To spend this amount of money

[Mindycindy]

Basically I've had the year from Hell. My dog passed away, I had a major health scare and was admitted to hospital, I was diagnosed with a chronic serious illness and then most recently my dad passed away.

I want to do something special this Christmas.

I have been left a small amount by my dad, a few thousand.

I have found a 3 night stay in a really luxury place that includes all food (three courses etc) for Christmas eve Christmas day and boxing day. It really is a special place.

It costs 1800. Is that just a total waste of money? It's over half of what my dad left me and I'd hate to think I'm wasting it. I know its all relative but do you think that's what you'd expect that to cost for 2 people at Christmas time in a luxury place with all food included for 3 nights?

also I would add if you are set on doing this, that you contact the hotel in advance and speak to them about the fact you are doing this in light of a recent bereavement and so (in more elegant language) it is really important to you that it is a positive experience, you dont want to leave anything to chance and that you have a room that is not shitty (don't say that obviously) but whatever matters to you quiet, with a view, not too hot, not without air con, not by the noisy bar or kitchen, not in an outpost, in the old part or the new part and so on.

For this kind of thing, you are better of speaking to the hotel directly - the front desk rather than a random booking line as they won't have the inside gen on the hotel.

Before you arrive there is normally lots of scope to shift rooms and guests around but once you are there if its full you are stuffed like I was.

It depends how you’re otherwise doing financially, I guess.

We’d do it, but it wouldn’t have an huge impact. If we were living month to month, as many people are, it would be a complete waste of money that would be better spent elsewhere.

Only you know what value £1800 has to you.

I do know the place isn't overhyped because I went before for 1 night a couple of years ago for My wedding anniversary and absolutely loved it and vowed I would love to go back one day.

go for it. There will always be reasons not to spend your income on this kind of treat. But as you say your dad would totally approve then go for it.

i stayed in a lovely 4* hotel one NYE and it was great. Food was incredible and the atmosphere was really nice. I’d definitely splash out on a Christmas trip if I came into some money.

I've booked round trip flights and 10 days accommodation in Florida for less than that amount next spring... so to me it would be a 'no way' at £600 per night.

Only you know if it's good value for you, OP.

I would book it like a shot, OP. It sounds fabulous, it will be something to look forward to over the coming weeks, and you can think of it as a lovely gift from your dad. Go and enjoy yourself.

Well obviously it's up to you and it's all relative. If you're able to pay for your essentials I see no issue with treating yourself.

Your later posts make it very clear this is precisely what you want OP. So really just do it and celebrate your father.

I would go. Especially given your updates, you’ve been before so you are satisfied that you won’t be disappointed.

My thought process would be, if you don’t have debts that need paying off, and you’re doing alright money wise day to day, then yes use some of the money inherited to treat yourself.
as you say, the first Christmas after bereavement will be hard.

To me for somewhere luxury over Christmas that sounds good value.

I think it sounds really nice and while it's not cheap it's not over-the-top expensive either, at £300 per person per night to include all meals.
And all hotels are (much) more expensive over the Christmas period.
I'd go for it and also endorse a PP's suggestion to "repay" the cost back to you via regular payments to a savings account or similar, if the idea appeals.

Do it

I would definitely do it in your position. You obviously aren't massively struggling financially (you say you holiday abroad each year) so it's not like you will be using money that might otherwise pay for basics like food or heating.

I think it's a nice sort of tribute to your dad to do something really special, that you wouldn't otherwise do, that will give you lasting memories.

The only caveat I would make is that some hotels aren't great at Christmas even if they are good most of the time. So do your research carefully if it's even slightly possible this could be the case.....

If you can afford it, do it! You've had a rough year and you only live once.

This Christmas is likely to be painful whatever you do. So anything that makes it more bearable is a very good thing.

We are doing the same for slightly different reasons but not dissimilar. I don’t have any parents with me either and my dog is dying as we speak, I am in bits and can’t face any part of this year - but I am going to redesign our Christmas too by having cocktail nights, grown up black dresses, Japanese food on Christmas Day and something sophisticated rather than tender and nostalgic, I have older teens and so I have to put on a brave face, and make it fun for them, we are swimming in the sea on Christmas Day! We are not doing anything traditional at all.

i really hope this break is all you need it to be, and takes the pressure off op. I would book it in a heartbeat. Your Dad will be so glad the money is being used to make things easier for you when you most need it op 💐💐

This might be your new Christmas and if you enjoy it you have all year to save for the following year

@Mindycindy If i could afford it then it would be nice, if not then id save it

My question would be simply as to whether, after experiencing such a difficult year, whether you will be in the right frame of mind to be able to enjoy it ?

That would be the test for whether it's value for money or not.

As long as you aren't in debt then money spent on what a person enjoys isn't a waste as it's their money and their priorities.

I can understand that following your dad's death you want to start making new associations for Christmas. There's a lot of sense in that. But if you are too distraught to enjoy it, that's when it wouldn't be a good use of your money.

It does sound really lovely but £1800, I think I'd want a longer holiday than just 3 days.

It sounds like a well-deserved treat at the end of a crap year.

I'm sure your dad would rather you spent it on something that would bring you joy, than just have it absorbed into household bills!

I'd go. You think your dad would thoroughly approve, you've been to that hotel before, loved it and wanted to return. If you go anywhere else, unless it is somehow so much better as to knock the socks off the one you want to go to, you'll just sit there thinking 'I wish I'd gone to X' instead. Think of it as your dad hosting you for Christmas this time and enjoy the start of your new tradition.

You will feel empty afterwards.

What???

Do it. It sounds like a great use of the money to me.

Use £1800 of the inheritance. Aim to put back half of that into that pot. It’s not complicated?

Or, spend £900 of your own money and use £900 inheritance.

I agree and also think if you have an awful first christmas it could contextualise all Christmases to follow at least in your mind. If you see this as a celebration of him and needed self care, and manage to have a good Christmas all things considered, it may pay dividends in terms of your mental health and future Christmases (and ability to enjoy them) going forwards. I would spend it.