To ask if you have ever gone abroad for Xmas and if so what was it like?

[Glassteacups]

Just had another mediocre grey rainy Xmas day spent cooking with difficult family members in attendance.

We have been taking for years about me DH and dcs going somewhere either snowy and Xmassy or hot and sunny on Xmas day. Covid permitting, I think 2022 might be the year we do it.

Has anyone done this and can you share your experiences?

I'm in Turkey at the moment (Cappadocia). It isn't snowy but it is cold, it was awesome to go in a hot air balloon on Christmas day. I've also been to Australia for a super-hot and beachy Christmas. As long as you aren't hung up on your usual traditions I really recommend going away.

Pre-dc I've been to the Caribbean for Xmas. Lovely holiday - it wasn't Christmas though. Now dd is grown up I might consider it again but probably would prefer something snowy and festive. Scandinavia maybe. DH is not a huge fan of skiing. I love it but am out of practice.

We've spent Christmas in new york & really really loved it! It felt very Christmassy with all the decorations & ice skating etc

We're talking about doing it again in 2022

Watching with interest, as after a really depressing wet, grey Christmas in the UK, DH and I are thinking that next year we'll aim to go away. Our DC always wanted to be at home when they were little, but they're 14 and 10 now and even they agree that this year the weather has been unutterably grim.

I've watched Susan Calman's Xmas Norway cruise this week. I would love that. They haven't got any dates for next year yet though.

Boxing Day 2019. Not Miami Beach -Gasparilla, on the other side of Florida. We rented a house and cooked steak on the grill for Christmas lunch.

We were in Dubai this year. It was fucking brilliant although I know mumsnet will be hooking their judgy pants up at that. It fucking was though.

Yes, a beach location in Central America. It wasn't 'Christmassy' at all but it was great

It is blissful - no running about after other people all day, no family arguments, no farting dogs / uncles on the sofa. Best of all no over / under cooked Turkey.

Last time we went away our flight was the winning one in the raffle - the airline gave each passenger Euro400 as a prize and our own body weight in food and wine. I think a lot of people may have ended up at the wrong apartment but it was fun.

Skiing, French alps. Lunch was a lukewarm croque monsieur eaten at the top of a mountain in glorious sunshine. Back in time for a shower and turkey dinner at the catered chalet, with some board games afterwards. Awesome.

Sri Lanka. Morning service at the English church by Galle Face, a swim in the sea, champagne and lunch at the Hilton, then back to friends for a movie, drinks and games.

Easy enough not to take loads of bulky presents, especially if everyone is under 2/over 12. Leave the main gift exchange as something to look forward to on your return (do it on epiphany, like the Spaniards and the 3 kings).

I have spent the worst Christmas holiday and Christmas day in Gran Canaria as I detest it there and one Christmas Day on a beach in Western Australia drinking beer surrounded by kangaroos, which was very nice but also quite weird. For me, Christmas and hot countries Deon't mix.

We live in Spain and have a massive party on the beach. Then home for lunch, then back out for another party in the evening 🤣
Around 20c here so warm.

We go every year. It's wonderful! I hate British Christmas. All I will say is that you need to be open minded about the differences in the ways people celebrate (or don't) around the world. And be laid back about it :)

We have done (some a few times in different areas) australia, austria, hong kong, phuket, grand canaria, bulgaria, slovenia, spain, andorra, sweden; from memory.

I've spent Christmas in Sydney and in Las Vegas a couple of times.
It's weird to hear "Let it snow" when it's 30degrees out. But I loved the freedom from family obligations and was able to pretend it wasn't Christmas at all and enjoy the weather and do fun stuff.

Yes, many times. Doesn't matter where you go, it's always better than being stuck at home. Any European capital, especially if you like art & culture, coz lots of places stay open throughout. Anywhere warm & sunny, because better than horrible UK December weather. If you want to completely avoid Xmas, I recommend Morocco because they just totally ignore it 😎 Really hoping we can get away Xmas 2022!

