Cost of Christmas , Cruise instead.
Don’t get me wrong I love Christmas with the best of them but have you ever actually stopped and wondered exactly how much Christmas costs you on a yearly basis. The adverts get earlier every year to the delight of my children (I’m sure I saw Santa on the TV in October this year!!!!) working them up to the frenzy of THE LIST!!!!! You know the Christmas present list that has every toy, puzzle, book action figure ever made on it. So the madness of Christmas begins.
BOYS X 2 – presents – £300
We all want this Christmas to be even better than the year before so outcome the box of decorations and you realise that the 200 lights and the dancing Santa you had last year just don’t cut it anymore so new decorations are the next expense along with the real tree that we have which is from the local garden centre but the cost of it would make you think it had been chopped from the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
NEW DECORATIONS – £50
TREE – £40(Its not even very big!!)
I don’t ask people in my family what they want as I think this completely misses the point of Christmas. Christmas should be about thought and effort and trying to remember what Aunty Beryl has spoken about in the last year so that you could get her a gift to show you really do listen. What’s the point in swapping a voucher for a voucher or getting exactly what you want? I love receiving a pair of leopard print fleecy pyjamas from my Nan and Granddad that even Kate Moss would struggle to make attractive!!! But that’s what it’s all about. It’s been picked and chosen by loved ones and that’s the main thing.
FAMILY GIFTS – £300
We all know that if there is one month in the year to stuff yourself silly then it’s December. Even though for the other 11 months of the year you’ve never so much as thought about a twiglet or a Quality Street all of sudden Christmas makes you decide that these nibbles are a necessity to survive on along with the chocolate log, Toblerone , bags of nuts and of course the much adored Brussel sprout. Don’t forget the drink because it’s just not Christmas without festive eggnog and a glass of port with your cheese.
FOOD AND DRINK – £300
Days out to visit the dodgy looking Santa at the garden centre and a wobbly zig zag attempt at ice skating are just some of the festive activities we take place in to feel more festive. We must see the local pantomime and shout ‘it’s behind you’ to the cast who all of a sudden are singing gangham style instead of away in a manger!!
DAYTRIPS OUT – £300
We all have to be sociable and get together at the office party and rock out to a bit of Slade and Mariah. If like me you can never wear the same dress twice then a new frock it also required.
SOCIALISING – £200
The point is I’m already up to about £1500 and to be honest I could go on and on and on and on…………………………………………………………
If next year you feel like shaking things up and doing something different then I must recommend a Christmas cruise. You have the most amazing food on-board cruises and the added bonus you escape the dreaded Christmas washing up which can take a big chunk out of your festive day. If you’re on-board a ship there are activities and programme’s to get involved in on-board and if you’re lucky enough to be on-board Royal Caribbean you can Ice Skate for free. The shows on-board many ships are top end and productions are like big west end shows with fantastic singers and dancers so better than your local theatre at home. If you like a good tipple then you can book a cruise which is all inclusive and drink as much Christmas sherry as you like. The expense of Christmas can be spent on a cruise and instead of waking up to frost covered trees you could be out on your balcony taking in the views of the Caribbean swapping Christmas trees for Palm trees.
For example a 5 night mini cruise with Fred Olsens on the Boudicca is starting from as little as £499pp which sees you away for Christmas day.
Merry Christmas Cruisers and hopefully I will speak to you in the New Year for your next cruise holiday.
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About Me
I have been working in the Travel Industry for 16 years and originally started out in Business travel. After doing this for a while I was given an opportunity to move into the cruising industry and haven't looked back since. I thoroughly enjoy my job and can't think of anything…
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Thanks for sharing Cost of Christmas , Cruise instead. You information is really informative for us
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