Should I stay home for thr Holidays?

United States
November 16, 2009 8:55pm CST
My husband and I along with our 3 small children live 4 hours from our families. We can't decide if we should stay home for the holidays. Each year we hurray out of the house only to sit in traffic. With the cost of gas and tolls each way combined with the holiday spending we are weighing heavily on staying home. Also, the drive is so long for the children, and all they want to do is play with their new toys. For my husband and myself, by the time we get to our destination we are really just too tired to even enjoy ourselves. Especially knowing that the next day we would have to drive home. Ugh... The reason we have not decided yet is because we want to see our families for the holiday and we know that they would want to see the children. We don't want to disappoint anyone. The holidays are when you are suppose to spend time together with your family. That is what is all about. But is it feasible to do it this year? Do you have any advise?
2 responses
vanny
@vandana7 (100282)
• India
17 Nov 09
Hi Slewis, why not choose a destination closer to home for outing! You all can save on gasoline costs, and enjoy a nice holiday as well! As to families, yeah, its understandable, but with web cameras, and efficient communication systems does it still have to be visits, especially when times are tough?
BNice70
@BNice70 (12)
•
17 Nov 09
I understand how you feel, but when you got married and had children you created your new family. You only have to do what makes the five of you happy, everyone else is second. My wife and I had a similar conversation and we are going to stay home for the holidays. Every year for six year we have traveled to my family and the in-laws and I does take it's toll (Pardon the pun) on you. Christmas is about seeing the smile on your children's faces and enjoying that time you may not get much of to begin with. You can see family anytime, but you never get back the smiles of your children. You sound like you have a close, loving family so I'm sure the will understand. Spend the holidays at home, you deserve that time with them. Cherish every minute of it. After you see the looks on the kid faces and tell them they can play with their gifts all day, anything that comes after that won't matter anymore.