Going away for Christmas

[fliptheswitch]

I apologise if this is the wrong section. I wasn't sure if it was more suited to 'Family' or 'Travel'.

Has anyone ever been away for Christmas (abroad), with young children? If so, would you do it again?
I know it's still six months away, but I was given some holiday vouchers as a gift and have just realised they need to be used soon.
If anyone has done this, and can answer the following questions, it would be very helpful.

*How did you manage with presents? Did you take some with you, or did your children have presents when they got home?

*Were your children disappointed or did they feel like they'd missed out in any way?

*Did you miss 'home' and having the decorations up, seeing loved ones and cooking Christmas dinner?

*Would you do it again?

TIA.

[divegirl]

Tell them [early] that Santa has got them a holiday for Christmas....job done!

Lisa x

[tigwig]

My parents took us all to the Dom Rep last christmas. My kids were 12mths & 6yrs and my sister's 7 & 9.
I took a few pressies for them to open there and told them Santa knew we weren't going to be at home and we wouldn't be able to carry anymore things in the suitcase. That was true obviously! We did however pack up their sacks to they had main pressies at home but if you do want to avoid this then simply tell your kids instead of sending a lot of money to Santa you are going to spend it on a holiday instead! You could always gage a reaction by speaking to them before you book to see what they think. As long as they have something to open I dont think they will mind at all. It was the first time I have ever been away at Christmas and it was fab! Christmas carols playing while you're sunbathing and all the decs up, just like home but hot. I would go for it, it's not something that has to be done every year.