What shall we do this Christmas?

[Gushpanka]

Since our parents died, Christmas always make us feel a bit miserable. We really really want to get away this year. We have 3 kids from teen down to 4 years old so need to fit all needs. I don't have much leave left (get 25, 26 December and 1 January and can take about 4 days leave on top) and don't want long flight (would rather no flight). Cost not too much of an issue (within reason).

Where would you go? Any interesting suggestions? Looking for inspiration!

Do you want to avoid Christmas or just make it different? Where are you roughly?

I would go skiing, in a heartbeat.

If you're new to it I would go to a cheaper resort (Bulgaria is great for cheap lessons and hotels). Lots of fresh air and mountain views and exercise, then some good food and drinks in the evening.

Finland, skiing and other winter activities sledging, snow shoeing etc - you could do a Santa type trip or not. A lovely log cabin would be magical for everyone

A farmhouse middle of nowhere all decorated up christmassy but plans loads to do in the area so you dont get chance to feel down.

We're not anti-Christmas per se but we don't have a Christmas tradition ourselves (just not part of our culture). So no problem if there is lots of Christmassy stuff going on as we'd enjoy it but we'd still like to be able to do something on X-mas day.
Actually forgot to say, not in UK but in Scandinavia where Xmas is huge and everyone busy with their families so it feels a bit sad for us

We went to New York last xmas - really good fun (although very cold).

Christmas is on a Tuesday this year so by taking the 24th, 27th, 28th and 31st you would have 11days off.

Either skiing, log cabin up north or a luxury city break for me.

DH and I have never skied. Ever. We may have missed the boat (or ski lift) with this one. One of the DC has beforeand isn't keen. One of the DC hasn't but really wants to. And the little one doesn't know :)
I'm not sure I'd want a holiday all about skiing given our lack of experience with it! And is there anywhere in Europe with guaranteed snow at x-mas?

www.ballymascanlon.com/celebratechristmas.html

I've often thought that this looks incredible!

If you are already in Scandinavia then it's not really worth going somewhere else for skiing but will be very dark where you are!
I'd suggest a city break somewhere very cosmopolitan (London, Paris?) where the normal stuff will be open most days. So if you want children's museum/art gallery not Christmas carols you can do that too.

Hire a cottage somewhere and just do something a bit different - go for a walk, watch non Christmas films, eat pizza. It's ok to ignore Xmas.

Interesting suggestions! THanks!!

We've been thinking so far ourselves

*Rome or Athens.
Dh is history buff so he would be in heaven and I think there's enough to do to keep the others happy. But I'm a bit concerned that these are places not set up for bad weather. So if the weather's bad they can be quite miserable.

*Amsterdam and Efteling
We could drive which I'd prefer. But crappy northern Europe weather.

Very sorry about your parents. Can you make new Christmas traditions with your children so you no longer think of it as being a sad time of year ? It seeks a shame you associate Christmas with being miserable - your parent’s parents must have passed away at some point too, did your parents then see Christmas as a miserable time too?

For a getaway this year, can I suggest Budapest- it’s beautiful in the winter and they have a great Christmas market, and I think from memory the flight was less than 3 hours. I hope you have a happy time whatever you decide to do :)

Kintan
Christmas isn't really part of our own culture (although we like the idea). And lviing in a place where Christmas is huge and it's all about extended families kind of makes us feel a bit sad. So we like to get away which suits us just fine!

How about the Canary islands? Lots of scandis go there in winter, you can rent a villa with pool and have a BBQ on Christmas day while everyone plays in the pool.

Ah yes sorry I posted before I’d read your update about Christmas not being a part of your culture! Still recommend Budapest - good place for your history buff husband too :)

I've always wondered what Venice would be like at Christmas...

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I think the kids would LOVE that. They dream of us taking them one day to an all inclusive resort. Not my cup of tea personally but the kids would be in second heaven!

OP - not all inclusive, just a villa with a heated pool and a hot tub. Some villas have pool tables, football tables etc. Car hire is cheap too and the driving is easy with fairly empty roads. Cheapest villas are in Lanzarote. If your kids will play with each other then they can mess around in the pool all day as you and husband read in the sun 😊

I think we might have left Xmas in the Canaries a bit late. I just checked flights and sold out or super expensive. I think you were right that all the Scandis are running away looking for sunshine :)

You could also try Egypt (sharm el sheikh) or Cape Verde for winter sun