I want to go away next Christmas and do no planning, no shopping, no stress

[Florally]

It wasn’t a bad Christmas, in fact, all pics, experiences and reviews from attendees would probably say it was a great Christmas.

But I’m so tired, I kind of don’t see the point. Spending thousands of pounds (I would imagine if I added it up) and a hamster wheel of cooking, clearing, dishwasher, dishwasher, dishwasher, tidying, start again for dessert, start again for tea.

I just want to go somewhere where they make Christmas dinner and maybe there’s some entertainment or something in the evening.

Everyone is against this of course 😂

Am I wrong?

It’s all a bit ‘what’s the point’ isn’t it?

We just got home from butlins Skegness on Saturday, just me and my 6 year old daughter. No cooking as had meals included, constant entertainment, no pressure could just do as we please, no housework and left all my rubbish and packaging from toys etc behind- will do it again! 😆

I booked it all myself . Stayed at this hotel and it was fabulous! https://www.monroc.it/
Hot outdoor pool -
swimming in the snow !
Highly recommend. We ski every year but normally in January. But January didn’t suit my eldest two this year due to university commitments.

Yep we did it, went away for the whole week. Swerved it all, didn't cook a thing, bought presents for my kids and no one else, just enjoyed being with my children, no stress!! Came back, rested and content, highly recommend!!!

This! Everybody I seemed to speak to this year said that the week before Xmas just didn't feel like Christmas and I just think like you say that the hype starts too early and we're all sick of it by the time it gets here! I feel like I need more than a 9 month break between one Christmas and the next! I saw a lot of people grumbling online that not many houses decorated for Halloween but I think that's because the shops were full of Christmas by end Sept and it kind of pushes Halloween out!

My partner and I went on a 4 night trip to Hamburg on Nov 27th and it was lovely and I enjoyed the German Xmas markets more than Christmas itself, we don't have kids, we don't have lots of family anymore, my widowed mum & aunt prefer a quite Xmas day together, we end up having an anti climax of a day with mother in law and her partner.
I'm more excited for my holiday off to watch warmer climes at the end of Jan than I was for Xmas.

I speak to so many people that feel like this including myself, it's like the over the top hyoe has ruined Xmas for a lot of people! We get about 9.5 months before the Christmas hype starts appearing again! It's an anti climax when something that's just one day event is so over hyped.

I just watched a YouTube video of a couple who went to Benidorm for Christmas, it actually exceeded my expectations, cheap flights, mild weather, nice food and very quiet. The sea was bitterly cold but that wouldn't bother me. Very tempted for next year.

We've booked Seville for Easter for a week for my partner's birthday and realised that a lot of Catholic processions will be going on do could be interesting crowdwise 😁

Yes we watched a couple do that - Steve Marsh's channel. I think I'd definitely enjoy that more than being at home - to get the extended daylight and pleasant weather to have some good walks and then have a great evening of food and wine ☺️

We went away this year, it was a lovely cottage, in the middle of the countryside, hot tub to watch the sunset/stars but…..
i was so stressed with all the packing, taking enough food/booze, had to drive to the nearest m&s Christmas eve to collect the food order.
The kitchen was great but had to spend time reading up on different equipment,
I cook over the Christmas time-DH cooks mainly throughout the year, shift work opportunity
Our “children”are now 26 ( although has a young outlook on life due to the dyspraxia ) 23 and 15 but they all love the Christmas time, bit calmer with gifts,
I think to go away needs everyone having good health, no cooking! Not alot of intense packing, I can imagine Hotels are very expensive, fingers crossed for a massive lottery win.

My folks did that for years. They spent the winter in alicante and did a 3or4 day package to benidorm for Christmas. They had a ball. Everything laid on and still a lovely Christmas Mass etc.
Perfect for 70 somethings who just done want to peel a potato over the hols.

I don’t think I even really felt festive, this year! Just went through the motions.

13 & 14 and I do value their opinions just Christmas is an easy time to get a week or so off with minimal use of annual leave! And it also avoids all the usual faff of Christmas. But mostly no-one feels the stress but me, so why would they want to go away?!

My lovely husband died suddenly November 2024. Christmas was grim. I booked a holiday back in April. Last night tonight, home tomorrow. It has been brilliant. Posh hotel in las palmas. Myself and 2 adult sons. Slept. Watched films sat on bed. Room service for meals. Lazed in the spa and by the pool. Excactly what we needed. Although already planning next year cooking for 12. I love Christmas always have but this year so glad we changed things. Excactly what we all needed.

I love Christmas but I’ve had these same thoughts. Mostly because most of the planning and preparation falls to me.

Plus my job is incredibly stressful at the moment. I think that’s the main issue.

I have a child with so many allergies that it makes eating out very difficult - we always host so that she can enjoy Christmas with us properly.

DH would also not be up for it. We always host his family too but because I no longer have parents to invite I would be happy it were just the 4 of us and no family - which I know sound so selfish of me.

But it’s hard work. Covid was the most relaxed I’ve ever been.

And I say this as someone who loves to host and make people feel welcome and spoiled.

I think you missed the point 🙂.

The idea is to go away (just the two of you, plus DC if necessary). Mum doesn't get a vote😃

My DP and I go to Tenerife every Christmas. It's nice, very chilled - and everyone knows we always do it so there's no arguments.

Me too. I haven’t mentioned it yet as I don’t want to feel like I’m insulting DP’s family, but the whole thing was underwhelming and expensive. My DD was working too so I was just like… why am I here?

Next year I plan on proposing going away for Christmas (I’ll be mentioning it around April or so) and offer to be responsible for all the presents so I can get it easily out of the way. DP was way too overwhelmed wanting to please everyone and their mum.

It has been a dream of mine for years to be on an Oz beach, with a BBQ for Xmas day. Sigh! Go for it OP.

We went away to a resort in Scotland last Christmas. Best thing ive done! Christmas dinner in the restaurant, but we were able to stay in the lodge Christmas eve, and for breakfast. Hot tub, no dishes, no cooking, no stress. My kids are young adults now, 5 of us, was great. Do it.

We are away right now for Xmas and NY in the Dominican Republic at an all inclusive resort. It's lovely. There was enough nonsense going on for kids (meet Santa, parties etc.) and a tolerable dinner, but no effort and mostly sun and relaxing. It might be my new thing so I quite recommend it.

We’ve been a few times with Alpine Elements, Alpoholics and Will I Ski

This time we went to La Plagne.

Ha, everyone is happy but the workers! Mine are a little older (will be 19 & 20 next year) and I have finally convinced them and DH we should go away next year.

Hi op let me guess the ones you wait on don’t want there cook not taking care of them. I’m sorry but I would not be asking just do it. Op so many people please others for Christmas rather than please themselves life is too short to keep everyone happy for what 48hrs just do you.

I had a good Christmas this year. We took turns to cook, and it was far more relaxing. I didn’t peel a single potato or stack a dishwasher, although I cooked or supported half the meals.

Me too. I’m done with the it It’s all for other people, I get nothing out of it but exhaustion.

Mums revolt. We should all down tools next year and just say NO. Better for the environment too. This year was weirdly manic. Would be amazing to scale Christmas right back to how it should be. The beneficiaries of our labour would survive. Kids would probably be happier to have less stressed more present parents not running round catering for visitors.