Going away at Christmas

[hopeishere]

Has anyone ever gone away over Christmas? DH has fallen out with his brother and sister. So It looks like it would just be the four of us for Christmas day.

I've been toying with the idea of going somewhere self catering overChristmas Day. But I wonder if when I get there, I would rather just be in my own home!

I’ve dithered over this for years, and never actually done it. It has the potential to be a bit miserable if the accommodation isn't top notch and if you spend the whole time just cooking in a strange kitchen. If I do go away for Christmas I want to be in a hotel somewhere lovely. But we have a dog so its unlikely.

We went to Portugal for Xmas. It was wonderful.

Spent most of December and the first week of Jan in Thailand over Christmas a couple of years ago and it was absolutely bloody wonderful. We’ve never spent Christmas away in this country but I think it could be lovely in the right place, and with the right people.

I have done it a few times and have had a wonderful time, maybe because I live in London and we choose places in the countryside or by the sea. All the places we have been have put up a christmas tree and I take fairy lights. It takes a bit of planning, I make the vegetarian option, pudding, cake beforehand and take a few of my own kitchen gadgets, but I have always managed to cook a full dinner & I choose places with a dish washer. Or book in advance at a restaurant/pub. Then we can walk out somewhere lovely.

I've booked Christmas in a cottage in north Yorkshire this year and am really looking forward to it. I didn't think the others would be up for it but apparently we've all always fancied it. So we're doing it, we're doing nibbles & snacks rather than the big dinner, and if we hate it - it's only a few days. If we hate it that much, we can just pack the car and go home... 😂

I have come out in a cold sweat at the thought of not being here for Christmas!
I have been planning all year, and will be crafting, and decorating early in the month.
I once went away for the 1st 2 weeks of Dec, I was like a thing possessed when I got back.

Last year we had a burst pipe at the resovoir 4 days before Christmas - no water. Came back on on 23rd. Phew

We went to Ghent one year over Xmas. Stayed on a canal barge in the centre of the city. Was such a lovely and relaxed Xmas. We cooked our own Xmas dinner on the barge and spent Xmas eve at the fairs

DH and I are both from very small families, so usually go away over Christmas, just for a few days. We either pick a nice hotel with a Christmas package, or book a cottage near to a good pub that offers Christmas lunch!

Agree it could feel a bit miserable. I'd want to bring the dog so it would need to be self catering. But the thought of sorting a big shop or delivery for a rental doesn't appeal.

I have only ever gone away to stay with family. However, why not if it is the four of you, and it is near enough that you can come home if for some reason it turns out to be somehow not for you.

You won’t know unless you try OP!

We've done a log cabin thing at Christmas just the three of us, we really enjoyed it, it was quite remote, hot tub, wood burning stove, we didn't have to be anywhere, go visiting etc, it was lovely. Have booked a cottage on the coast this year, I'm really looking forward to it

I did this last Christmas and it was the most enjoyable Christmas ever. All inclusive so didn't need to think about shopping or cooking and it was warmer than I expected. My kids loved it and still talk about it all the time.

@jimbort was it a hotel break?

Oh do it! We spent many Christmases in Mousehole in Cornwall when my DCs were little. Rented a cottage in the village. Christmas lights are fabulous in the harbour - it’s so special.

Last year we went to Anglesey with our dog and it was great. Also been to the fish hotel but didn’t enjoy the long meals as it was hard to keep our dog occupied

I've done it for many years. There was only the three of us and now only 2 of us. It can be wonderful but do bear in mind that location is everything. You don't want to pick somewhere in the middle of the "wild moors". It's best to choose a small coastal or pretty country town where you've got amenities (pub, off licence and delicatessen!) in walking distance. Also somewhere that's likely to have really good festive lights. I always book Christmas Day lunch in a pub/restaurant near to where I'm staying. I usually take a boiled ham and bits for boxing day but just pick up other goodies locally, which in itself can be fun.

Just noticed you've got a dog, so might want to cook yourself Christmas Day. No worries, it's perfectly doable. Try it, you might never look back!

One year we went somewhere hot and it just wasn't Christmas!
Unless going to my sisters in the US I'd prefer to be at home (and then it's just the three of us as I'm a widow).

Ooh I'd absolutely love to go somewhere hot and do something completely different. I love Christmas, love the build up etc but with everyone older now the food is inhaled in mins and off doing their own thing. Every year we have the usual family disagreements about who's visiting, who's staying and I end up with people crammed in. It was great for years and fun but god I'd love to go to a really fancy hotel, best food, hot weather, and just something different. Unfortunately dhs job prevents us doing anything.

I've spent Christmas at centre parcs many times and it's a lovely way to spend the holidays. The park is all decorated and they have lots of stuff going on. Well worth it.

So many hotels are dog friendly now, we go away with our dog to hotels often.