Next Christmas something completely different...

[StrongerThanIThought76]

I'm done with the prep, the hype, the driving (part of family dynamics but breaks the day up), the fall-outs, obligations, having to invite miserable great aunt, being just the 3 of us - single parent, the cold and damp etc etc etc.

Any suggestions of what we can do differently next year? Trips away? Not staying at home the whole period as that would drive us all nuts.

I'm already psyching myself up to tell the rest of the family I'm not hosting miserable relative despite FOG...

Happy New year all

sounds like a plan , having the same thoughts also having gone along with partners wishes for last few years
I have already decided to go away somewhere

I think a lot can be said for keeping it simple

Where shall we go? My teenage kids are mostly self-sufficient so I've spent a lot of time on my own this week, I think that's contributing to the gloom

Can you stretch your budget to going abroad?

We went to Tenerife for Christmas a few years ago (one of the more affordable winter sun destinations) and loved being in the sun by the pool on Christmas day.

There are lots more ways to spend the time when it's warm and sunny rather than grey, cold and wet

I'm switching our main Sun holiday to next Christmas & doing a week in the summer either camping or cheap hostel. My boss goes to the Bahamas every Christmas, she uses what she'd spend on Xmas gifts/food. She books a holiday to a different Caribbean island each year & I think she's got the right idea. Watching this thread for ideas.

What sort of budget? How many and what ages?

If you’re up for cheap and cheerful I would book a caravan on the coast and have loads of brisk walks and board games.

Intermediate I’d go for one of the Spanish Islands.

If you’re actually royally minted my fantasy is an artic circle cruise!

oooh I love the idea of a different Caribbean island every year but sadly our budget only allowed for Tenerife!

It is so much more relaxing being away somewhere where you don't feel that you have to keep up with the usual traditions though. If you're by the pool or on the beach in the sun you don't need or want to cook a huge turkey dinner...you can have a picnic on the beach if that's all you want to do, or barbecue something back at your apartment or eat out somewhere.

There's not that feeling of "oh it's Christmas so me must uphold that tradition of XYZ" and no accompanying guilt

OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny if you combined your Christmas & holiday budgets would you be able to push the boat out a bit? If the average household spends £1k on Christmas including all gifts, food, trips, Panto etc. That would be a healthy holiday deposit.

Planning on going on holiday is the easiest way to break the cycle.
We used to host my DPs and dh GM. My DM can be a bit miserable and ungrateful. The first Christmas after GM passed we said we wanted to celebrate just our family (me, dh and 2dc) we loved it could have the Christmas dinner we wanted and just relax. The next year we went away. My DM tried to invite herself and my DF this year but I stood firm and said no.

Budget could be re-jigged to finance something away from home, don't think I can stretch to abroad. Really fancy Iceland, maybe somewhere snowy but that would be way beyond us.

we did centerparcs this year. would reccomend. plus you`d be securely fenced in away from toxic outsiders so to speak!