To go away over Xmas?

[Lulumush]

I'm a single mum of 7 year old twins. Family mostly local - two married brothers and both parents.
I am considering 'disappearing' for Xmas this year as I want a break from the family. I hosted Xmas 2018 as well as Easter so feel like I've done my bit.
AIBU to go away and take my kids with me? Any suggestions on destinations that won't break the bank?

U.K. or overseas? For overseas you are best looking at packages as flights are expensive then and weather unreliable- more safeguards with a package. For the U.K. how about Scotland in the mountains where you can pretty much guarantee snow? No idea what the charge would be but the Hilton near aviemore is nice and there's reindeer nearby. Most Christmas deals in hotels insist you stay 24-27th we found

DH and I went to Thailand for one Christmas. It was lovely! A break away is fantastic!

No destination ideas but I don't think you're being U at all! We've gone away over Christmas a couple of times and it's lovely relaxing and not having to make special meals (even though I like cooking).

We’re doing a mon-fri this year with xmas day in the middle, uk cottage break, so plenty room in the car for pressies. We go away most years for Christmas now, it’s just less stressful than hosting. We had the biggest dining table therefore we got lumbered every bloody year. Last year went to Lapland which was amazing but definitely doesn’t come under the ‘budget’ umbrella!

Go away and you might find that you and your DC might just want to do it every year! Maybe you will strike up some new traditions and memories. Yanbu.

Thanks for all your comments and I love the idea of Scotland and Thailand! The Hilton doesn't seem to exist anymore however!! I will look at other options. Also where in Thailand would you recommend? I may opt for the closer destination but want to consider! Thanks again all.

If you can be away on the evening of the 5th of January (obviously depends on when they're due back at school) then how about the Canaries?

That's the biggest part of Christmas in Spain and they have the Three Kings Parade in most main towns and the kings ride through the streets on camels throwing sweets into the crowd and leading a procession. Magical for young DCs.

Put your requirements into Jet2holidays and see what comes up. Somewhere like Lanzarote or Tenerife will probably be good and then there's plenty to do even if the weather isn't beach/pool weather - but we've been twice between mid Dec and mid Jan and have had beach weather 5 or 6 days in a week with just the odd cooler/showery day.

Lots of stuff to do, including volcano park, caves, beach, pool (look for a hotel with a heated pool) beach etc and Spain often has really good outdoor play parks too.

Or you could just go to a big AI resort in Egypt or Cape Verde for slightly better weather and on site waterpark etc. YANBU to go away at all.

I went away for Christmas one year and it was lovely. The canaries will be warm and are cheap. Otherwise there is skiing (which is what I did).

Santa can send them on the holiday as their present! Enjoy and don't mind what the family think!

nothing wrong with a break from time to time! everyone needs their own free time or else we go mad!!

YANBU but you need to be able to say no to family too. Next they ask you or assume you're hosting, remind them you hosted Xmas 2018 and it's someone else's turn.

When I was a child we went away for Christmas every year. It was lovely. Only in the UK, about 1.5 hours from home. I still find Christmas at home strange now.

Madeira is lovely at that time of year :)

Definitely not unreasonable to want to get away, we don't do the big family Christmas thing and like to spend Christmas and boxing just ourselves with no pressure.

Venice

The Hilton at Aviemore is called Coylumbridge if that helps.

I stayed at the Coylumbridge hotel just last month - it was lovely and you’ll most likely get snow being in the Cairngorms! It’s owned by Britannia now. The staff were all fantastic as was the food and the pool etc 😊

Bet they have nice stuff on over Christmas too.

I was thinking of going away too op but not sure where! Cape Verde did come up, has anyone been there?

I love going away for Christmas. We always did pre DC and now they're older they're happy to go away and escape my family.

Have done SE Asia, Morocco & Spain in the past. Still trying to plan this year.

Everyone is being so helpful sir thanks for all the advice.

Much as I love a bit of winter sun I am v tempted by Aviemore.

@SuzieBishop did you take kids up there? What did you do while there?

@Mummyoftwo91 I haven't been there. It's near the Canaries, right?

Yep, we took my 2 year old - so the hotelitself has a great pool, outside play area and arcade room and a soft play just across the road so that was great.
We visited Landmark which is an outdoor adventure park and also the Highland Wildlife Park which has slot of wild animals. There’s a steam train aswell you can ride on but we didn’t have time for that and I’ve heard there’s a herd of reindeer you can go and feed!!

@SuzieBishop sounds good! The hotel has had mixed reviews on Trip Advisor but sounds like you rate it?? To be honest as long as I'm fed and watered I will be happy to be honest!

I think this is one of those marmite things. Personally, I couldn't imagine being away for Christmas. I like the comfortable familiarity of routines and home! (Disclaimer, I'm not a great traveller at the best of times!) I also don't mind hosting, but my mum is also happy to do so so it doesnt just automatically fall to me. And my family - despite their faults - are quite sensible when it comes to who is fining with whom.

However, I know some people who do go away and love it. My friend went away the Christmas after she lost her teenage daughter just to have a totally different experience without all the 'we always do that' memories that Christmas evokes. That made perfect sense to me.

Yes! Definitely go. We sometimes go away at Xmas and we love it! Family time is great, but it's much more restful and fun to sometimes do something different. It can also break the "Do X one year, the do Y next year" Cycle!