Home or Away for Christmas?

"I have travelled all year, seen a lot of places and seen plenty of airports, but do I love being home for Christmas? The answer is yes. Maybe its because I have kids, grown up, albeit, but for me it's time for family and friends. There's nothing quite like getting on your Christmas pjs, lighting the fire and enjoying opening the prezzies with your family. It has to be done! Mince pies and chocolate for breakfast. Turkey cooked - don't even like it, but its the stuffing and ham that keep me in the mood for Christmas dinner!  Even the anticipation of the stupid and pointless gifts and jokes in the Christmas cracker. Look how smart Tom Smith was in the 1840s when he created those! 

Sending customers abroad for Christmas has never been a huge part of my business, maybe I don't promote it as much as I should, because I can't imagine it myself.  I tend to focus on the post Christmas getaways, and by then, I'm too fat for a bikini but the thought of spending New Year in New York or somewhere with a snowy setting sets the scene for me.

I remember having an amazing cruise with Royal Caribbean on Allure of the Seas pre-Christmas when the calypso bands greeted us in St Maarten with Christmas carols. It was perfect. Poinsettia lined the promenade on deck 5 and it certainly had me in Christmas spirit. The added bonus was my Christmas shopping when the dollar was great. Saved a lot that year. So maybe that's my thing - taking advantage of the pre-Christmas prices and fitting in a bit of Christmas shopping too.

I'm sure many of you could educate me on the advantages of going away at Christmas -  the avoidance of all the superficial rubbish and the kids who demand more are probably more than good reason.

Its the celebration of a gift to me and whether that is material stuff or just time, its your way of seeing things. Christmas should be a time we think of others, especially those cabin crew, health staff, restaurant owners etc who don't get a choice! Reflect on your year and try to think about the new ideas for the incoming year.

Don't take the 'Christ' out of Christmas though, because if you celebrate it, wherever you are, He is the reason for the season. 

It's down time. Chill time. Refresh time. Wine time. With those who are important - wherever you are in the world!

Happy Christmas to you and yours. "

Sharon Fleming (Owner)