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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Has anyone been to center parcs for actual Christmas?

21 replies

Ouchmyheadhurts · 30/07/2019 10:42

Trying to decide what to do. It’s just me and dc.... have booked the weekend before Xmas but keep wondering about doing the actual week of Christmas Monday to Friday.... we love center parcs and go each year. Just wondered what it’s like? It’s of course a lot more expensive but wondering if we should do it as a one off? Get away from other people here at home (family basically).

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NerosFiddle · 30/07/2019 20:22

Not done it but would love to. So following along.

OhioOhioOhio · 30/07/2019 20:30

I'm on my own too. I think it's a great idea. But what about all of the presents?

Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 30/07/2019 20:31

We went a couple of days after Xmas last year and loved it. Iv done before Xmas before but never actual Xmas! Doesn’t sound like it shuts down much. I asked when I was there at the weekend and they said the supermarket is only thing shut on Xmas day. The pool is shorter hours shutting at 7 instead of 9 and the activities usually are only the afternoon....

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Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 30/07/2019 20:31

I was thinking about presents..... I might do a mini Xmas before we go and give presents and then take main present?

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MaverickSnoopy · 30/07/2019 20:34

My friend used to go away at Christmas and would courier the presents.

Poshishchap · 30/07/2019 20:35

We've done it, kids loved it. Everything stays open, I think pool shuts early. We visited the Longleat park. Felt very Christmas'y with artificial snow in trees. Because of the cost we didn't do many gifts.

Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 30/07/2019 20:54

Yes I was thinking that about the cost, I did explain that to dc. I may even start collecting gifts to spread the costGrin

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TheWoollybacksWife · 30/07/2019 22:11

I've been for actual Christmas Xmas Grin

We went when my youngest was just coming up to his 6th birthday and I also had 2 teenagers. We took our presents with us but none of them were particularly huge so easily hidden. I also took everything food wise for our Christmas dinner plus a couple of sharp knives and an extra roasting tin.

The lodge had a real Christmas tree in the lounge area and a wreath on the door provided by CP. I wish I'd taken some baubles and some lights - it looked a bit bare.

We visited Santa on Christmas Eve (had to book in advance) and watched the pantomime on Boxing Day (again booked in advance).

The public areas are filled with fairy lights and Christmas music is played.

It was an eye watering amount of money for a few days but it was very special. My DDs want us to go again but everyone is too old for Santa and I'm not sure I'd enjoy it as much without the magic.

Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 31/07/2019 07:03

My dc are ‘too old’ for father Xmas etc and wouldn’t go to the panto as we book a specific one at home after Xmas.

The appeal to me is being away from my ‘family’ at home. We would be away therefore they can’t be annoying.... I just can’t work out if the extra huge amounts of money were worth it or not! Sensible brain says no due to money, heart is saying do it as we’ve never done it as who knows what next year brings!

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TheWoollybacksWife · 31/07/2019 08:04

Is it the extra activities at CP that appeal rather than just being away? I looked earlier in the year and compared it to booking a cottage - I can get a week in a cottage with a hot tub in the Yorkshire Dales for a third of the price of a midweek stay at CP.

FraggleRocking · 31/07/2019 08:12

I’ve not done Christmas week but I’ve done New Years and the staff really make the extra effort. It was brilliant. Fireworks over the lake. Decorations everywhere. Extra activities available. A friend of mine has done Christmas and loved it. Only thing is you have to really plan apparently is how you’ll cook the dinner as the facilities aren’t the same as at home obviously. She went with another family and they both took slow cookers to help things along.

Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 31/07/2019 13:52

One of my dc is autistic and CP is the only place he feels safe at (other than home) so we go every yeAr as despite me being knackered I know it won’t result in a meltdown as he knows the place inside out etc etc otherwise yes I know what I could get for the same money, but alternative isn’t really an option.

As it’s just us their cooker would suffice, I know they take longer than my oven at home so would just plan longer to cook? I wouldn’t need a slow cooker etc....

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PamelaTodd · 31/07/2019 17:56

Has your ds been to CP around Christmas before? Just wondering if the changes for Christmas (lights, decorations) or even the colder weather might be too strange?

Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 31/07/2019 19:01

Yes he has. We went last year a couple of days after Xmas day. We love it. We prefer the dark as we go what we call ‘midnight swimming’ which is basically going down the rapids in the dark Grin I bit the bullet and booked this afternoon!!!!

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FurryTurnipHead · 31/07/2019 19:05

Yes, we loved it. DS was about 4, it was great. We had his grandparents with us too, so Xmas day was lovely. We did a M&S 'bung it in the oven' Xmas Dinner, then spent most of the day in the pool. Would do it again in a second, just can't afford it at moment!

TheWoollybacksWife · 31/07/2019 19:19

We loved the swimming in the dark too. Hope you enjoy your break 🎄

Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 31/07/2019 19:49

Yes I’m thinking of that type of things ‘bung It in the oven’ type. As it’s just us I won’t need massive oven etc so that’s good!

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PamelaTodd · 31/07/2019 23:30

Yes he has. We went last year a couple of days after Xmas day. We love it

That’s great then! I think it sounds like a wonderful idea.

CPXMAS · 03/08/2019 20:56

Oooh, which one are you going to?

We'll be at Longleat for mon-fri of xmas week Smile

AreWeNearlyThereYetAgain · 03/08/2019 22:10

We did it and enjoyed it. Longleat as well.

Original poster
Ouchmyheadhurts · 04/08/2019 09:28

We will be at elvedon. Christmas wonderland is my favourite time to go although I enjoy summer without having to try to pack in coats and boots etc in the pool lockers Grin

I can’t wait now. Glad I booked it.

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