What have you booked for Christmas so far?

[chrissysmusts]

I'm a Christmas lover and love all things Christmas so far we have booked;

A centre parks Christmas weekend
Ice skating
The local pantomime
Christmas markets another weekend
A visit to Santa and a Santa train
A family dinner at a local hotel that does a great roast.
My workplace family Christmas celebration

What have you booked...looking for any other ideas to add in!!
I'm so excited!

going to see the Nutcracker in Edinburgh just before Christmas.

I've kept costs down by booking early for some events. Panto was £20 for three of us as we are going mid week afternoon during the first week of release.

I've spread the cost as I have booked events as they have been released, as I have certain dates I can do due to work etc.

Due to age gap DS both won't go to everything. They will enjoy the things booked, I wouldn't book if I didn't think they would. Its me who will be busiest between FT work etc however I will of bought and wrapped all presents before December 1st so we can enjoy our time together and with family/friends.

Booked a (reasonably budget) santa train and the theatre to see Stick Man. Will also book a Christmas trail at a country park and possibly go to a local EH site if they do something.

Pretty much got one thing booked or will book each weekend in December which I don't think is massively excessive.

And I follow these places on Facebook, so just book (or keep an eye on availability as with the country park trail) when the tickets become available 🤷‍♀️

For those who have missed out, would recommend following places you're interested in on social media because then you'll know when they release the tickets.

I've booked to see the lights at the local zoo £55. Didn't realise that to see the animals it's an extra £40. Not bad but it's a lot altogether.

@70isaLimitNotaTarget

I'm just waiting for posters to mention buying all the Christmas Eve Hamper/December 1st Hamper ( I do Dec 1st here) items and getting the

Christmas Eve Hampers? More tat ? Is this A THING now type replies .

Answer: No , it isn't A Thing . It's something some people like to do .
My DC need pyjamas/underwear/robes/socks . Why not make it part of a tradition to do this as part of a Christmas Box.
Christmas Eve Hampers were part of it when they were little to get them settled and ready to sleep.
Just like some adults will sit with a glass of wine .

So wether someone likes to do days out , pantomime, looking at lights ...or do Sweet Fuck All . Their choice

My Mum was of the SFA camp so I made a choice to be different when I had DC .

Me too. My mum couldn’t have been arsed to do anything, no Christmas spirit in our house. I’ll do everything I can to make it fun for my dd, some of these sarky comments are awful.

@rainbowstardrops

Absolutely zilch. I didn't even know it was a 'thing' to book loads of Christmas activities. It must be bloody draining and expensive

You have never done any xmas activity?

Never taken your kids to see santa?
had a xmas meal in a restaurant?
Gone to a pantomime or show?
seen the lights?

Sounds a little sad to be honest, you don't have to spend a fortune and book loads (like I said we refused the Santa train because it was nearly £90, some prices are insane... I have seen places charging 3 month olds £20 just to sit on Santa knee which is crazy) but pretty much everyone I have ever known does SOMETHING even if it's just the free santa at the shopping center, the local light switching on or a meal with family.

@Louise5754

I've booked to see the lights at the local zoo £55. Didn't realise that to see the animals it's an extra £40. Not bad but it's a lot altogether.

How do you see the lights but not the animals if it's at the zoo?

We have booked
-Santa steam train (that I booked in may!)
-Alton towers for the lightopia show
-local panto
-London palladium panto
-carols at a local venue that’s ticket only
-Manchester markets with DP
-local markets with friends
-Christmas cinema with ds
-bottemless brunch

• works curry
• panto (again!) with the girls followed by cocktails

So absolutely loads which I hadn’t really realised till i have just written it down 🙈

@mam0918

I think that night the zoo closes just before the lights come on around the park?

@Louise5754

"@mam0918

I think that night the zoo closes just before the lights come on around the park?"

Zoos have light and lantern events, Chester zoo near me has an amazing lantern event.

Eg www.chesterzoo.org/events/the-lanterns-at-chester-zoo/

The animal are asleep when you go at night

Girls night away in Glasgow (shopping, cocktails, dinner/brunch and more cocktails then home)
Weekend in Aviemore with the family
Santa visit to grandparents house with cousins
Edinburgh Christmas market/dinner in The Dome
Panto
Christmas party with old uni pals
Festive afternoon tea with friends and children
Christmas Eve meal with friends and children

Kids are still pretty little (just turned 2 and 4), so we're doing manageable things:
-- Santa visit at local farm park
-- Blenheim palace and light trail (with grandparents to man mark 😁)
-- school Christmas fair
-- local town market and Santa parade thing through the streets
-- crib service

That's enough in my mind!

Ooh rogue strikeout there!

What is centre parcs like at Christmas? Is it a must do for the kids?

Is center parcs cheaper in the winter as there are less activities?

I’ve been to Centerparcs at Christmas and it’s lovely, so magical. It’s so expensive though to go in December/Christmas/new year because they do a winter wonderland.

A trip to a Christmas market
A Christmas party
A Christmas gossip and wine night
A Christmas pub dinner somewhere
A church service the week before sometime
A homemade Christmas afternoon tea and cocktails

@didireallysaythat

Is center parcs cheaper in the winter as there are less activities?

It's definitely not cheaper! Although some of the activities don't run in the winter, they have their winter wonderland running and have lots of festive activities such as Santa visits, stocking decorating, wreath making, etc.

@maddening

The animal are asleep when you go at night

Then how do you pay more to see them... do they go poke them with a stick and say 'this woman paid £40 more so wake up but don't let anyone else see you' lol.

I can't imagine animals fall asleep on cue, they don't have magic off buttons.

I know places like Flamingoland do the winter walk-through (and Halloween ones etc...) just as the zoo which is one price and then often more to enter the rides area but the animals are included (we did it for new year once).

Any Snowdome at Tamworth reviews?

@maddening

The animal are asleep when you go at night

I meant you can go earlier in the day to see the animals then the lights at 5.

Anyone?

Panto