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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to go away and not do Christmas this year?

31 replies

DancingInTheSnow · 15/10/2013 20:08

WIBU to book a holiday somewhere warm to be away on Christmas Day, not do Christmas shopping, not put a tree or decorations up at home, and not celebrate Christmas this year (other than by having a Christmas Day dip in a pool maybe!). The holiday would be instead of presents for us all including the boys who are 10/11 and 6. The "build up" to Christmas would be a build up to the holiday instead.

Is that a ridiculous idea?

OP posts:
Doingakatereddy · 15/10/2013 20:10

Do it, will be the best thing you ever do and give you such perspective on how crazy Xmas has become in UK.

And take me with you!

CruCru · 15/10/2013 20:11

I'd go to India, perhaps Kerala. That's lovely at Christmas time.

Ragwort · 15/10/2013 20:13

No it's not a ridiculous idea.

We have made it a 'rule' never to get stuck into a Christmas routine, some years we go abroad, sometimes we stay on our own, sometimes we host visitors, sometimes we visit family and a couple of years we have volunteered at a Christmas day shelter.

It is important that if you go away on holiday that you are doing it as a 'positive thing' ie: not just to 'escape' the turkey/relatives/shopping/whatever.

It suits our family to do different things, but it suits some families to have a traditional Christmas that is the same each year - you have to work out what's right for your family. Smile.

Aniseeda · 15/10/2013 20:15

Sounds like a fantastic idea to me, I only wish I could do it too.

I would probably buy something for the boys to open on the day though not sure why I'd feel the need if they were not bothered - maybe it's just too ingrained in me!

StrawberryMojito · 15/10/2013 20:17

What do the boys think? If they would be disappointed then YABU, if not then go for it. Could you still buy them a little something to open on Christmas morning though?

frustratedashell · 15/10/2013 20:18

Sounds great! Go for it!

SnookyPooky · 15/10/2013 20:22

My Mum is not doing Christmas this year. She is coming to stay with us, we don't do a tree because our cats would wreck it in five minutes and we go out for lunch on the day. We live in Cyprus and though it won't be warm enough for swimming it us usually quite mild.

If you can get away do it!

travailtotravel · 15/10/2013 20:25

CruCru delighted to hear it - that's where we are off to.

We do one year on, one year off as it were. This is our off year and I cannot waitl

AnandaTimeIn · 15/10/2013 20:29

I'd go for it. You're going to have loads more traditional Christmasses in the future anyway.

I've been away for Xmas, love it (prefer it really...), you get a whole new perspective on it. It's a lovely and different experience.

And you'll give your boys (and you!) lovely memories.

nkf · 15/10/2013 20:30

It's a wonderful idea.

nkf · 15/10/2013 20:31

Why Kerala at Christmas?

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 15/10/2013 20:31

You should deffo read the John Grisham book "Skipping Christmas". I actually think it could be wonderful idea :)

Varya · 15/10/2013 20:32

Great idea OP, go for it.

Original poster
DancingInTheSnow · 15/10/2013 21:44

Wow! Thanks v much. I am spurred on by your encouraging words. I love the idea of one year on, one year off and not getting into a Christmas routine as things to think about.

I will run it past the children again tomorrow to check they are as up for it as I think and if they are I shall be brave and go for it. The thought of not having to face the annual what to buy X or Y for Christmas is really liberating!

Those of you who have years where you go away. Do you explain to friends/relatives that you are opting out and ask them not to exchange presents with you that year?

OP posts:
Peelie69 · 15/10/2013 22:00

Do it. Ditch the commercial madness and scrape it back to basics....family, together. And Santa on a camel. Priceless!

Original poster
DancingInTheSnow · 15/10/2013 22:50
OP posts:
starfishmummy · 15/10/2013 22:55

I have done this as an adult and have family members who still do - I am Envy

Suttonmum1 · 15/10/2013 23:16

But will you fit an elf, a shelf and christmas eve hampers for everyone in your luggage?

Seriously, sounds a fantastic idea to me. Go for it.

Amy106 · 15/10/2013 23:18

Do it. I would if I could. It sounds like heaven.

Blush12 · 15/10/2013 23:31

We have done it the past 2 years. We go to Thailand and hire a car and have seen amazing places and we are going again this year again at the DS's request.

We have a Christmas Day on our return.

Do it as memories are great and we still talk and laugh about things we saw / happened during the year especially the tuk tuk ride from hell on a grid locked New Year's Eve in Bangkok Grin

MortifiedAdams · 15/10/2013 23:34

We did Florida for the Christmas and NY when I was 15, and my little sister 7. Flew out Christmas Eve, saw in NYE with the parade in the Magic Kingdom and had frankly, an amazing.time! We had stockings pn Christnmas Morning.

BlingBang · 15/10/2013 23:42

We've flown out twice on Christmas Day. Much cheaper and the roads and airports are so much quieter. However we still did Christmas. just shifted the whole Christmas Day thing one day earlier when flying out early on Christmas morning. Still did Christmas Day when leaving for the airport on Christmas evening.

NomDeOrdinateur · 16/10/2013 08:16

I think it sounds dismal, but as long as your family are on board YANBU! Just please, for the sake of your DC's future partners, avoid passing on the for-the-sake-of-it antipathy to Christmas which has become so fashionable in recent years - it's so draining and dispiriting for family members who are actually able to enjoy a traditional Christmas without getting caught up in all of the marketing hype.

Ragwort · 16/10/2013 08:23

Dancing - we have seriously cut down presents so we don't have any explaining to do when we are away. We only give to nieces/nephews/Godchildren and that is cash or voucher (easy and what most older children/teenagers want anyway Grin). No ILs left and my elderly parents have down sized so prefer a charity goat gift and I usually put a small basket of treats together. I have one old school friend that we still exchange presents with. Job done Grin.

Squitten · 16/10/2013 09:15

DH's 40th birthday will be in 3yrs time and I've already suggested that we go away for Xmas that year as a special birthday trip (unfortunately will have to bring the 8yr old, 6yr old and 3yr old we'll have by then!). Very interesting to read where is good to go...