Are you going on any days out this Christmas?

[ChristmasIsComing2024]

We haven’t booked anything yet but I’ve had a look and everything still seems to have loads of availability when this time last year most things were nearly or completely sold out!!

I did think that it probably has a lot to do with the cost of living but we were all struggling last year too so it must be more than that 🤷‍♀️

We have a lot this year but DD is 3 and the only grandchild on both sides and we want to enjoy while she is little. Not all of it is “Christmassy” and some bits are pricey some not:

• Christmas market and dinner with friends and their kids
• Pick a Christmas tree and decorate
• Cinema trip (using free tickets)
• Kids Christmas party (cheap)
• Visit to another city for lunch and look about with GP
• Nursery Christmas concert
• Christmas crafts at country park (cheap)
• Santa visit with grandparents (paid for by GP)
• Local small panto (paid for by other GP)
• Disney on Ice
• Santa in the woods visit
• dinner with GP out at a pub

We have been to 2 free Christmas things already (I know it’s only November) and DD wasn’t keen on either, way too busy. It’s great that these are there- and there are 2 more free events locally for the next two weekends- but I think at this age DD will prefer paid events with less people/ an allocated seat.

Afternoon tea with santa
visit Santa grotto
peter pan panto
Aladdin panto
NYE with Bluey

I think that’s everything. My first Christmas with a few things booked. Most are booked during time off nursery as I wanted to fill that time with activities. I have a 1and 3 year old but 1 year old won’t be at pantos.

We have booked ice skating, a light trail, legoland and tickets for Hansel and Gretel at the globe.
We will probably book a second light trail with my dad for the weekend before Christmas. This is usually sold out by now but when I last looked it had a lot of availability. I’m not surprised as the price has increased and will cost us £145 for an hours entertainment.

Will probably attend the Christmas light switch on (free) and make a day of the Christmas tree decorations. We also do a wintry walk, up to a local point of interest, with hot chocolate and sausage rolls as a reward when we reach the top.

I'm not sure why, but the local panto doesn't start until January every year so I don't factor it in to our Christmas preparation.

DD is quite easily pleased and I think as I've not ever gone all out on paid for stuff for a multitude of reasons, they've not become part of our traditions.

We are going to see a panto my daughters friend is in and going to the polar express as think it may be the last year my youngest is a believer..

Did want to go to a light walk local but it is very expensive.

We live in London, kids 7 and nearly 11.
Panto booked early December.
We'll go for a walk one evening to see the Christmas lights somewhere. We usually go for a chilly walk on the South Bank on Christmas Eve, which might include an activity like the Aquarium or something if the weather not great. We're looking at going to the Battersea Power Station ice skating at some point, and we've booked tickets for the Tim Burton exhibition at the Design Museum. Not christmassy per se but we never get time during school term.

Nope.

The last few Christmas' have resulted in the kids being totally overwhelmed and overstimulated.

I think I was overcompensating from the covid years.

It was just too much, and too commercialised.

We have one Santa visit booked. Other than that will be free stuff. I'm not buying into it anymore.

Didn't do any of the paid for activities when I was a kid and Christmas was still amazing.

We'll go to visit my dad and sister and will do Cardiff Christmas market whilst we're there

Two family visits
A day out for a Christmas lunch in Winchester
A Christmas meal with friends
Winter Wonderland
An evening in the West End looking at lights, drinks and probably China Town takeaway

There’s lots of lovely things on locally but most thing cost a fortune. I refuse to go to the local national trust light display because you can’t get in with your NT membership 🙄, most places are charging £20 per person to get it which is a lot if there’s 3 or 4 of you.

We will go to local Christmas markets and possibly a bigger Christmas market when we visit dd at uni.

The usual.. ice skating, panto, Christmas Eve bowling and Boxing Day beach hut friends and family cold meats and nibbles party - helps to get everyone out for some fresh air!!