Christmas in Florida or at home?

[ellie]

Where do you like to spend Christmas? Do you prefer to shiver at home in the UK with family and friends, or do you like to escape to the sun and celebrate at Disney or round the pool?

[ellie]

Well, there is no contest for me - Florida wins every time! In fact we were really sad to leave our house a week ago after preparing it for our three week Christmas guests - we hated leaving the lovely Christmas tree, our fantastic pool and the sunshine, of course!

We normally spend Christmas in our home in Orlando, but sadly not this year - work commitments made it impossible. But it just won't be the same.

And I shall hate not being there for all the wonderful sales after Christmas. <:cry

[pbensur]

You need a third choice for me Ellie - "at home in Northern U.S."<:wink

[arkvilla]

We've never done Christmas away from home - the christmas booking for the villa isa much needed cash input for us..

Sandra

[Mary and Colin]

We have never done a Florida christmas because of work.
But it is a dream we hope to fullfill in the future.

Mary

[Steve]

I have put Florida as my choice, we have done it twice but we do like to have more of the family around us at that time of year, especially Dawn, she really misses them. So it is a pretty hard call for us. Ideally it would be great to spend it in Florida and have all the family with us. :)

[JAF]

We prefer our Christmas to be spent in Florida but this year with our sons cannot get the time off and we all like to be together for Christmas.

Our youngest has invited us up to Sheffield to have Christmas with him and as Andrew has also been able to get Christmas Day and Boxing Day off we are all looking forward to a new experience. This will be a luxury for me to not have to cook a Christmas lunch and so I do not care what we have even if it is only a cheese sandwich, followed by Christmas pudding and mince pies which I am taking along with the cake.

[ellie]

You need a third choice for me Ellie - "at home in Northern U.S."<:wink

Oh Patty, I am so sorry. <:embarr I will see if I can add it, if not I will have to appeal to Steve to add it for me! It was a bit late last night when I was doing it........<:wink

[Steve]

Have added a third option. :)

[ellie]

Thanks, Steve! <:cheer

[pbensur]

Well after you went through all the trouble for me, I'd better be sure I vote now! <:lol

[pbensur]

Done - as much as I love Florida and the festive atmosphere, I have to say that I like to be home for Christmas. We have gone down the day after Christmas a couple of times now and that was perfect as we got to enjoy the festive atmosphere and all the fun and still got to have Christmas with all the family at home.

[Debbie]

We agree that Florida is lovely at Christmas but spending time with family at Christmas is too. We are thinking of perhaps going next year for new year so that we can have our traditional christmas, then see in the new year in the sun!!!!

[ellie]

Well, having spent Christmas in the UK this year for the first time in years I know where I would rather be! Last year we ate lunch at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, and this year I was either cooking or clearing up the cooking! <:lol


So I think its time I started looking for flights! <:wink

[Shirls]

Interesting how majority voted for home. Is this because we are creatures of habit and can't imagine sunbathing on Christmas day or that people have tried both

[lizpaterson47]

I have spent Xmas away from home a few times but would always vote for home as that is where family are. Having spent xmas in Thailand,Vietnam Hawai, Florida and LA nothing compares as well as home in my opinion, even allowing that I have approx 16 people for xmas dinner. Xmas is a time for Families.

[ellie]

I totally agree with you, Liz about Christmas and families. For us Christmas is wherever our family is, and as we have a small family we can usually take them with us to Florida, or wherever.

As we have no grandchildren yet our judgement is probably a little clouded. Maybe when/if we do have grandchildren we will think differently. I think Christmas must be wonderful with young children to share it with, and I could not imagine leaving them behind.

[disneymanor]

I am in Florida at the moment having arrived on the 22nd Dec, this is our 10th xmas here and I have to say we are very very dissapointed this year, I dont know if its the credit crunch but the whole xmas atmosphere is not here this year, even celebration did not have its fireworks at new year.
It doesnt help that it is so cold only 37 degrees, that it actually snowed in Davenport this morning LOL I know there will be many of you who will say but its -1 back home but where you have saved all year and looked forward to some sun, its really hard to find that in able to get to the parks you haveto wear heavy jackets gloves and boots.
In Busch gardens yesterday they shut early as there were only 200 in the park and it was too cold to keep some of the animals outside.

so for us this will be our last xmas here after many years we are now going to come in Oct Nov and perhaps March/april

[pbensur]

So sorry to hear that you have had such a disappointing visit. Don't be too hasty in abandoning your annual Christmas holiday vacation though - afterall you did have 9 good ones! Maybe you'll feel differently after the cold has worn off a bit and hopefully if the economy turns around some, the festive atmosphere will return next year!

[Steve]

Hi Angela, sorry to hear your disappointment. As Patty says this is probably a one off and things may get back to normal next year. I do understand though how you must feel, I know I would feel the same. You look forward to visiting Orlando so much, especially if you only visit once a year, to find it so cold. We did 2 Christmas/New Year trips in the past but do prefer Sept/Oct/Nov to ensure that warmer weather.

[Mary and Colin]

Angela so sorry to hear that it has not been the same for you this year. I would think it is a combination of all of it. We are hoping to go at christmas in two years time (work permitting) i have dreamed of it so long i hope it will be all i hope for. You say you have had nine good years before so hopefully it is a one off this year.
Hope you can enjoy the rest of your stay. :)

Mary

[terraceridge2009]

We have never been to Florida for christmas. It is something we would like to do and now we own its more of a possibility however, a good booking would take priority!