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Travel for the Holidays

Since my hubs died I have decided to start a new tradition. My kids are older they don’t need that many toys and they don’t need a lot of things. When my hubs died they always talked about the trips we took not the things we bought so I decided that from now on during the holidays we would travel somewhere. I don’t know if we will do it every Christmas but right now we are going to embrace the new tradition and spend some time in other cities for the holiday. It’s expensive as hell to go somewhere for the holidays so here are my tips to save on cost and money

  • try to book early. As early as possible
  • Stay at an Airbnb it’s cheaper than the hotels
  • Find out what you can do for free and pitch if you are a blogger
  • Stay with someone else in the town you are going too (we did this last year and saved on hotel)
  • Don’t stay on site and you can possibly stay up to an hour away and just drive. It’s sometimes cheaper
  • Flights are expensive,ย findย someone that works at Delta and use those rewards

I am a single mom working a fulltime blog and a full-time business. I can’t afford a lot of trips so what I promised the kids we would do is take two trips a year. One in the spring (less crowded than summer) and one for the holidays. Those will be our two trips per year until they grow up and leave the nest. Last year we visited Nashville, TN (Opryland) for the holidays. We took in a play, ate at some new places, and relaxed at my friend’s house. I didn’t have to spend a boatload of money on hotels and since we ate at a house it was cheaper than going out. I didn’t spend a lot of money at all and it was a very nice Christmas. This year we are deciding to either do Savannah or Biltmore Estates. Make sure you follow along to see which one we picked! If you are looking to break tradition and travel for the holidays let me give you a roundup of some places to go

  1. New York City – It’s too cold for me. New York is a different type of cold but if you can stand it I would suggest you visit New York for the holidays. It’s a beauty from what I see on tv. You can ice skate, take in the Nutcracker, and eat some fabulous food.
  2. Walt Disney – I was debating this one for a long time but I don’t know about that crowd during the holidays. This may be good for little kids and you can make this their Christmasย present
  3. Christmas at Biltmore Estates – So this is high on our list for this year. Right now I am crunching costs and numbers but we are leaning towards this.
  4. Christmas in Savannah, GA – This is second on our list. I love Savannah and I have never been during the holidays I know it’s magical and maybe a little cheaper than Biltmore.
  5. Christmas at Gaylord – We went last year and it was breathtaking. I can’t believe I didn’t do a post about it. It’s okay I lived in the moment lol. Trust me when I say this is worth every penny
  6. Banff, Canada – I was trying to stick to places in the US but I could not let this one pass me by. I may do this one if I can just stand the cold
  7. Hershey, PA – Chocolate for Christmas….why not. I have been to Hershey once in the summer and it was so nice. I can’t wait to visit again
  8. Santa Claus, Indiana – I mean this may be the best one on the list….Christmas in a real-life town that’s named after the man in red…..yep put it on your list.
  9. Grapevine, Texas – I am always looking for warmer weather spots. I think this may be where we travel to next year if we don’t’ do the Disney Cruise
  10. Christmas in my Hometown of Charleston, SC – I want my kids to experience the magic of Christmas like I did when I was a child. Of course, things have changed greatly but this will probably be one of the places we visit for the holidays in about 2 years. I am secretly saving this one for the last year my son is in high school. It will be the last year he is home with us and I want to make it very special

Whatever you do for the holidays make it a special one and bump tradition do your own thing. Make a plan, save your money, find a friend, and go. I promise you these kdis will remember the trips more than the gifts. What are your plans for the holidays? Where should I go this year Biltmore or Savannah?

 

34 Comments

  • candy
    November 10, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    Planning ahead it key. We always book early and love staying at airbnbs. Book any tickets for things you want to visit and see and well. Sometimes they are cheaper on line.

    Reply
  • Amber Myers
    November 10, 2017 at 1:32 pm

    I would just love to go to NYC during the holidays. I know it’s gorgeous. One day, I hope. I’d like to go to Disney as well. We normally go during the summer, so it would be neat to see it when it’s cooler. I like your tips! If I know I’m going somewhere I always plan early too.

    Reply
  • Crystal Nicole
    November 10, 2017 at 2:24 pm

    Planning ahead is definitely key. I love this idea of traveling for the holidays. Every year during the holidays when my family gets together, we always say we want to enjoy the holidays somewhere else. Ask me if that has happened yet? *insert eye roll* It’s definitely in my plans to go somewhere else for the holidays next year, even if it’s just my mom and me.

    Reply
  • Sheena Steward
    November 10, 2017 at 2:28 pm

    This is a great idea! I live in Nashville and my husband was just talking about the lights at Gaylord. They start today. Like you said that place is breathtaking. I would love to go to NYC for Christmas.

    Reply
  • Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
    November 10, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    These are really great places to travel…except Disney! Don’t go there for Christmas…We live in Florida…it’s WAY too crowded. ๐Ÿ™‚ Our oldest is 18, and youngest is 12. We aren’t quite ready to travel away for the holidays yet, but we have talked about when our 12 year old no longer believes (we homeschool, and she has no way of knowing) that we would love to pack up for the holidays and go!

    Reply
  • Jeanette
    November 10, 2017 at 3:46 pm

    That sounds like a wonderful tradition. It is something that it sounds like you and your husband wanted to do before he passed. Your kids will remember so much more of the holidays with travel then they would have ever with the toys they get. I know I remember all the places we traveled but I hardly remember any of the toys I ever got at Christmas.

    Reply
  • Terri
    November 10, 2017 at 4:08 pm

    Girl, if you think NYC is a different type of cold there’s no way you can handle Canada in the winter. I’ve fortunately visited both in December in the past and they are certainly gorgeous. But the cold in Canada is no joke!

