'Christmas vs. Summer Holiday' poll results/discussion

Mics_chick

freyasmum wrote: »

I'd give up summer spending long before I'd give up Christmas - it's a magical time, especially for [strike]those with[/strike] kids :A

I love Christmas and with all the codes and offers available, there is no need to spend that much - and children don't need lots of money spent on them for it to feel special anyway, IMO.

I agree FM

It's a no-brainer for me coz I've not got enough money to pay for a holiday anyway and I've not bought presents for Xmas (or birthdays) for any adults including my brother, my parents & in-laws for the last couple of years either but they don't mind coz I was generous when I had money

I only plan to spend £50/60 on each of my 2 kids & about £20/25 on my only nephew and Xmas dinner will be as low cost as possible too

I'm lucky that my parents have paid for a week in a cottage/caravan every year until my dd started school in January this year so we couldn't go in June/September when it's still warm-ish and cheaper...

Also my OH's parents live in Mablethorpe so we can take the kids to the "seaside" there and we can do lots of other activities to make the school summer holidays special as well

My 5yo dd went on and on about wanting to go on a plane this year and I do want to take them sometime but ONLY when I can afford to :A

Dorrie

Don't have holidays so it's not a hard choice for me!

essexgal

There's no way we spend £600 on our summer holiday (we usually stay with friends.....:D ) - and if push came to shove we do have a tent which we could pitch in the back garden.....assuming we have one week of reasonable weather....:rolleyes: + tesco clubcard deals, etc for cheap days out - we could have just as good a summer holiday at home for next to nothing.

Am doing Christmas far more cheaply this year as well - mainly because I've won various things throughout the year, and make homemade gifts/cards, and don't buy to feed half the street - just what we need (not what the advertisers tell us we want....;) )

Am afraid I am becoming more and more anti-consumerist and cynical in my (not-so-old age)

essexgal

teddyco

What about Christmas in Florida? Holiday plus Christmas, problem solved! Also, no fighting over who cooks Christmas dinner this year?

BigMikeyG

I would give up christmas but the mrs. said we had to give up holiday if we had to do one. But we're very lucky not to be in that situation and hopefully won't be *touches wood*. End of the day you could buy a joint present for each other whihc was a holiday for the coming year, therefore you both get a present and a holiday. :-)

harryhound

The reality is that I would cut back on both.
If push really did come to shove, I would WORK through the summer holiday as that is usually 2 - 3 weeks and costs more than Xmas.
The opportunity cost of a 3 week summer holiday is not just the money spent on the holiday but also the money not earned during those three weeks.
For those with an employer, who is forced by law to give you a month's holiday, you have a better chance of earning on your own account in the summer (or possibly in the run up to Xmas).

Sami_Bee

we don't "do" summer holiday - I've never really had one as my parents where short on money when I was growing up, I've never understood how you can justify spending so much money to go abroad to get drunk and sunburnt doesn't appeal to me at all! that said we do enjoy a spot of skiing but we only go every few years as the in laws pay half as we'd never afford it otherwise! so when money's tight its the skiing that would go, but I wouldn't really miss it, I've got family in yorkshire and tyneside who we can visit for a change in the summer, much cheaper and no worrying about getting a dodgy tummy from the water!

chrissyxx

Sadly, we havent had a holiday for 7 years, (I dream of smelling the ocean and sand between my toes again !) but I think Christmas is for children, and they'd always come first, so I'd give up holidays for sure

blued

I'd give up Christmas, mainly because I have no kids. To me, Christmas is about spending time with friends and family, some good food and too much drink! You can do all this for a LOT less than £600! I'd rather have a summer holiday somewhere abroad.

I dont think there's any need fo adults to give and receive presents each year and so many people get into debt because of this. Save the gifts for the children who appreciate it the most!

Gregm

Up until 3 years ago our summer hols where camping in the UK but then we found ourselves in a position we could start going to Spain and personally I would not want to give that up. On the other hand I think the wife and kids would rather have Christmas.

I think both have same value (not monetary), a summer holiday is a great time to relax with the family after working for the rest of the year, generally stress free blah blah, on the other hand, Christmas, although not relaxing is great fun, especially for the kids.

I would rather cut back on both than give up one or the other.