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?

Loved my Christmas in India 22 years ago 😍

If you really aren't bothered about all the festive fuss try flying out or in on Christmas Day. It keeps the cost down and avoids the worst of the airport crowds.

I could’ve written your post word for word. Everyone else seems to have had a wonderful time! 🙄
Each year I make the statement that ‘next year I’m going away for Christmas’ - with varied degrees of intention. This year, I couldn’t be more serious…

It has been very warm for the last couple of days. We got here Friday 26th It was sunny then, Saturday was nice. Sunday cloudy but still warm it's mid to high 70s😎

That’s a good idea.

I agree
Flying on Christmas Day is great. Preferably Need to be self drive at the other end in case of delays but otherwise it is an affordable day to travel and everyone tends to be in good spirits with the added plus of not so busy travel hubs.

Ive been looking at cornish coast all in hotel breaks all in 300 quid a night two nights 3rd free rough dramatic coast line cosy room now loads of adds for similar fill my fb feed. Its like p*rn

I downed tools after a stressful Christmas and too much hosting, thinking, buying and cooking for other people last year.

This year we’ve been in Australia with our four DTeens and couldn’t have had more fun. Zero stress, loads of sun, time with family and friends out here, boats, beaches and no stupid crowds everywhere, buying crap we don’t need or squabbling because everyone is stressed.

Exams mean we won’t make it away long haul but will probably book my parents into a nice hotel near us and all go there for Christmas lunch.

Highly recommend going away, or at least opting out of the stressful bits.

Tell the ‘everyone’s against it’ that that’s fine but next year if you don’t go away you won’t be giving or receiving any presents nor will you be cooking or cleaning. They can sort themselves out.

If your MIL dies nothing then she has no say. Why give her opinion any weight?!

I love going away for xmas . All inclusive no cooking no cleaning, someone else to make your bed ! I hate how commercialised it is here.

Flying on Christmas Day is great. Preferably Need to be self drive at the other end

Yeah, not sure it works if you rely on public transport. We flew on Xmas Day and the plane was maybe two thirds full and we were able to move seats for more space. Short queues at passport control. Only problem was we hadn't realised the monorail at BHX wasn't working on Dec 25th (no notices on the way out!) so we needed an expensive taxi to get back to our car. I presume if you're in a regular airport car park the shuttle bus is working. Roads not busy for the drive home - fab.

What about going away after Christmas? That’s what I would love to do. Head somewhere on the 27th, I could get through Christmas with a treat on the horizon!

I feel like I’ve been in a hamster wheel of hosting and cooking.

I don’t actually mind but every year by 1st Jan I’m mentally and physically exhausted, snappy with everyone and just want to lie in a dark room in my own!!!!

Christmas we have a full house, fortunate that I can accommodate everyone. My mum, aunt, sister & husband.
My husband is very good and everyone offers to help but it is largely on me. My sisters parting words were it’s been so relaxing 🤦‍♀️

NYE as a glutton for punishment we host DH family and it’s easy, I just shove stuff in the oven and once thats done I let them clear up.

Although I now can’t face planning or thinking of another meal even to feed my own family.
To add insult to injury last night my brother in law offered to cook dinner for his other brother and family today!!!
I was in the middle of chucking an M&S buffet out the oven …. I was a bit like wtf!!!!
I’d have loved a meal cooked by someone else today!!!!

DH decided last night that we also need to go “somewhere else” next Christmas - I will be burnt out from a 6 month project just finishing and we’ve had a few s**t Christmases in recent years so he just wants to get fully away. And while the apartment is available - I definitely will want to leave it too.

I suggested somewhere snowy that there is skiing…he said that I (Biddy) hate skiing so why would we do that…I actually enjoyed skiing the one year we went, I just had an accident that meant I was off the slopes for 2 days (but still did the nursery slopes on my own, practising what I could).

This year was not the worst, but definitely very restricted due to DD illness (currently wheelchair bound) and DH feeling trapped here by a lot of things. But we still had a quiet but nice time. Far better than some we’ve had.

Tell them you’re going regardless of whether they are or not…

One year we booked a cottage for a week over Christmas in a beautiful Cornish village.. balcony hanging over the water. We took Christmas food etc and the owner had decorated beautifully. I’ve never done it again because of elderly, needy parents, but am now finally free and hoping to go again.

DD plays in a brass band so the run up to Christmas is very busy indeed.
DS will be in his approach to A levels next year, and would rather not go away.
My plan is:
Everyone gets cheques/bank transfers.
We graze cheese, bread and “party food” on Christmas Day.
We go out for a turkey dinner on Boxing Day.

I am with you. Next year I am hibernating.

This year I catered for 12. All stayed here. Various different relatives. Did all the buying, cooking, catering, entertaining. I did actually really enjoy it.

But the BIL's comment about not being as keen on M&S wheat biscuits as he was on weetabix was the straw.

Xmas Eve supper, Xmas Day breakfast and lunch, Boxing day breakfast, lunch and supper, 27th breakfast and lunch. All the food, crackers, table presents. bedrooms cleaned and decorated and his only comment was he didnt like the f'ing weetabix!

Sod them all next year. I am going away!

Just reviving this thread to say we have done it….! Booked a ten day cruise to Canaries, Portugal and Morocco over the Christmas period so no hosting for us this year for the first time. We hosted non-stop from the 20th to 2nd Jan this year, and while vey sociable and fun, spent a fortune and didn’t have time to relax. Looking forward to no shopping, cooking, tidying and meal planning and spending time just the 4 of us (and the 2000 others on the ship 😂)!

I’m very keen to do this too!

I hear you!

Out of the 48 Christmases that I've had since I married, only 5 have been ones where I haven't hosted a traditional Christmas Day.

The 3 happiest Christmases for me were the ones when we were away on holiday over Christmas and had sandwiches on the beach instead of a Christmas dinner. Mind you, I still had to make all the sandwiches!

I've been away for Christmas several times over the years and it's great. I can't these days because of pet care, but we do go out for Christmas Day and Boxing Day lunch. We just have a nice cheese board on those evenings at home. It's so much better and really something lovely to look forward to.

Xmas day lunch can be hundreds of pounds though and it isn't usually very nice. Resentful staff, ludicrous prices, poor food.

I know there can be bad experiences but we've been incredibly lucky. I always choose independent restaurants rather than chains or pubs which I think helps and the staff have always been wonderful. In fact they add to the vibe. For the past 3 years we've been to one particular restaurant which charges £78.00 for 5 courses including a glass of champagne with your meal and a dessert wine with the cheese board. If you add up what you'd spend at home and factor in the time spent shopping, prepping and cooking I personally think it's value for money. But I do appreciate that if you have a large family and/or are on a tight budget, it isn't feasible.