To 'skip' Christmas and take a family holiday instead?

[GuineaPigsAreSuperCute]

On the one hand I do love the Christmas time of year but it is a lot of build up and prep for 'one day.' I was thinking we should try a holiday in the sun instead. Myself, DH and 2 DC aged 12 and 11. Given the choice I am pretty sure the DC would be happy to forgo gifts for a holiday. (The holiday would be instead of a summer holiday I should add as we definitely couldn't afford more than one in a year, we tend to go every couple of years).We don't have a very large extended family and only usually see 4 or 5 family members over Christmas.

Has anyone ever done it? Do you recommend it? Or is it way over priced due to the time of year?

Where did you go? Thinking warm weather 24/25'C + and as little rain as possible.

Do it! Never done it myself but I know people who go away ever year without fail. They always go to the Canaries and it's always warm and sunny and they love it

That would be just bliss - Xmas day on the beach with a glass of something chilled. Do it !

We have done this a couple of times. It's always down to me to sort Christmas and have everyone round so the only way to avoid it was to go away.

We wrnt to Fuetoventura once - pluses were it was warmish and still Chistmasy. Downside was that it wasn't sitting on the beach weather. The other time we went to Cape Verde - pluses were it was lovely and warm and sitting on the beach weather. Downside was that there wasn't anything Christmasy at all happening so Xmas just passed us by.

We had a lovely time at both though and I would recommend it. Just be aware that you cannot take crackers abroad in either hold luggage or hand luggage, there was trouble at the airport both times related to crackers!!

We used to go to Lanzarote every other Christmas whilst my parents were fit enough to travel. The DCs absolutely loved it, although they did get some presents too.

I used to have a colleague who did exactly this.
Her main holiday was at Christmas, always somewhere warm and exotic.
She has 2 teenagers very few relatives.
They always seemed to have an amazing time.

We go on holidays most Christmas. We still do presents though! A little stockinv of holiday bits while there, and a main gift when we get home.

I've been thinking about doing this. We have very few relatives and I always feel like a Billy No-Mates at Christmas. Going away somewhere might make it sting a little less.

We have a tradition to go to a non-Christian country for Christmas (or at least one that doesn't close down over the Christmas period). Sun is a plus. Previous years include Egypt, Kenya, Turkey, Morocco, China, and considering Israel this year.

It has the advantage of massively keeping down the avalanche of presents as well!!

We do holidays over Christmas. Far more exciting experiencing it in another country. At Ages 11 and 12 why would they want to be traipsing house to house seeing family and literally the build up to one meal ? Definitely go for it!

We had the most amazing Christmas in Fuerteventura, lovely beach weather and still somewhat Christmassy (but not down your throat like here). Although my kids would not be happy to forgo Christmas presents. However, if you want guaranteed warm weather you will probably need to go somewhere in the Southern hemisphere. Canaries can be lovely, but it may also only be 20 degrees - just don’t know.
however, I’m not sure I’d do it instead of a summer holiday…

Have a family meeting ...

Do it! But please do get the DC a few little gifts though.

Do it! I want to but my family aren't keen.

I am put off by the amount of disruption there seems to be at airports at Christmas due to industrial action and/or weather.

I tried to persuade my family to go to Madeira last Christmas (warmth, diving etc) but my youngest (11) insisted we should go to Scotland to visit the grandparents s per 🤷‍♀️. Definitely going to stand my ground this year.

I know quite a few people who do this but the children still get presents.

I think it depends on your child- I always loved the family visiting at Christmas.

I was taken to Australia for Christmas when I was 10 and it was rubbish. Definitely the worst Christmas I’ve had… but then I love winter and rain, hate the sun and don’t like things being out of place!

We frequently go skiing at Christmas .. so not exactly a 'sunshine' holiday but a great break. We've always had a good time, DC get a few 'small' gifts but understand that the main present is the holiday. Everyone enjoys it, we do go back to the same place so there is a familiarity about it and we are known at the church etc (we are regular church attenders so it's an important part of Christmas).

So the kids have a choice of summer holiday and Christmas gifts or a winter holiday. If I was them I would take summer holiday.

We went to Costa Rica last year! Wonderful! Got the children a couple of small gifts before we left and escaped all the mad build up. Back for New Year.

Fair point. Sounds like a couple of small gifts would be a must if we did go for it.

We don't like all the stress around Christmas so one year decided to go away.

My mum said "Oh what a shame you won't be here for Christmas. We will have to bring it forward for you"!!!!!!

I like the idea of somewhere slightly more adventurous/exotic.

Went went to Lanzarote just after new year. Be prepared for that post holiday feeling to be worse when you arrive back to winter. I felt a bit disoriented for a couple of days.

I guess you got the best of both worlds 😂But did you have to cook? We would love a break from hosting!

The Canaries sounds like a popular choice but I think I would prefer a better chance of warmer weather. Cape Verde sounds like somewhere to consider.