Special Christmas treat for family - suggestions?

tea_lover

Just wanted to say congratulations on stopping smoking, I hope you're feeling really proud - you should be!

I love the ideas for treats on the thread, particularly a few days in London, or a Christmas market somewhere. I'm sure wherever you choose you'll have a great time just knowing how you've paid for it.

meeps

How about a steam train trip? they often have xmas specials to towns with a market on...

something like this? http://www.steamdreams.com/executables/GT410WebContent.exe?SS=SDSVR01SQLExpress&DB=SteamDreams&Division=A&ActionCode=HP

JodyBPM

GlasweJen wrote: »

What about a special lunch and good tickets to panto? Or is that a Scottish thing?

ETA you won't spend £1,000 on that obviously but I wouldn't spend all that money now, always good to have a cushion.

I think a panto is a lovely idea. Only thing is that we take the children to a panto most years anyway, so it won't be a one off big treat iyswim, (although a treat none the less of course).

I'm quite happy to spend the whole £1K, we have plenty of other money in savings anyway, this is just different as its *my* savings rather than *family* savings, and its almost a bit of a bonus as its money I've saved from quitting smoking. (and it is of course fairly replaceable, as I'm intending the saving to continue monthly for the rest of my life, not planning on going back to smoking now!)

I really just want it to be a wonderful surprise for everyone. I don't think that DH has really realised that I've squirrelled this all away, and how quickly it has added up. Obviously he knew how much smoking cost, and that I have that extra money now, but he just told me to treat myself to stuff (think he's just so pleased that I've given up that he'd be quite happy for me to be buying diamond shoes or snacking on caviar as long as I don't take up smoking again!) But tbh I don't really want for much, and I'd far rather treat the family to something...

Threebabes

I think the London sounds like a fab idea. We had a few days the other year one Easter with the kids. What about shrek, Lion king, is matilda still on. Saying that I do love a show. The rainforest cafe for the kids for a meal etc.

Na1play

I really recommend Disneyland Paris at Christmas. It is truly magical and so beautiful.
Big well done for giving up smoking, as a former 40 a dayer, I know how hard it can be.
Na
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splishsplash

Congratulations on quitting the fags! I absolutely agree with the Lapland trip if you can swing it.
If it's too much for this year, why not spend just a bit of your saved money this year on a local day out and plan for the Lapland trip next year? I took my kids there when they were 8, 7 and 4. Like yours, eldest was beginning to question a little. That trip is still remembered fondly as our best family holiday and definitely bought me at least three more years of Santa goodness. We still get out the old tapes from time to time, and my eldest is 20 years old now!

onlyroz

I'd suggest either something like a trip to Eurodisney, or maybe something like a new TV/games console/hi-fi/computer.

Abbafan1972

I don't have any ideas I'm afraid regarding a treat, but I just wanted to say well done on giving up smoking.

I wish my Mom would give up.

Lunar_Eclipse

I'm another whose immediate thought was Lapland, but it will be over budget. My alternatives would include the European Xmas markets or New York, but again they're both over budget.

Within budget, I would probably opt for London to ice skate at Hyde Park, visit Harrods, see the Xmas lights and watch Starlight Express. Oh and have a meal at Inamo, for a new dining experience.

lindseylocket

what about a trip to legoland in Denmark , your kids are a great age for it.
they open up for weekends on the run up to Christmas and it's supposed to be fab.
cheap flights from ryanair , sure you could manage it for about £1000