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?

What’s the obsession with going abroad or somewhere hot? Op wants a magical Christmas time experience to finish the year on a positive note. And she can get there in the comfort of her own car. Totally go for it and create memories for years to come.

But it’s not really £1800 is it? It’s £1800 less whatever you normally spend on food over Christmas. So maybe £1500. If you just get each other a simple gift each and count the stay as your main present, it means even more of a saving.

other benefits are it will take the pressure of organising Christmas after what sounds like a very stressful time.

£1800 for a week abroad somewhere beautiful over Christmas for two people, including food? I think you're out of touch with prices.

We went somewhere beautiful last year in early December last year. Had we gone over Christmas, it would have cost FOUR times as much - over 10 grand!

It's a lot of money for 3 nights. I'd be hoping for a longer break away with that money or a cheaper break.
But I suppose if you are saying you could afford it with income then you aren't hard up and strapped for cash, in which case it would be better to save it for a rainy day. So if you can make your first Christmas without your Dad feel just the tiniest bit better then maybe you should do it.
You will always remember the break away as a present from your Dad.

I was going to say no if it was just somewhere you'd read about or found online, as often these things can be a bit disappointing in 3D.

Rude staff, place a bit grubby etc.

However, if you have already physically been to the venue, know the vibe, like the staff, 100% yes.

I'm actually doing the same thing..I had a good "cheap 7 day break" in X location, I think it's worth going for 2 days somewhere nicer in area.

It actually can be easier going for a short stay than a long one as you don't need to stress about packing clothing or house empty too long, or laundry etc.

Life is short and if you're not putting regular extravagant holidays on credit cards something like this is well worth it

My tip would be to budget for some nice clothing as well. A nice dress and also some comfy warm loungewear so you can enjoy the hotel room. Don't overplan, just sit and soak the vibe in.

I hope you have a lovely time.

It sounds lovely , I'd go.

Jeez where do you go, the Ritz?

If christmas at home would be spoiled this year by not spending it with your dad & your dog , have the hotel break and enjoy it .

Bloody do it OP. We have also had a similar kind of year, and it really takes its toll. Just do it for yourself.

It's quite a lot, but I think the first Christmas after you've lost a close family member is horrible, and it would be lovely to get away from whatever your normal routine is, and to remember your Dad in nice surroundings. I'm sure he would have wanted you to enjoy the money he left you and not to stuff it away in a savings account.

Life is short, do the things you love ..

My family & I had a night away at a Michelin Starred country house hotel. We never get yo go away together (as there are so many of its it’s like herding cats).

We did it at Christmas (not the day itself, but in the holidays).

it was £500 a room, bed breakfast, meal .. we bought wine for everyone. Cost a fortune, but I would not have changed anything. It was so beautiful .. the hotel was decked out for Christmas, we had mulled wine, a beautiful meal, nobody had to rush off home as we were all staying over (all 22 of us)

I don’t even think about the money now, just a load of happy memories.

If you were to consider somewhere warm op, then that really is the antidote to Christmas you can swerve it altogether - but it doesn’t sound like you want the hassle of airports etc and it needs to be easy.

It sounds perfect and if you don't need the money for anything else I'd do it.

I lost my dad suddenly. First Christmas was in-laws and I had to fitght years and depression.
Second and next few Christmases were with my lovely mum but dad left a gaping hole. I now hate Christmas (and birthdays).

Definitely some new memories or traditions are needed

I know a lot of people don't agree but I think you should book. Tomorrow isn't promised, and at the end all you'll have is your memories. I'm sure your dad would of wanted you to spend it doing something special. Raise a toast to your dad during your champagne breakfast and have a lovely time x

As you have now said that it's affordable for you, yes you should definitely go!

You should definitely do it - go and have a lovely time and raise a glass of champagne to your dad. He would be very happy that you are enjoying his money,

On the other hand, there will be drinks expenses on top of the £1800 and OP hasn't said whether it includes all meals. She said she gets breakfast on Boxing Day and the day after but didn't actually say it includes Dinner on Boxing Day. Good hotels usually cost more for any drinks.

I think she should go, as I've already said earlier, but it would be wrong to think she can set the cost of her Christmas Lunch against the £1800.

I think you should do it. And I would think that regardless of your general financial situation. I consider that an inheritance is something extra and not to be used on the day to day things. Without wishing to be rude, from what you say, the size of your inheritance is not going to clear all your bills , mortgage etc. I hope that anything I leave when the time comes, will be used for something special to creat a memory for those left behind. My darling Nan left me a couple of hundred pounds and even though I could have used it on sensible things like bills, I chose to buy a particular item which I loved and which I know she would have absolutely approved of. Even now, almost 30 years later, every time I look at it, I remember her and it brings a smile to my face. Inwardly I say 'thank you Nan,' for enabling me to own something very beautiful which I could never have justified in normal circumstances.
Have your special holiday, raise a glass to your dad and to a better year ahead, knowing he would want you to be happy. 💐

Go and do it OP. I think you would really regret it if you didn’t. Go and raise a glass of champagne for your dad on Christmas Day morning.

It's completely up to you and how you feel, but I'd be a bit worried that Christmas is going to feel a bit morose and sad this year, however much cash you throw at it, and I wouldn't want to spend £££ on feeling shit in a posh hotel rather than cosying up at home with chocolate and films and accepting that grief and Christmas are very close companions.
I'd probably spend it on a nicer holiday at another time, seeing as you'll get more for your money outside the Christmas period. Maybe something like a place your Dad lived or spent time when he was young, or the setting of a film or song he liked.
Sorry you've had a shit year OP. X

Oh that’s a shame they were doing it really well.

I would do it 100%

Go. Hubby and I used to go away every other Christmas and still cherish the memories. iIs something you've always wanted to do and will help you look after yourself. The world wont end because you do one expensive thing in your life.

£1800 is a lot for 3 nights. You can probably get a 7 night stay abroad in a high-end hotel over Xmas for that if you book closer to the time.

Do it, it sounds magical. When my mum suddenly died I booked an all inclusive 5 star holiday for a couple months after and although I was sad most of the time, it was a way of moving forward. Do what you need to do.