Holiday Frustrations

hotfrangipani replied:

Cant help you with that one Julie...I have always been home or at one of our parents house for Christmas.

This year I am hoping to host Christmas at my house....I like to make a huge fuss at this time of year!

I was interested in everyone's holiday stories for Christmas day...

Is it better to stay?  or better to be away?

ExMember148 replied:

We have never been away on our own at Christmas.  But now that the family is getting older (nieces/nephews etc) they are all starting to go their own way.  Some of the family this year are going to Tasmania.  So I would love to hear some stories.

Cheers

Kelly replied:

Where to start.... I absolutely love that time of year for many reasons.

Firstly, Christmas Eve is my daughter Elizabeth's birthday. So you can imagine how hectic things are! Last we we had both families here to help celebrate her 1st birthday. Cost us a fortune, lots of mess but also lots of fun!

Christmas Day used to be an extra special day with my family. It was my granddad's birthday. Since his passing we have begun spending most of christmas day with my inlaws. Celebrating the chinese traditions of my inlaws is great for the children. So is the food!!

Boxing day my family spends at lake leschenaultia which is in the foot hills of perth. The kids spend all day swimming, playing cricket (after a few drinks the adults tend to join in and it all looks very dodgy!) Since my family are scattered all over the state its a good time for us to get together if they can make it. As my granddad was the hub of my family i guess you could say we decided to keep up the tradition after he had passed away because it was one of his favourite spots.

Next new year anything can happen!! We do celebrate regular new year 1/1 but we also celebrate Chinese New Year. Again... the food! YUM!!!!

Four us that time of year is one huge party because not long after that is Maddison's birthday as well as my own!

SaucyKath replied:

Julie, this site may help  http://www.holidayswithkids.com.au/top_10_resorts .

We've stayed at Paradse Resort a couple of times - hardly see the kids at that one!    and theres also a great holiday park with all types of cabins at Yamba.   They always have a great school holiday programme that keeps everyone occupied.   I've also had rave reviews from friends about the Shangri La & Naviti resorts at Fiji (surprisingly cheaper to go there than FNQ).

Good on you for thinking so far in advance - & good luck tracking down the perfect desitnation.

Kath

scentedcandlelady replied:

Hi Julie,

Besides the usual recommendations and a lot of bad publicity for cruising I highly recommend going on a cruise...

there's kids club for the kids free... and if they are anything like my son he was waking at 6.00 and driving us mad to get there.. So we taught him how to play shuttle board, chess and go swimming before 9.00am...

then planning our activites was so hard... do you race from one end of the ship and do bingo or race upstairs for a relaxing 2.5 hours massage mmmm the decisions were hard...

Food was brilliant.. you could eat 5 meals aday and not pay for any of it.. all included... or if you wanted wedges in your room watching the late night movie.. just call room service.. don't get too miles too much....

and the day trips were out of this world... something for everyone in the family...

I'm a traveller back pack everywhere and have to see everything but for a relaxing take time out for my family and myself  nothing to worry about this was the perfect holiday.. my husband has said next time we go for longer 7 days wasn't enough...

So julie what ever you decide enjoy... but for total stress free I highly recommend cruising.....

Julie

ExMember148 replied:

A cruise is defn on the agenda (for when I find my figure, damn it I know it's around here somewhere!!) 

I love that site Kath, just got to decide now.  i don't know if i want to do something purely relaxing or an adventure type thing ??

Have seen treasure island holiday village on coast, looks good.  And something oasis at Coffs Harbour, again looks good.

Loved the diamond beach resort at easter, but it's booked.

I have been wanting to go to paradise resort for so long, but have never bitten the bullet!!!

I think i am scared about being away at Christmas.

chrisandra14 replied:

Have u made up your mind yet??  Haha  Remember to have that spare seat for me!!!!

ExMember148 replied:

You're kidding yourself right!!! I want as far away from you girls as I can.  No computer, no phone, no nothing.  OMG !!  No, can't do that, might have a breakdown!!!  Rainbow Beach is looking good at the moment.

Devocean1 replied:

The park in yamba,saucy Kath mentioned is called the blue Dolphin,My oldest son(from a previous relationship) has been about 5 times with his dad & cousins,the kids just love it!!!

Last year we went to North stradbroke island,we stayed in a really cool mezanine townhouse,within a resort but because we booked a privatly owned unit, via the local R.E agent instead of booking through the resort,we got it for around a third of th price.great for kids too,beautiful pool, mini golf & outdoor movies adj.great beaches(espec. if dad loves to surf), sand boarding,not to mention heaps of other kids to make friends with.We loved it so much we will prob go again this year.

if u r worried about being away 4 xmas, do what we did, home 4 xmas..holiday in Jan

PatriciaStorie replied:

We have always gone home to my mums for x-mas. Last year was our 1st x-mas without her. We all went to my oldest sisters house, who lives right next door to mum. They built the house she lived in on there vacant lot next to them. A sad but good x-mas last year.

This year, we have decided to stay at home with the boys. We have never spent x-mas at home, so this year we are.

Patricia.

chrisandra14 replied:

  I thinks my mother in law and brother and law are coming down for x-mas this year at our new house hmmmmmmm  this is first year in ages we have been home for chritmas normally at maroochydoore with my parents damn i love the beach but ahhh well times for change lol!!!  Yes Rainbow Beach is  nice!! we went there last easter!!

ExMember148 replied:

Just thought I would update y'all on this one........

Ended up (quite by accident - longgggggggggggg story - over coffee sometime!!) at the Blue Dolphin at Yamba.................HIGHLY recommended!!! Excellent!!!

Now only 351 days to find my figure for that cruise!!! Yep its booked!!!  Christmas Cruising here we come!!