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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:
Original poster
witherhills · 15/11/2011 16:14

jesus changey, listen to yourself!!

OP posts:
Blatherskite · 15/11/2011 16:14

Oops, I missed your last posts.

I'm sure whatever you do Christmas will be magical for your DS. Being with family is what makes it special not where you wake up. It's not the bed he'll remember, it's the day at Grandma's.

mummytime · 15/11/2011 16:16

Wither don't let people like Changey get to you. One doesn't have to be broke to be on Mums net. We haven't all taken a vow of poverty.
Staying in a hotel is not the height of luxury or a sign of aristocracy. Christmas can be quite cheap, as they struggle to fill the rooms and may have less services.

BTW if you are broke I did get a tiny (tacky) Christmas tree from poundland last year for one of my DC. Also try to make sure presents are useful, my youngest even requested the obligatory PJs this year (great for padding a stocking). MN is actually very good at coming up with thrifty present ideas.

Original poster
witherhills · 15/11/2011 16:19

changey, you made a direct comment about my finances, so I was responding

Thanks for your input everyone, but I'm not quite in the mood for this now

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 15/11/2011 16:21

Not sure if it has already been said, as I had to speed read, but how about taking a stocking of small gifts to leave on the end of his bed at the hotel, and drop the rest of the presents at the grandparents, so he can open them when he gets there. Father Christmas will have special hotel elves you see! Wink

ChangeyMcChangeaLot · 15/11/2011 16:23

you listen to yourself.

I did not make a comment on your finances, other to tell you that you have plenty to be thankful for. Which you do. If you'd prefer to whine about people being mean and how awful it is to stay in a hotel, carry on, but you're not going to get much sympathy from most people.

Original poster
witherhills · 15/11/2011 16:25

as well as enough money to stay in hotels as well as buy presents
I think that is a comment on my finances

OP posts:
Maryz · 15/11/2011 16:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChippingInNeedsSleep · 15/11/2011 16:28

witherhills :( Don't let one ignorant poster get to you.

Frankly, if it may be the last Christmas you spend together as a family I'd make it as special for DS as possible, irrespective of what either of you adults would prefer. Do what would make DS the happiest.

Sorry to hear things are generally so crap :(

Maryz · 15/11/2011 16:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MumblingAndBloodyRagDoll · 15/11/2011 16:29

Gosh mine would LOVE to stay in a hotel at Christmas! Ge one of those "Santa please stop here" signs and pop it in the window...take a small fake or real tree and a few decorations for it...have hot choc in your room and then stocking up and bed...will be memorable for him I am sure!

ChangeyMcChangeaLot · 15/11/2011 16:30

IT WAS A POSITIVE COMMENT. Which you prefer to whine about. Knock yourself out then.

God, your glass isn't just half empty, its chipped and covered in botulism.

ChippingInNeedsSleep · 15/11/2011 16:30

ChangeyMcChangeaLot - do fuck off and stop speaking for anyone else. You are the only one who has felt the need to be nasty. Please don't name change, I like to keep track of the twats.

BeerTricksPotter · 15/11/2011 16:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bridgeandbow · 15/11/2011 16:32

My kids have never had a Christmas at home - always at their grandparents house which is 3 hours away so we stay a few days. They don't have a single fireplace so that always take a bit of explaining - magic and doors basically. We leave out whisky, carrot and mince pie "Santa" leaves a lovely note and all it fine..

It will be exciting - kids always love hotels esp the breakfasts!!

cjbartlett · 15/11/2011 16:35

Aw op I know how you feel
It's a shame you dont think it would be nice to stay at home for Xmas
Do you see your inlaws at Xmas? Couldn't you stay home and invite them round for the day?

Blatherskite · 15/11/2011 16:37

I'm sure we can find some books/films between us that are all about Santa finding you when you're away from home.

I have a feeling I'm selling this more to myself (and gordy :) ) than anyone else - I actually quite fancy staying in a hotel for Christmas now...

HairyBeaver · 15/11/2011 16:40

I'm feeling really christmassy now Grin and slightly Envy at the idea of Dc staying with gran and you and DH going back to hotel with bubbly and Xmas tv Wink

Ignore changing, shes being a knobber Grin

Bonsoir · 15/11/2011 16:40

Gosh, I have just been arranging for my family (DP, me, DD, DSS1, DSS2 and FOL) to stay in a hotel in central London for several days over Christmas. I CAN'T WAIT. No cooking, no mess, no chores and LOTS OF SHOWS!!!

overmydeadbody · 15/11/2011 16:43

I think YANBU

And you shouldn't have to defend yourself financially here, you're allowed to worry about your DS's christmas experieince without having to justify your hotel. Ridiculous.

I am like your DH, I find the overwhelming chaos of Christmas a bit much after a while and need to know I have a place I can escape to alone, for a bit, I am not strange and neither is he.

I hope your DS has a lovely time, my DS would love love love to stay in a hotel for Christmas, open his presents there and then go to granny's house to be with all the family for the day!

overmydeadbody · 15/11/2011 16:45

and very Envy that you won't have to do any housework or cooking or cleaning! How luxurious!

Original poster
witherhills · 15/11/2011 16:46

Like I said changey, you know nothing about me

cjbartlett, only mil and she is in Australia, DH has no other family, and most friends with children will be away too. I would love to host a big Xmas, in a big fancy house, loads of decorations, loads of fancy food and champagne. But in reality, it would just be really quiet and boring.

i started this thread cos I thought there must be loads of children that aren't at their own house for Xmas.
I can make it fun for him, I guess it's the first Christmas where he really gets it. It's not about presents, it's about fun and being with his cousins.
Actually I think he would be just as excited if that's all there was, his cousins!!

OP posts:
Original poster
witherhills · 15/11/2011 16:52

we do all help my mum get ready for Xmas, and we do clean up afterwards.
But she is definitely the hostess, she just loves it so much, house is all beautifully tastefully decorated. Little touches everywhere. Big log fire.
Lots of champagne.
It's fantastic actually.

OP posts:
ChippingInNeedsSleep · 15/11/2011 16:55

I'd go and squeeze in at your Mum's. DH can suck it up for a couple of days. You and DS will love it and it's what Christmas memories are made of :)

valiumredhead · 15/11/2011 16:59

My ds would LOVE to stay in a hotel for Xmas - how exciting!!