In beautiful riad, there are lots on the the I love marrakech website. Very exotic different beautiful. Roads in medina are tricky at first, scooters peoples donkeys all using them however they adore dc there and will make huge fuss over them and some really swanky places to spend actual Xmas day..

That post was AMAZING. I was reading through and couldn't believe some of the disrespectful crap people were spouting over and over again. GOOD ON YOU OP!!!

Wow loving all the votes of Efteling!!

I have several friends in the Netherlands, they could drop in for day maybe.

Ha thank you @NameChangedNow

yes, also meant say your dc are lucky to have such a sensible caring mum who knows how to prioritise her own mental health, whilst giving her dc amazing experiences and not being weighed down by society's expectations.

I don't think Pottering was judging, just offering the idea that the children may want a bit of a Christmas. If they go to school they will be aware of the way many people celebrate. It doesn't mean you have to do the same but they may struggle to understand why they aren't having Christmas.

Thank you. That’s exactly what I meant.

New England at Christmas is magical.

Oh sorry. I didn't read your post properly. New England is still usually lovely and snowy and you can ski.

@Grobagsforever I too lost my partner and bring up children alone with no family support ..why not take yourself away for a week before Christmas? and then let your family enjoy their family over Christmas . Wales is nice .. and cheap too .x

I think the op feels it's not a holiday she needs just an escape from a difficult day for some. That's ok! I have done this numerous times and my son couldn't care less, he still gets presents but in the sun with entertainment put on or if OP decides to go somewhere like a cottage and have a nice meal or takeaway while playing board games so what! You know in the 1950 in Scotland it wasn't even a bank holiday.

Another vote for Efterling, I went about 40 years ago it was great then, so it must be better now. I was early teens and there was no pool then.

As I said, 1 day 40 yeas ago and I still remember it.