so then why do I feel guilty when I run into a store for anything? after last year I said I would NEVER do it again..run run run go go go and put myself into a financial turmoil...(well we are still in turmoil but anyways LOL) so then WHY do I feel guilty that I am not doing the "christmas thing"? my kids are 14, 11 & 11 all boys...they had a choice..christmas as they know it or a cruise to the bahamas? they ALL chose the trip...we are going down to FLA Dec9th to spend 2 days in Sebastian with their grandparents (who are also going on the cruise with us) Going on a Royal Caribbean cruise Dec11-15th to the Bahamas and then driving to Jacksonville for a surprise visit to MIL and a overnight stay with her (who doesn't even know we are going away!) ..to come home the 16th...

The boys all picked out 1 big gift each that they want and that is all they are getting and they know that and are fine with that...my husband and I are not exchanging gifts either but instead putting a few bucks towards a new sofa that we desperately need...I have purchased a digital camera for my parents and we will give my MIL cash when we get there (she really could use it!) but that is it for the gift giving..we have cut everyone else off!!!...we will still have a big christmas dinner with SIL and her kids at my home but we are not exchanging gifts with them either

I REALLY am hoping that the cruise ship is decorated for the holidays so that it REALLY enforces that this is their christmas gift (does anyone know if it will be? I called and they weren't sure)...we will take the camcorder and pics while we are there and I was thinking of wrapping them and viewing them on Christmas day....Perhaps getting an ornament for each child from the cruise ship to put on the tree

Just wondering if anyone has ever done anything like this and how you felt about it...about not being a part of the christmas madness


Christmas in my house had gotten so out of contol (thanks to my mother the shopping addict) that I am hoping that this makes them realize that christmas is about memories and family...

I know this is an awesome thing but for some reason I feel guilty for "breaking tradition".....

Thanks!! Just needed to vent!

I have thought about going on vacation when my kids are a little older and doing away with all of the madness. For now, we will join in the madness for a few more years. Last year, We scaled way back and asked that others do as well that are on our list. Bringing up the idea was very welcoming by others in our "Christmas circle" of gift giving.

I hope you enjoy your time on the cruise!!! I look forward to that time.

You need to read :

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

We took a Royal Caribbean cruise several years ago and really loved it. I would *hope* they'd decorate for the holidays! Enjoy your family and cruise...and update us when you get back!

We went on a Royal Carribean Cruise 2 years ago for spring break. They had some decorations packages you could purchase for your cruise for your room and it would be done when you got there, like birthday, anniversary or honeymoon. Check their website, they may have Christmas stuff. Royal Carribean is awesome! You'll love it! Have a great time and ENJOY with no guilt!!!

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

What is most important to you Family or Gifts. I bet I could answer that for you. I think this is a wonderful idea. You will be celebrating what the season is really about. It's not the gifts that we get it's time with family that is important. You have more holiday spirit in you right now than anyone shopping at the mall driviing around like a mad person looking for a gift.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP AND DON"T YOU DARE FEEL GUILTY!!!!!

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I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.

Life! is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.

I would love to go away for Christmas so I wouldn't have to deal with dh's family. Too unorganized plus they have a stupid cat that dd had a huge reaction to at her last visit. I'm trying not to have to take her there but MIL is insisting she host the holiday.

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I've never lied to you. I've always told you some version the of truth.

When we lived in FLorida we did a trip every Christmas day. We may have only visited a State park but we opened a few gifts and left for the day. My son is now nearly 21years old and when we were talking the other day he rmembers these times the best. Possibly take a few dollar store decorations to put up in the room.

Have a wonderful trip.

I would do it in a heartbeat to if I didnt have 2 small children who still want TOYS for xmas!!! In fact do you have relatives who will give gifts anyways I know I do so maybe they will get stuff for xmas & the cruise also that hopefully will make you feel less guilty!!!

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mom of 3 greats girls

We are doing the same thing next year. I dont know if we will be going to cruise or if we will travel the west. I talked to the boys about it this year and they really seem excited about the idea of going on a trip instead of xmas. They are 15 (just about 16) and 12. I think that I am still going to have to try and talk Sparky into it but it is something we all want.

Hope that you all have a great time and that your holiday is full of memory making moments you will treasure for ever.

Darlene

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Sell crazy some place else, we are all stocked up here.

Remember you gave them a choice. I think they chose wisely. Christmas is family, wonderful memories, you and your husband are giving them that.

All three of my boys are grown and gone. When we talk about it is the times we have spent together that they bring up. Not once have they brought up any of the gifts they have gotten for various things.

Have a wonderful time, enjoy every second of the memories that will last all of you a life time.

We got married on 12-14, and went on a cruise for our honeymoon. It was a Carnival Cruise, but it was decorated for Christmas. It was beautiful. I think we left on the 16th and came home on the 21st or 22nd.

Check out www.cruisecritic.com They have a wonderful board there. It has a special section just for Royal Carribean that you can ask about the decorations.

Have a wonderful time!!!! We have been on quite a few cruises and its the only type of vacation we will take now. We just did a 7 day alaskan and in April 2007 we are having a wedding vow renewal on a cruise to Mexico and the Bahamas with all our family.

If you have any questions ill be happy to answer what I can.

We're planning a trip to Disney next christmas. We figured, seeing Disney during the holidays and being together is a great way to celebrate the holidays. We are planning to have a few small things under the tree for the little one since she still believes in Santa but other then that our family gift will be being together while seeing Disney for the first time

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Amy mommy to Ash,Zach&Alexis


MyCoupons Is #1 for Holiday Shopping

OH MY GOSH, that site is addicting. I've been a regular on there for a few years, but am breaking myself, so am back at My Coupons. My user name is ExaltHim on that site. I've been on 12 cruises since May 2003! Some with my dh, some alone(love solo cruising), so with family. Alaska is wonderful, and probably my most favorite cruise to this date. You will love cruising. I will warn you that the only cure for post cruise depression is to book another one. I currently have none booked because my dh has asked me to take a break for a year or so.

We hope to go to Florida for Christmas next year. Have a wonderful vacation, and an awesome cruise.


Marie

You know what I'd ask yourself and your kids? Can they remember what they got for Christmas two years ago, three years ago? Can they remember more than 2 or 3 things they got last year? I know my son couldn't if you asked him that. I'm not sure I could - LOL. It's really gotten so over-done that it's much more about the quantity than the quality. My son is 8 and I hope that he will be ready soon to do what you are doing. I think that's a great decision.

Kim

I think it is a splendid idea. Memories are always worth more than "stuff".

We thought about it this year even going as far as researching flights to Orlando and hotels. We discovered that is actually quite inexpensive to travel down (for us anyway) the week before Christmas.

Our oldest is 10, youngest is 5...decided to wait another year so the little guy would understand better...and remember more of the trip in the future.

Yep, check out cruise critic. Everyone was so nice there and answered any questions I had. We just got back from a cruise that someone gave us for our 12th anniversary. We went without our 3 boys 9,7,& 3, but wouldn't want to go without them again. Mine would LOVE it but yours will love it WAY more. It will be an awesome Christmas present! We seriously thought about going to the mountains as our Christmas present and taking our guys snow tubbing, but didn't feel comfortable doing it on our budget. But when we asked them, " toys or snow tubbing?" they were all about going and not the toys. Memories are the BEST!

It sounds like such a great idea i think i will ask my sons if they would like to do something like that next year or the year after it would be a lot of saving up to do it but so worth it. enjoy your cruise with your family the memories will last a lot longer then a toy.

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