We have done in the last few years Cyprus (while living there), Germany (while living there), Italy (ski holiday) and Andorra (ski holiday).

Cyprus... a bit strange really. Its winter there, but not as cold as UK winters. We had a BBQ fir Christmas Dinner. DDs got fake snow in their stockings which was fun.

Germany... its magical in the run up to Christmas. Christmas day it self was quite similar really. (Although CE is the bigger day there)

Italy... well its definitely a White Christmas in a ski resort! Lots of fancy dress on the slopes, the instructors took the kids for a night ski (with glow sticks!). The food wasn't great in the hotel overall.

Andorra (this year) great fun. No ski school on CD, with it being the last day (ski school being Mon-Sat) they just added extra hour to the other days instead. Lovely meals Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (completely different to British food, their local traditions instead). Santa in the hotel Christmas Eve. Major downside... we had to get up 4am Boxing Day to get on the bus to the airport.

Present wise... we only take stockings or small things when travelling (when living abroad we sometimes came back to the UK so did it in reverse!). Main presents wait until home. We sometimes do early presents if its something that will be useful on the trip... this year thick socks, new card games and new hats and gloves sets.

One year as a child we flew to family in the US on Christmas Day. It was so exciting and we arrived in time for Christmas dinner.

A few years ago we went to Oman for Christmas, Father Christmas arrived on a camel. No Turkey, tiny but thoughtful gifts because of luggage allowance. Absolutely loved it and because nothing was too Christmassy I didn't have the post Christmas blues. Would love to do Christmas away from home again soon but will wait until the kids are older.

Yes, we often have Christmas away. Sometimes just a bit of winter sun, The Canaries, Cape Verde or similar where it's very laid back having Christmas on the beach or hiking with a picnic. We've also safari's over Christmas, and that is fab. Some African countries celebrate Christmas and it is lovely to feel so festive in such a different environment. In short, we love being away at this time of year!

Yes! Went skiing one year and spent Xmas day pelting down the slopes with a pizza for lunch. Best Xmas ever.

I used to live in New York , so was very Christmassy there. The only thing I found weird was they didn't have Boxing day there. All shops were open as normal ( mind you a lot are here now).

I went to Cyprus for Xmas it was full and boring if I'm honest

I was thinking the same, now dc out of fc better to go away or, have Xmas day at home and fly off boxing day?
It's so grim and wet... I'm do enjoy Xmas day to a degree but no large family to see etc so just us and no one is really a talker so it's a little flat sat around with no conversation going on.

I think going away would inject some interest.
I'd love to do Thailand, Switzerland, or skiing somewhere but as pp said they had a magical time.. Who knows where? Another resort maybe absolutely dreadful it's such a gamble.

However I've always dreamed if a beautiful cosy classic hotel... And sleigh rides etc.

Cyprus was dull* and boring

Twice, pre kids, but I am now contemplating it for next year. DD is old enough to amuse herself/make friends/try new sports and eats virtually anything.

First trip was to the Maldives, to a fairly small resort. I think you probably need to like one or more of sailing/snorkelling/diving/reading books to enjoy it. It was lovely. The staff were infeasibly excited about the whole thing. Christmas Dinner was outside under the stars - a massive seafood (and meat and curry) buffet. Santa turned up during the day, landing on the beach in a dhow and we all had little gifts. The tsunami on Boxing Day was a bit of a downer (but we felt more sorry for the staff with family back in Sri Lanka etc - we left a hefty tip to help towards airfares etc).

15 years ago we were in the Gambia - upriver in a small resort in floating lodges. Only about 20 guests and lovely hosts and staff. Again the staff were very excited (which was odd because many were muslim). We spent the evenings sat around a fire and went for walks/boatrides during the day bird and monkey watching. Christmas day involved a little staff show (traditional singing and dancing) then we all sat down to a lunch overlooking the river.

BTW just before Christmas is usually a lot cheaper.