    Reply
  • Sarah Bailey
    November 10, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    I would love to do New York for Christmas and of course Disney is the dream isn’t it – I bet it is just so full of magic at Christmas time.

    Reply
  • Heather
    November 10, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    I always try and get in a hosted something or other when we go away. Even if it’s just a museum or a park, and sometimes we luck out!

    Reply
  • Sarah Honey
    November 10, 2017 at 10:35 pm

    What a fun family tradition. We traveled in the past but now we are enjoying staying home for the holidays!

    Reply
  • Tomi C
    November 10, 2017 at 10:37 pm

    One of my fave Christmas getaways was Lake Tahoe. It didn’t make your list. *sigh* Lake Tahoe is so beautiful at Christmastime… cold, but oh so beautiful. I’ve never been to NYC in the winter, I’d be up for it, but I just haven’t done it yet but I grew up in Indiana and Texas so I can definitely agree Santa Claus, IN and Grapevine, TX are excellent places to visit during the holidays.

    Reply
  • Jenn @ EngineerMommy
    November 11, 2017 at 12:46 am

    That is such a sweet holiday tradition. I have been wanting to visit some upstate areas and I think early December might be a great time to go. Its all about making the season magical for the kids.

    Reply
  • Glamamom
    November 11, 2017 at 2:43 am

    I absolutely love this idea. Giving the kids the gift of travel will broaden their perspectives and the memories last a lifetime!

    Reply
  • Lisa
    November 11, 2017 at 4:10 am

    I love that you took a situation and instead of feeling sad over the holidays you created a new tradition. I agree, NY is cold and would also be so crowded. I can’t wait to see what you pick.

    Reply
  • Rosemary Palmer
    November 11, 2017 at 12:18 pm

    We have an older son and not much family so we travel too. This year – Dallas for a Cowboys game. Last year was New Orleans – I would recommend that. Great weather, beautifully decorated hotels, easy to get around.

    Reply
  • Terri Beavers
    November 11, 2017 at 2:46 pm

    Oh wow, I’m also staying in Savannah for Christmas at the Old Harbour Inn. The kids are grown and I’m an empty nester so now is the time I can travel more. It’s the perfect thing to do for the holidays.

    Reply
  • Stacie
    November 11, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    Traveling for the holidays would be so foreign to me. I’m a stay close to family type of girl. But anytime after the new year, I’m game to go!

    Reply
  • Adrienne
    November 11, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    Great tips. As a frequent traveler myself, getting an early start makes the process much smoother. I’ll have to keep some of those places that you mentioned in my back hip pocket.

    Reply
  • Marliceia
    November 12, 2017 at 2:28 am

    I think this is an amazing tradition to start. We have our own family Christmas traditions as well. My mom and I love Savannah and she usually goes around Christmas every other year.

    Reply
  • Cheryl
    November 12, 2017 at 4:28 am

    Great list! I’ve been to Santa Claus, Indiana during the holidays and it really is so memorable. It’s fun finding all the Santa Clauses around along with cute Christmas-themed names.

    Reply
  • Mimi Green
    November 12, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    We traveled once for Christmas a few years back. We rented a big house in Deep Creek and 16 of us spent four days there. We brought all the gifts and went tubing and everything. It was a lie of fun.

    Iโ€™ve done NYC before Christmas and itโ€™s a beauty.

    Reply
  • Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen
    November 12, 2017 at 11:02 pm

    Taking a trip over the holidays is such a great idea and one I have contemplated myself. I hope we can take one next year. Thanks for the tips.

    Reply
  • Bohemian Babushka
    November 12, 2017 at 11:59 pm

    My children, The Trio are all grown up now, and it’s the trips NOT the toys they remember from their childhood. They plan to take The Grands to as many places as they can to make lifelong memories. Your children will always cherish the trips and you for the sacrifices you made. Enjoy your times and travels with them; it truly does go by quickly. BB2U

    Reply
  • Felecia Monique
    November 13, 2017 at 4:22 am

    I’ve been dying to take a little road trip to NYC. Christmas is the best time to do that. My son would love to do that!

    Reply
  • Bernetta
    November 13, 2017 at 4:33 am

    I love this idea. You have some great places I would love to try with my family for the holidays as well.

    Reply
  • Our Family World
    November 13, 2017 at 8:57 am

    I like your thinking. It is true that the kids will treasure experiences more than toys.Hopefully, they too will continue the tradition with their kids in the future. We’re staying put this holiday season because it will be my sister and her family who will be traveling here for our Christmas family get together party.

    Reply
  • Kiwi
    November 13, 2017 at 9:33 am

    I heard of Biltmore Estates and I am sure is it beautiful. That is goals and I hope thats where you choice ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  • Kasi
    November 13, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    These are some great tips for holiday travel! I vote Savannah! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  • Joanna
    November 13, 2017 at 2:26 pm

    I can’t even tell you which one to pick because I want to go to both. I’ve traveled during the holidays but we did Ocean City MD. It’s a beach town, but much cheaper off season. We couldn’t do a lot because all the fun stuff were closed, but we saw family and that was a plus.

    Reply
  • Tiffany H.
    November 13, 2017 at 5:06 pm

    I think this a great idea, memories last forever and things only last for so long. I vote for Savannah, as I hear its a great vacation spot to go to. I will be home in Los Angeles Ca, spending time with my family.

    Reply
  • Jamila
    November 14, 2017 at 3:40 am

    That’s a great tradition, experiences will most definitely last longer than any material item.

    Reply
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