Oh well, now I know for next year - start looking earlier than the beginning of November and make arrangements before 20th November !!
Due to the size of our family, we have always 'shared' my parents on Christmas Day. One year with us and one year with my brother and his wife's family. On the years that my folks have come to us, we have our BIL, SIL, nephews and girl-friends as well. Last year things were different and it was just the 5 of us - which was great - we didn't eat too much and we didn't have left overs for days afterwards.
This year my folks are going to my brother and extended family and so we thought we would go out to dinner on Christmas Eve. That was we wouldn't have left overs for days on end and the three of us would just mooch around at home - enjoying the time off work. The problem is I never thought we would have to book before 20th November !!! When I rang to book for 5 adults I was advised that they were fully booked - BUGGER POO BUM !!!
So we did the ring around of hotels and we had to either pay $150 each (not going to happen) or go with a normal carvery and seafood buffet (I'm guessing the difference is - no crackers, no Christmas pudding, possibly no mince pies) for $75. K wasn't fussed about no crackers - she, quite rightly, pointed out that we could have crackers at home on Christmas Day (as I can Christmas pudding as I am the only one who eats it so maybe I'll just buy a little one all for me !!). When I rang Dad this morning he said he didn't care about crackers and hats (especially the hats as they look funny on him !!!) the main thing is that we are all together.
Next year I will be better prepared. Now to see if I can find the Christmas presents that K is wanting !! A has asked for a 6 pack of beer and I have already got my present (Nikon D5100) !! As we don't do Kris Kringle or have littlies in our family, I just need to find the multiple photo frame that my folks want, choose some photos to go in there and I am done ! (Apart from A because I can't just give him a 6 pack of beer no matter how many times he tells me that is all he wants - but what do you buy for the man who has EVERYTHING ??????????)
I am feeling a bit like the Christmas grinch - I am not putting up a tree this year and really can't be bothered with all the Christmas Hoo Haa (which is why I want to go out for dinner because I can't be ar*ed cooking !!!!) but I have noticed that without little children around, Christmas just doesn't have the same feel to it. We are not religious people and to be honest, I am just happy to have a couple of days off work !!
Linking in with Jess for #IBOT.
TFTD : When you give it your best shot and you miss, it's not seen as a failure. Instead, it's just another opportunity to step up to the plate and do it better next time.
i'm going to be honest - i'm not much into the hoo haa with all the decorations and such. they're pretty and all, just too much effort for my house! i love love love, spending that time with my family and in-laws, there is something jsut so lovely about it xx
ReplyDelete#teamIBOT
I think it is better to be able to spend time with my family rather than worry about the decorations for sure !!!
DeleteHave the best day !
Me
Without the kidlets, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be so into the whole Christmas thing however for them, I want to make it special with all the decorations, the countdown, the obligatory christmas lights visit,etc. I adore the time with family but it always seems such a rush to get around to see everyone, not to mention wanting to split my eldest son in two so he didn't have to miss out on anything from my house or his Dad's. Last year, I said everyone would/could come to me, I was sick of the running around stressing me out....now the stress is in all the planning before the day gggrrr
ReplyDeleteHope Christmas is special for you no matter where it is x
It is always good if you can make it memorable for the kidlets - definitely !!
DeleteIt's hard either way - trying to see everyone or else all the preparation to have everyone coming to you - hope it isn't too stressful for you this year.
Have the best day !
Me
Pretty sure McDonalds is open on Christmas Eve. That would absolutely make my kids happy, but sadly for them they will be forced to eat a regular dinner and a regular Christmas Day lunch - well, unless they find their stockings full of lollies again.
ReplyDeleteLOL - I think it came close to McDonald's as one point !!!!!
DeleteGotta love the lollies in the stockings - one way to cut down on catering.
Have a great week !
Me
Oh no, bummer that you didnt get in, it shocks me sometimes how booked places can be haha. Dont forget for next year!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI must admit, I LOVE Christmas and all the deco's.. It a tradition that, although I dont live there anymore, i go to my folks house and put the tree up with my mum, hats on, christmas carols on (elvis is a fave) and away we go.
Ive always had a big christmas, with family coming from overseas and its almost always been at my parents house.. this year is a little diff with not many relos coming but we will still be having a full cooked english lunch, CAN NOT WAIT!
I also can't wait to have little ones to make it that extra special!
but at the end of the day, its about family and love and friends ... so wherever you find yourself, doesnt really matter, you will all have each other!
xx
That is what someone said to me today - book now for next year !!!! I thought they were being silly but maybe not so much so !!
DeleteYou are right - so long as we are together it really doesn't matter where we are - just so long as someone else is doing the cooking and the cleaning up afterwards and we don't have leftovers for a week !
Have a great evening !
Me
Lucky you with your new camera! We are having not one, but two Christmases again this year. One with hubby's family on Christmas Day and one with mine on Boxing Day. We did that last year too and it's pretty full on. I'd rather something quieter and smaller!
ReplyDeleteIn South Africa we generall did Christmas Eve with my folks/family and Christmas Day with A's folks/family - it's hard when there is so much on and you just want to have some down time.
DeleteHope you have two great days !
Me
where were you trying to go!? Surely there are other places that have something similar? Did you try the Radisson out here in Carrara? What a bugga!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that - will give Radisson a ring and see what they have to offer. We originally tried to get into Royal Pines - from there we rung a heap of hotels - most didn't offer anything on Xmas Eve - some did for $150 !!!! We were just looking for a carvery / roast type meal - some buffets were for italian/asian/seafood - We have managed to get into Terraces at the Sheraton and I have heard that it is very good. Will see what the Radisson have to offer and then cancel the Sheraton if need be.
DeleteHave a great week !
Me
We have my three for Christmas morning... shortbread, pancakes and pressie opening. Then they go to their father's for lunch celebration with his family. We'll see them after New Years then.
ReplyDeleteMiss 15 is off to Tassie with her dad just before the big day from memory.
So essentially, it's the 2 of us this year. We will probably be packing the camper trailer for a week's camping for the afternoon.
Hope your day is awesome! I'm sure it will be anyway. :D
Much love!
Shortbread and pancakes for breakfast - that is just up my alley even though I am doing the no sugar no wheat ne dairy thing !!!! I am sure you will enjoy yourselves camping - hope the weather is fine.
DeleteYip, it will be awesome whatever we land up doing.
Have the best week !
Me
I would love to head out for Christmas lunch but my husband is horrified at the suggestion. I would love to skip the work and mess. Rachel xx
ReplyDelete#TeamIBOT
We went out to lunch once in South Africa and really enjoyed it - this year has been so busy with a whole heap of things and because of how some family issues are going we thought it would be best to just take it easy and relax - if it works out well it may be a tradition we continue !!!
DeleteHave a great day - and hope your husband helps lots on the day !
Me
I can't imagine going out for Christmas! We have small children though, so there is that. Have you thought about enrolling A in the 6 pack a month club? Every month he is delivered a surprise 6 pack from around the world. My father in law loved it :)
ReplyDeletexx
Thanks Mrs BC - haven't heard of that but will go and see what I can find out about it - I am sure that he would like that. Good idea for my BIL for his birthday in December too !!!
DeleteHope you have a great day !
Me
We're lucky that we visit family so we don't have to cater for ourselves but we're planning on trying to go away somewhere for xmas next year. I think it would be wonderful to go away somewhere, just our little family, and have some new adventures on our own. Perhaps we should have booked that last year for next year too, going by your xmas booking experience????
ReplyDeleteWhen I was staying in one of Middle East country the christmas tree had been up at malls since October! Can you believe that?!!
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