To take my children on holiday for Xmas?

[Isawthesignanditopenedupmyeyes]

Not a stealth post, I work long hard hours and I’ve seen a bargain holiday to the sun for Xmas that I can afford. I struggle with Xmas at home as have no family other than my DH and DC and would dearly love to get away. I miss my mum so much at Xmas and find it really hard seeing friends having big family Xmases. So you would think it’s a no brainier but my DC (10 and 12) desperately want to stay at home for Christmas. They don’t believe in Santa but cynically I think they know they will get less to open on Christmas Day if we are away, although I appreciate they also just want to be in their own home. They really, really don’t want to go. DH wants to go.
I’m thinking about just booking it anyway and I’m sure they will have a nice time.
AIBU?

OP can you share the deal lol, I think xmas away would be great! My DD is almost 1 and it won't matter to her, but DH and i would love a lil holiday away that time of year!

Also, just go. Tell the kids its only this year and if they don't like it then you'll stick to xmas at home each year instead.

'Imagine waking up xmas morning and opening presents on the beach'. Or something to that effect

How much have you talked about it? Have you got the children to explain exactly why they want to stay at home? They're old enough to do that. Have you "sold" the holiday destination itself, rather than the not being at home.

Make a pros and cons list together (having researched all the reasons they'd love the holiday first).

I wouldn't say "I'm the adult, we're going and you'd better enjoy it or else, ungrateful mumble mumble... " There are MN ers who would - I'm always surprised how many people think they should be able to demand that their pre teen performs gratitude and happiness for things their parents have chosen against their will! If you "put your foot down" you'd be unreasonable to complain about them being miserable and scowling a lot of the time.

You get the final say of course, but at 10 and 12 you can manipulate them persuade them that your idea is the best one ever. Don't wheedle and beg, absolutely not, but sell the idea.

Could you maybe go on Boxing Day?

Can you go on Boxing day or NY?

I actually wouldn't go. Your youngest is only 10 years old, so still very much into christmas, and the focus in my view should be on your children having an amazing christmas, and lots of happy childhood memories, and its not about you.

It is the one time of year when the dc most certainly should come first.

So no, don't go, they will feel cheated.

Why not organise your very own big family christmas? If you haven't any family then invite friends or neighbours over for a christmas morning drink or party in the evening. Its time you had the big christmas you are dreaming of.

Go! We have had various hols abroad at Christmas with kids at various ages in places such as Kenya, Thailand etc. The kids love it. They still do Christmas for visitors although mainly Christmas Eve as it is what most europeans celebrate. It makes a real change but can still feel christmassy!

OP Xmas in the sun is Great! Bit of variety for the kids, I'd say take it. You can spend Xmas in the UK anytime because you live here. Especially since its a holiday you won't have to break bank for.

Do it. Christmas isn't just about children. You deserve to be happy too. They will have plenty more Christmases x

I wouldn't let the kid's rule when i have a holiday, christmas here is dull and boring, rubbish tv, i wouldn't hesitate i'd go

The more I read on MN about children kicking up a is about holidays, food and other activities the more I think how bloody easy my parents had it!

Book the holiday. Tell the children that life is about trying new experiences and that they might love being away. And if not, never mind, next year can be at home.

I don’t remember ever being consulted before a holiday was booked.

“We’re going to France for the summer, you’ll like this campsite - it has a swimming pool”

Or “we’re going to Florida for Christmas, we’ll have a day at universal studios and go to a mall if you like”

Or “we’re going to Portugal at Easter. Remember how much you liked the beach there?”

I couldn't spend Christmas away from home anyway but if my children were desperate to stay then I couldn't make them go I don't think. Christmas only happens once a year abc I don't think it's the same celebrated earlier or later.... that said as a parent you have to decide what is best for you all. So maybe try it but if they hate it then don't make them do it again until they are old enough for you to spend Xmas a part.

Go for it. We booked a holiday for Christmas. Ours didn't want to go but we had a great time. We took tint pop-up trees for each room and everyone had 3/4 small presents which we took with us.

I bet you're getting to point when thy only want clothes/computer games anyway so not like proper toys to play with.

Go for it. Tell them you'll do "real Christmas Day" the week before!

I sit them down and talk to them about it. Actually work out what theyre objections are and have the opportunity to put forward how awesome it would be.

To be it would be an absolute waste to have a holiday that the children won't actually enjoy. That said if its just that the wont get presents im sure thats easily sorted.

In the end though Christmas happens only one day a year thats 364 other days to holiday in

Yes, definitely book it! Your children (and/or you!) may not choose to do it another year, but none of you will know til you give it a try. If you wait until they’re a bit older they certainly won’t want to join you as they’ll be wanting to stay home to see their friends during the school hols, so try it now before they get to that age! It’s liberating to escape and removes a lot of the pre Christmas stress from the entire family, in my opinion.

I don’t remember ever being consulted before a holiday was booked.
same here!

I don't ask my kids either. Most of the times they wouldn't know if they like the holiday or not anyway, but they always end up having a good time.

I would go, you can celebrate Christmas anywhere and in any climate. At least they will try it once in the sun, it might be their best ever. You can still have a Christmas tree and do all the Christmas stuff before the holiday anyway.

I would go if I were you, talk about what traditions the kids want to observe whilst you're away (if any) and have Christmas day at home with all the trimmings - just not on the 25th.

Where do you want to go to? We always go away for the whole of Christmas.

The kids don't get a choice.

We didn't get a choice about holidays either. Sometimes my parents spent what must have been a lot of money on pretty miserable holidays, especially when they planned a transfer day full of admin and waiting in queues on my birthday, or decided to take a young teen and a pre teen who hated each other's guts, plus a much younger sibling, away cooped up in a motor caravan or canal boat, or they had blazing rows in airports due to being frazzled from trying to do an adult style holiday with children who due to work they didn't actually spend much time with day to day and understand the dynamics between... Then they'd yell at us for being ungrateful, and my mother would cry...

When we got home history would be rewritten and we'd be told we had loved it.

Adults have the final say, but telling children that they'll do as they're told and they'd better be grateful can backfire.

Could you not go on 27/28th?

You’re the parent. It’s your call.

We went away on Boxing day one year - would that work??

Go! We’re flying out on the 21st to Dubai. Can’t wait - we’ve had a shit year.

We will have a fake Christmas Eve and day, have people over.

Just imagine sitting by the pool on Christmas Eve drinking a nice cocktail watching the kids in the pool when every one is killing each other in the super market over the last pack of pigs in blankets or the fucking grid locked car parks! Or mooching down for a nice meal after a day by the pool on Xmas day - totally stress free!

You will all have a blast including the kids!

We were away in Australia for Christmas once - the DC were 10, 8 and 5. DD still tells me how she will never go away for Christmas again - its just not the same! I would go Boxing day if i were you

blue my family holidays are not like that!