Different Traditions, Two Families together? Can it work?

[KingsX]

My cousin and I have same-age kids. They live the other side of the world but want us to stay for next Xmas - being so far away we'd have to go for at least three weeks if not more - and staying at their home.
I have several other cousins also there in the same area so can break up the stay a bit with a night or two at other people's homes, as I am a bit concerned about staying with so many kids and outstaying our welcome! (My cousin isn't, and wants us to stay with her the whole duration. The other cousins have older children (10/13/16).)

I go all out for December - Advent Box, Elf On The Shelf, new PJs on Xmas Eve - they don't! Do you think it could work? I don't really want to pare down as I don't know how my kids would understand that Elfy isn't up to his usual tricks one year, etc.
(Kids will be aged 2-8 next Xmas.)

If you are concerned about questioning your sons belief, how will santa bring big presents if that’s what he asks for next year? I personally would wait for a different time of the year when there is no extra pressures to go long haul especially when they are young. Santa is such a short time frame.

We stayed with my grandparents the other side of the world for six weeks at Christmas when I was a kid, had a great time. I remember finding it so weird seeing people going and collecting Christmas trees with t-shirt, shorts and no shoes because it was so hot! And going swimming in the sea on Christmas day. Oh and you can't see fairy lights on the tree as too sunny

Seems like the elf idea is something important to your ds. How about asking your cousin how they'd feel about an elf arriving with you for the time you're staying at their house? I'd make it a different elf to your usual one so you can leave it there. Obviously would have to ask your cousin first but they could be interested in introducing it to their Xmas.?

I’m a bit confused. Are you Australian ( assuming that’s where we’re talking about)? I’m checking because if you are this is going to sound massively patronising as you know already, but from my 3 Christmases in Australia the thing that’s struck me is that it is much much more contained than in UK so if you are an ‘all out’ Christmas person I think it will be really hard to match that just because the ‘background’ won’t be there, even if you import your traditions. I would therefore be tempted to go the other way, totally embrace the minimalism and enjoy the day as a tiny part of a fantastic summer trip.

However... tbh I think this is all secondary to spending 3 weeks in a small house ( are you going to all share a bedroom?) with a combined 6+ children. That is going to be a absolute nightmare.

With the elf on the shelf could you just do it early? For a couple if weeks before you go? He could arrive with a note saying he has come early because he knows you are away at Christmas and then the day you go he could leave treats to enjoy on the flight?

Thanks, All.
Nothing is booked, nothing is arranged at all - I was just testing the waters and asking if people thought it could work - because I am concerned it will be tricky.

I am not Australian, but have spent three Christmases there as an adult - just none with my own kids. I spent two with my other cousin who has the older children, when their kids were young, but now I am a mother myself and started all sorts of Xmas traditions with my own, it's more important to me to make their Christmases special and keep the traditions (else what is the point of traditions?). But I also like the idea of all the kids together.

They have a big house but only one spare bedroom. We also have options to stay with other cousins for a break! But this one cousin is the only one whose kids are the same ages as mine, and she is the one that suggested we go over. Though the other cousins have been pushing for us to visit for ages.

For me traditions are important but I think it's ok to pause one year for a new experience, children will remember general traditions over the years, you don't need to worry about them. I think trying to bring traditions to another country and house may fall flat and feel forced and quite stressful for the hosts. I'd be stressed if my guests kids had big Xmas Eve Boxes and my kids had nothing. Relax a year or maybe go after Xmas. But you mention Christmas being special, the experience of Xmas on Australia would be really special and won't dilute their other UK Xmas memories. I feel like singign that tradition song from fiddler on the roof.