Christmas abroad: has anyone done it

[SalD]

Can't stand the thought of another Christmas in UK and am trying to persuade DH to go abroad. Don't really care where, but don't fancy a long flight. We have two girls, aged almost 2 and 7. Has anyone done Christmas overseas...if so, where? What was it like? Does anyone have any suggestions?

We did ski-ing at Christmas a couple of times when I was young - my brother and I loved it especially as the tradition was to open pressies on Christmas eve - I can remember the excitement now!

Plus somewhere like an Austrian ski resort is great - picture perfect chalets/white christmas etc. 2 probably too young for the ski-ing but there may be creches.

Only stayed with MIL in Ireland, but are considering florida next christmas.

Be careful going skiing for Christmas though. There won't necessarily be much snow around and skiing could be a bit limited, with lifts not fully open, but busy. European countries tend to make more of New Year than Christmas as a celebration. dh and I did New England one year and it was lovely.

I've skiied in Heavenly in California one Christmas pre kids - was great - empty slopes and lots of snow. Then went out and had a nice meal. Is a long flight though.

We went to Egypt in the early hours of Boxing day. It was 27 degrees and we lay by the pool for a week.

We had our christmas dinner in a hotelo near gatwick, all very low key.

We had new Year in egypt and they make a huge effort.
I would do it againlike a shot. The kids LOVED it too

Can't suggest any locations as we've always done the "big Family" thing at Christmas but I really don't fancy it this year. I have this vision of a cosy log cabin, crisp snowy weather, sleigh rides mulled wine etc etc (DH would probably add black run skiing to this list but DC are 2 a nd 5 yrs old and the idea of leaving them in childcare doesn't really appeal to me, I think they would protest loudly) I don't have a massive budget but does anyone know anywhere that might offer this type of holiday.