A couple of years ago we tried something new for Christmas with the family...and it was such a hit, the grand kids requested it again this year!
Instead of gifts, we took our kids and grand kids on a vacation to a nearby resort. We rented a house large enough for everyone (8 bdrm, 8.5 baths) and spent 5 days together sharing experiences. Ice skating, hot cocoa, gingerbread houses, building snowmen, swimming, puzzles, games,Christmas movies, shared meals and just lots of time together.
So, by special request, we are having a repeat this year. I reserved the house a year ago and the anticipation has been building up all year.
This cost a little more than our normal Christmas budget, but we also are considering this our one vacation trip this year (thank you Covid), so our vacation budget is augmenting this budget.
I ordered a Mickey Mouse cookie cutter last week, so we can make Mickey beignets one morning, we have a cold case file to solve a murder mystery, lots of assorted games, we will be making some sort of gingerbread creation, I will bring a 1000 piece Christmas puzzle -and so much more. It will also be the week my newest grand baby turns 1. We have 5 Dec/Jan birthdays, so there will be a big birthday party and a Christmas dinner.
We are going early December, which makes it nice for the kids, having one less home to visit on Christmas day!! It also makes Christmas day very quiet and relaxing for me! 
And eliminates the stress of shopping for 17 grandkids!!
All of the kids and grandkids will be there and EVERYONE is pretty excited, especially this grandma.
With my retirement next year, this may be the last time we can afford to do this, so I plan to savor every moment of this special time together!!
Christmas 2020
September 24th, 2020 at 05:37 pm
September 24th, 2020 at 05:46 pm 1600969561
September 25th, 2020 at 01:46 pm 1601041607
September 25th, 2020 at 02:35 pm 1601044532
October 11th, 2020 at 06:24 am 1602397457