Christmas holiday with kids cheaply

MrsE_2

Octobergirl wrote: »

I hated the commercial, hugely hyped Christmas that we had last year, which resulted in overwrought, tired, whingy kids (4 & 8). so, this year we have agreed on a small present each and a 'get away'. ( they'll still get stockings and relatives presents).

I'm struggling to find anything within my £500 budget. I'm looking for the Christmas feel, decorations, walks, pool, not fussed about traditional dinner. whilst i love christmas markets, they're not much fun for the kids. centre parcs and forest holidays are out of our budget.

Does anyone have any experiences or ideas?

Why dont you say what county you live in, it will make a big difference to costs.
A cottage in Scotland wont be your thing if you are from Devon.

Octobergirl

Hi Sillygoose, you've hit the nail on the head, we always have a fantastic, stressfree family time when we get away. We're in Yorkshire, but happy to travel 4 /5 hours, Cornwall up to Edinburgh. I've been googling self catering cottages for days, but there's so much choice I'm going round in circles!

Octobergirl

sillygoose wrote: »

Your a lovely little piece aren't you?

Places at certain times get booked up early, reality! some of us have to get leave from work around other people hugely in advance so have to plan early, I am already looking for options for summer holidays 2014, thats just life in the grown up world.

That was certainly more diplomatic than my response:D

notanewuser

MrsE wrote: »

Why dont you say what county you live in, it will make a big difference to costs.
A cottage in Scotland wont be your thing if you are from Devon.

Eh?! Since when do Devonions not like Scotland?

Seanymph

I echo Youth Hostels - self catering, and you can stay in something whatever size you want!

MrsE_2

notanewuser wrote: »

Eh?! Since when do Devonions not like Scotland?

I thought you were cleverer than that.
The budget is £500 for the whole family, if they go hundreds of miles there won't be much left in the pot;)

moomoomama27

1886 wrote: »

It's June and you're thinking about Christmas already, get a life!

Well I must need to get a life too, as I'm about 50% done on Christmas gifts!! You can be organised, budget and * gasp* have a life

mountainofdebt

OP

Would it help if you told us exactly what was so wrong about Christmas last year?

Octobergirl

Hi mountainof debt, I think the children had been so wound up about it, they seemed to start preparations at school at the beginning of December, it was so dragged out.

Christmas Eve with all the little traditions was lovely, we did a buffet Boxing Day for family which again was lovely. Christmas Day itself was horrendous, I hated the mountains of presents, the day seemed to have no meaning to it, the kids were 'overdone' and fractious iykwim. We're not religious and don't go to church, but I feel as though it needs a focus other than the presents/ family get together/ meal etc

I want to be doing something on the day, I'm just not sure what!!

Tiddlywinks

So... you had a great Christmas Eve and Boxing day... it's just Christmas day that you felt was too focussed on pressies?

Will going away really be the best way to solve this? Even if you rent a cottage what will you do differently? Different location BUT you still need something to do... and most places (other than hotels, pubs etc) are closed.

Why not stay home and go out for a walk / drive (perhaps with a picnic)? Or could you go to visit family?

I just think that you are focussing on changing the wrong things for changes sake without knowing fully what caused you to feel the way you do about last year.