When dds were still only about 9 and 12, and both my MiL and my own father had died not long previously, , we went to Austria for Christmas, taking FiL and my mother - we thought the usual Christmas at home would arouse too much sadness.
A friend of dd1 was added on fairly last minute. We arrived in a pretty Alpine village with no snow on 23rd December - but it snowed that night! All of us except FiL and my mother tried skiing for the first time and the week was a great success - lots of gluhwein certainly helped! The kids all loved it - their shared room was very traditional, a bit like Snow White's little house - and my mother and FiL enjoyed it in their own way - took the lift up the mountain to a nice cafe, just enjoyed the scenery.
It worked very well in those rather special circumstances, but in general I do still like Christmas at home.
Good Morning Thursday 18th April 2024