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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want DS to wake up in a hotel room on Christmas morning?

116 replies

witherhills · 15/11/2011 14:47

We go to my parents-250miles away
DS is 4
My DH finds Xmas a bit too much, so doesn't want to actually stay with my parents, and not much room anyway.
We have just been let down with serviced apts we usually use.
Alternative is a hotel in city centre.

Am I being precious? or shall we just get up and say Father Christmas came to hotel for you?

I love going to my parents, but I really would like Ds to wake up in his own bed.

OP posts:
tooearlymustdache · 15/11/2011 14:48

can your parents not come to you?

CogitoErgoSometimes · 15/11/2011 14:48

I would think, if you're 4, that the idea that Santa can find you even when you're in a hotel room miles from home would be unbelievably cool.

gordyslovesheep · 15/11/2011 14:49

a bit - can you not drive up and then stay Christmas Night?

DressDownFriday · 15/11/2011 14:51

YANBU

I think it would be pretty miserable for him - especially as he's only 4 and probably into the whole 'magical' christmas thing. Imagine him getting up in a room with no decorations/tree.

Pootles2010 · 15/11/2011 14:51

You're being daft. In the nicest way possible Grin. You need to focus on the positives - it'll be so lovely and calm. No housework. Mess is not your problem. It'll be such a relief at the end of a noisy chaotic Christmas day to go back to your lovely hotel room!

ditzymitzy2 · 15/11/2011 14:52

the kid wont give a monkeys as long as he has his pressies to open

NoobyNoob · 15/11/2011 14:53

I don't think YABU at all.

Original poster
witherhills · 15/11/2011 14:53

I actually hadn't thought of that Gordy. It's 4 hours though, seems a bit of a waste of champagne drinking time!
My brother and sister still live in same place as parents, so family Christmas is there.
Not enough space at my house for everyone, and DH would have a coronary at the amount of mayhem that would be

We did just see Arthur Christmas, so he knows how hard Santa will look for you

the other thing about city centre hotel, Christmas Eve in Liverpool City Centre, is going to be a bit wild!

OP posts:
Ragwort · 15/11/2011 14:54

It will be really exciting, hang his stocking up before he goes to sleep ......... he wakes up and it will be full of presents - sounds fab. We have often had Christmases away from home, my DS thinks its really exciting. Smile.

CMOTdibbler · 15/11/2011 14:55

Don't go to your parents then - tell them you'll see them Boxing day. Have a lovely day just the three of you with no stress.

Bujt your ds won't care where he gets his presents

Original poster
witherhills · 15/11/2011 14:56

See, dressdown, when I think like that I want to cry, but then I think yes ditzymitzy, he won't really care as long as Santa has left presents

But then he will be going to Grandma's where Christmas is pretty special.

OP posts:
minouminou · 15/11/2011 14:56

My four-year-old self would be beside itself with excitement at waking up in a hotel with presents.

TroublesomeEx · 15/11/2011 14:56

My DCs would have been bothered. I don't know where all these 4 year olds are who are completely unaware of their surroundings and have no cultural expectations!

YANBU.

shoobydoowop · 15/11/2011 14:58

havent you seen Home Alone?

Original poster
witherhills · 15/11/2011 14:59

Nah, I can't think of anything more depressing than me, DH and DS at home alone.

I think if it's a toss up between DS opening his presents in a strange room or not having a ball on Christmas day, I know what I have to choose.

There is no perfect solution

OP posts:
mumblechum1 · 15/11/2011 15:02

We used to often hire cottages in Scotland for Xmas with a nominal tree in the living room if we were lucky, and the kids never noticed, they were far too hyper about their presents.

mistlethrush · 15/11/2011 15:02

Ds (6.5) still talks about the one night we have spent in an hotel room (over 3 years ago) very happily. He thought it was wonderful!

gordyslovesheep · 15/11/2011 15:04

Ohhhh we are going up to Liverpool Boxing Day to see my Mum and step dad!

I would say, nice hotel in the centre you should be well cushioned from the noise - it will be a lovely adventure for him - aged 4 he will find it fun x

seeker · 15/11/2011 15:04

Mine would have thought it was beyond cool to go to sleep in a hotel room on Christmas Eve and wake up to discover a pile of presents, and some magically appeared decorations and a special letter from Father Christmas about how he had tracked him down. Particularly if, for example, ds had left a magic lantern in the window.......

But how come your dh gets to say that you can't stay with your parents?

OrmIrian · 15/11/2011 15:05

When I was little we used to go skiing at christmas time in Austria - for 4 years in a row. It was wonderful! And I am sure the hotel will have a tree and decorations. You can take his christmas stocking with you.

And there will be all the normal things in your parents house.

lesley33 · 15/11/2011 15:08

I think you need to think about what you and your DH want. But I really don't think it will be an issue for your DS. The hotel will be decorated and he will have his presents. He will only be disappointed if you and your DH seem disappointed or apologetic.

My DCs thought staying in even a cheap bland hotel unbelievably exciting at this age.

Demonata · 15/11/2011 15:09

Mine would find it unbelievably cool to stay at a hotel never mind Christmas on top. Take a mini Christmas Tree with you and stick Santa's present under than once he goes to sleep after midnight.

Also I'm sure he'll get a big fuss made of him by staff.

Turn this into a postive experience and enjoy the adventure (and no washing up!).

LydiaWickham · 15/11/2011 15:09

Why can't your DH just suck up being at your parents for Christmas day? If there is space for you, why can't you stay there or does he really hate your family? He finds Christmas a bit much??? He's a dad now, his family should come first, why are you pandering to it? You are going to your parents, staying there so DS can wake up to gifts under the tree, your DH can stay in a hotel on his own if he wants...

StellaAndFries · 15/11/2011 15:10

Father Christmas found us in Spain one year which dd1 and dd2 were amazed about! They didn't are one jot about the lack of Christmas tree or decorations.

Original poster
witherhills · 15/11/2011 15:10

good ideas seeker
seeker- Christmas is really full on in my parents, DH finds it overwhelming and needs to escape. He also can't sleep in the bed there, and there really aren't enough beds anyway, others would have to sleep on couch.
And also I do just want it to be me DH and DS to open his presents on Christmas morning, otherwise it's just chaos.

OP posts: