Not to have a christmas tree??

[drivinmecrazy]

Am flying to Spain for christmas with my mum on the 20th, not due back til the 30th. DH joining us christmas eve. Normally we put up a tree when DDs break up from school (this week-end), but hardly seems worth it. Feel a bit humbugish and not at all christmasy. DDs have a fibre optic tree in DD1 bedroom.
Friends who come round seem to think we are depriving the kids of a big part of christmas, making me feel a bit mean.
DDs will have their own huge tree to decorate at my Mums and say they don't really mind not having one here (11 & 6). Last year it didn't seem so mean because we didn't come home til the 2nd when we would have taken the tree down anyway.
So, small tree or no tree? (also feel a teensy bit guilty cos our 15yo cat loves the decorations and she will be at home looked in on by neighbours each day)

I wouldn't have a tree if the cat is to be there on her own. Sounds as though a tree in DDs room + the one at your Mum's will be fine.

That's what I think, just comments from friends have got me feeling guilty, as if my DDs were missing out on some of the build up cos christmas is very low key until we get to Spain

We don't have a tree if we are going away for Christmas. We like a real tree, but invariably we always have to travel for Xmas as we're expats, so there is no point spending the money to have it wilting at home whilst we're away for 2 weeks. If it was just a quick 2 day trip, then I would have one, but I think in your case - you're flying from 20th to 30th right? - then I wouldn't bother. Having said that, we do put Xmas decorations up, fairy lights etc to give the place a festive feel, so perhaps you could do that. Ignore the comments - they are just jealous you are buggering off to Spain!

Oh knickers to your friends. Probably just annoyed they've had to remortgage to afford one this year! Deprived my arse - holiday in Spain does not = deprived.

It seemingly does to my DDs, and also 5 week in the summer is cruelty cos they might miss a birthday or two. I do think they miss out slightly in Spain cos there is not the same hype as here, but to an adult thats a bonus. Able to go shopping christmas eve and find a half empty car park is a definite bonus. Also the only Father Christmas they saw last year was a gaggle of pissed spanish workers tumbling out of the Tapas bar in Santa outfits while the thermometer nudged 18 degrees, poor kids Have threatened them with summer at home next year just to show them the benefits of the beach 10 minutes away and a pool in the garden.