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.

[redcrx]

how old are the children?
Ive visited family at christmas and we took some presents and santa delivered a lot to the house for when we got home.

[joggerjayne]

I sometimes spent Christmas abroad with my parents when I was little.

I loved it.

[fliptheswitch]

Children are both under eleven, so youngsters.
I did think about having loads of presents waiting when we came back home, but my other reason for going away at Christmas was to save some money, so doing this would be pointless.
I've found a holiday to The Canaries, where the weather is supposed to be quite nice at that time of year, but I'm in two minds whether or not to book it, as I don't want them to be disappointed.

[sherrardk]

Before we had children we would spend Christmas with our parents (mine one year, his the next). When we had children we decided that Christmas would be spent at home and even if we had the money for a holiday I wouldn't go away at Christmas as I think it would confuse my children (not the eldest who is nearly 11). I would go away at Christmas if they were older though.

[boxtops]

My sister lived in the Middle East when her children were in primary school - they used to take a Christmas tree down to the beach and have a barbecue. Some of the resorts will have a Christmas theme (a lot of people go away for Christmas these days to save having to cook), but do be warned, Christmas week can be very expensive, it counts as a high season in some of the resorts. Flights can be dearer too, worth checking out first if you are not buying a package deal.

[fliptheswitch]

I have checked out the travel websites, and found a few suitable packages.
Although it's expensive, I still reckon it's far less than what I would normally spend on presents and food!
I think it would be great to come back to the UK and for the whole thing to be over, I just don't want the kids to feel as though they've missed out.

[ummmm]

It's Christmas....it's a commercial con.

Do they believe in Santa?

[fliptheswitch]

I agree. I spent an absolute fortune last year and I know I won't be able to do so this time round.
Yes, they believe in Santa, which makes it all the more difficult.

[boxtops]

You can still take the stockings and the small gifts with you - they can write to Santa before you leave, giving him the new address.

[ummmm]

Tell them Santa is skint. Learning they can't always get what they want is also a valuable lesson. Then they won't be disappointed and feel like they have missed out...

I am anti Christmas.

[puzzled54]

Ask them - usual xmas OR holiday

[fliptheswitch]

Taking stockings is a good idea, but I know if I ask them to "write a list" it will end in the same way.
Lol @ Santa being skint! Maybe that is a good idea though.
I don't want to give them the choice yet, as I don't want to either get their hopes up, or confuse them. Feel like I can't win whatever choice I make.

[ummmm]

Get an older relative to spill the beans and tell them Santa isn't real.

[fliptheswitch]

The eldest said last year that he knew Santa wasn't real. I spent days and days telling him how he was, and that the person who told him this only did so because he was on the naughty list! Lol!
I just want to scale it down.

[237SJ]

Loads of families go away for christmas. Planes are packed with them. I would just take one token present for each and tell them the bulk of their presents will be there when they get back. Don`t wrap the presents you take though. Security might want to open them and your wrapping paper will be ruined.

[boxtops]

Is this your ten year old boy who still believes in Santa, flip?

[fliptheswitch]

See, that's what I want to avoid, that whole "the bulk of your presents will be there when we get back".
They have so many toys, most of which they don't even bother with. If we go away this year, I want it to be so that I can scale the whole thing down and not have to spend so much.

[fliptheswitch]

Yep, that's the one. Well, he says he does.

[ttfn]

Perhaps the solution depends on how your children have been brought up. I would admire you if you managed to scale down your Christmas and remain at home. I feel most children are given too much too easily these days. There is no better gift for your children than your time, attention and love.

[boxtops]

Tell them that instead of buying presents, you are spending the money on a holiday - not many children will be able to go swimming on Christmas Day!