Anyone going away for Christmas?

[lesdeluges]

DP and I are going to be away for Christmas and New Year for the first time ever this year. We are going to friend's place in Estepona, Southern Spain which they have kindly offered to us as it will be empty.

I'm getting the collywobbles a bit though since it's our first time away for Christmas! We are older now, no kids and our siblings and nieces/nephews are all sorted for the Big Day. So off we go. We are having a small get together for our families before we go. A mini "pre" Christmas if you like!

Are any of you travelling abroad for Christmas? If so, do tell me where you are going, and if it's to visit family or just to get away from the frenzy, like we are!

I'm going away... First Christmas since my DM died and I dont want to be at home so having a completely different Xmas abroad, with the hope of completely distracting myself . Its been a hell of a year and we deserve it. Think long haul sunshine and cocktails on a boat going to lots of different places.

I'm both sad and excited and it all feels very surreal... no tree, no christmas food shop, no family arrangements , but I think its the right choice for us.

I actually got the cases out today to start chucking summer things In.

Yes we are going away with our three children for the first time ever to Tenerife on Xmas eve. None believe in Santa now and we have had an absolutely horrific year with illness and death so just want to get away. We are having a fake Xmas with presents and Xmas Dinner on the 23rd. Hope you have a lovely holiday.

Exact same reason for me. Just got to get the funeral out the way then can look forward to it. Sorry for your loss, hope you have a nice time.

Holidaying sounds wonderful, have a brilliant time!! It's something I'd love to try.

We're going to Thailand. It's technically our honeymoon as we got married this year and it was the best way to make it work with annual leave. So excited but also apprehensive. My family are BIG on Christmas and it'll be my first totally different experience. Also straight back and back to work so none of that lovely twixmas time...

I'm aware this is a monumental first world problem though and feel very lucky to be going away

I've been away for Christmas loads before I had my son, most of my family are dead so it was always something to dread rather than look forward to until I sai eff this & took off! I think all of you who are doing it will love it, it is different but that's the point isn't it? I hope you all have a wonderful time

Yes going to America for the first time since covid! My siblings live there and I grew up there. Going with my two kids (18 and 20). So excited!

Good to hear your plans, and sorry to those who have lost loved ones. I am one of them also.

As many have said, Christmas will be different this year for me, but that's the whole point isn't it? If we don't try it we won't know if we like it or not, so if it turns out great we can go again, maybe elsewhere, and if we are homesick or whatever we can stay home.

Hope you all have a lovely time away from the madness, although I know many love that aspect of Christmas also.

Why are people addicted to the madness? You can say no.you cam give your kids one day and simple presents.you don't have to see horrible relatives.you can say no to female self sacrifice and being a super efficient mum and just do what you can.You can liberate yourself

An update if anyone is interested!

Well, we had a fantastic time. The weather was amazing so able to be out and about every day. Christmas was very low key in Estepona and I'm not bothered with New Year - it is not my thing. Christmas Day was lovely, the supermarket, the local bar/cafe (well three of them) were open and doing good business. The buses were running on a weekend schedule, all just kind of "normal". Not much in the way of hype and decorations/trees etc.

Anywhere that was decorated and all bright and breezy were the pubs and restaurants mainly catering to visitors from Ireland and UK. We did go to one over the holiday, but not my scene really although everyone was very friendly (and slightly sozzled lol).

So all in all it was the right decision, and we will be doing it again this year, all going well.

@lesdeluges I'm so happy you had a great time, it sounds like a lovely, low key place (my ideal) & even better that you've decided to do it all again this year!

My update is that you've inspired me by your first post & reminded me why I love going away at this time of year so to that end we're booking Cape Verde for this Christmas, not actual Christmas Day/Stephens Day but 27Dec - 7th Jan & I'm really looking forward to it!!

Thanks @Scorchio84 I hope we can both get away in 2024 for that time of year, and maybe one of us will open another post about the Great Escape!

The best thing was that I wasn't bawling my eyes out on Christmas Day for all those that I loved dearly who are now gone. I think at home at the family gathering on Christmas Day there were too many "empty chairs". So even though we remembered them while away, it wasn't so heartbreaking. I can't explain it any better than that!

I know from your posts that you are in a similar position regarding the loss of loved ones. I also notice you used "St. Stephens Day", you must be Irish like me so!

Thanks for taking the time to post.

@lesdeluges isn't it funny how our phrases "out" us 😆I am Irish (with a mongrel pedigree)

I'm so glad & I completely understand what you're saying, being at home during Christmas is quite intense & there's always so many reminders (empty chairs) & yet when away you can be at a remove almost & not want to crawl under the blankets while still remebering "same same but different" as they say in Thailand.

So thank you for reminding me of the joy of going away at that time of year & also for letting me know about "The Great Escape" another one to add to my list

We have re-booked a luxury apartment that we had last Christmas on the Essex Coast. We used to go away every year before Covid and then we worried about leaving my mother but she died last year and we feel the need to be away and do something different. Nothing beats a walk on the beach on Xmas morning.

I swear @Rocknrollstar if you can get away after a bereavment it makes a massive difference, just a break from the norm, like a recallibration

A walk on the beach, wherever it is, is one of life's simplest pleasures x