Christmas away?

[Goodluckjonathan76]

We are thinking of joining some friends of ours who go skiing over Christmas week every year. I've been reluctant to do so in the past as thought DSs, 9 and 7, would want to be at home for Xmas but rethinking this year. I love Christmas at home but, on the other hand, it's sort of all over after Xmas lunch on Christmas Day then lots of hanging around after that with the shops closed, nothing going on etc. No family is visiting us this year and the DSCs (14 and 11) are going away with their mum for Xmas. Seems like a good use of holiday time to go then and way way cheaper than the week after or Feb half term. Interested to those who have gone away over Christmas and whether it worked out or felt weird.

I haven't gone away over Christmas, but the idea of going skiing (I'm picturing log cabins and roaring fires, proper snow and hot chocolate!) sounds amazing.

From a practical point of view, may not be able to take many presents with you, so may just need a token gift for your sons?

I'd go for it, it's a different kind of Christmas, but still fun. A couple of years ago we went some where hot, played cricket on the beach with the other hotel guests and had a picnic with champagne for lunch! Our kids were older (early teens) and it's good for them to get used to the idea that Christmas can be bikinis and santa hats, or sweaters and snow and stops them turning into those adults who have to have Christmas exactly the same as when they were children otherwise it's tears and tantrums.

We went away to butlins over Christmas last year, for our honeymoon

it was brilliant. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I wasnt working. There's something very special about waking up on holiday on Christmas morning.

We're going away for Christmas this year (hot)... and I'm still not sure how I feel about it... it's a family trip (DG, parents, brother and partner), very kindly paid for by my parents (after grandparent death and getting over cancer they wanted to get away for Christmas and traditions this year)... I'm hoping the magic of Christmas will be there beforehand as well as being able to enjoy a fantastic holiday. I really don't want to sound ungrateful, I'm so appreciative and looking forward to spending time with my family, however I love Christmas and traditions, I can't quite get my head around not being at home in my pjs, around my Christmas tree and fire eating sausage rolls, mince pies and quality Street on Christmas Eve..... I think I'll either love it or hate it... we'll see!

We've done a number of random places for Christmas (none involving snow), but also with no kids

I love it. Proper relaxation away from the hassles of getting to and from places, shops being shut and/or crazy busy because they'll be shut for 36 hours max, no pressure to cook a Christmas dinner. Actually - I've always ended up making a full dinner when we get home as we always feel slightly short changed, but at least it's when everything is back open properly.

We're doing it for the first time this year in the U.K. though. Kids are 6, they are super excited about it.

We've done it a few times, pre DCs, with young DCs and with teenage DCs.
We love it.
I'd go every year if money allowed.

Just check the snow record of where you're going. Christmas is still very early season for skiing and not totally reliable for snow, otherwise sounds great!