Go away after you just spent a fortune on holiday gifts? Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying.
For the past couple of years, we have taken vacations after Christmas and it has been incredible. It has changed our whole outlook on December and has helped us start the new year refreshed and recharged.
When you know you are going away, you change the way you spend. You know you will be eating out, so you eat out less. If you know you are going to be in warmer climates having a cocktail (or two) in less clothing, you are less likely to overindulge beforehand. If you know you will be spending money on fun activities right after the holiday, you will spend less before the holiday.
As a family we have tried very hard to not over-do Christmas. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize I was over-doing the activities before Christmas. Neighborhood parties, cookie parties, class parties, work parties; we were over-partied and exhausted before Christmas arrived. This took away from the enjoyment of the holiday. Then, you realize, school just released the children and you still have two weeks to entertain them. After the holiday rush to get prepared for Christmas, the last thing I want to do is spend every day driving my kids around for local entertainment.
It was so much easier to say, sorry kids we’re not going to the local overpriced ‘snow’ theme park since we will soon be hunting sea shells by the sea. Or, sorry we’re not buying everyone in your class a ‘small’ gift because we’re saving our money for a stingray experience.
There’s also the business of New Years. Can we all agree this is another made up amateur holiday? I have loved being out of town for New Years. My kids don’t have to stress about going or not getting to go to a party and neither do I.
Take my advice, get out of town and when you get home tanned and rested you will be ready to put away all of those holiday decorations.
