We've all seen the movies with the harried dad, the overwhelmed mother, and the stressed out kids trying to enjoy the "perfect" Christmas vacation with generations of loved ones. Inevitably, chaos and bedlam ensue and the entire holiday is "nearly" ruined.
With a little planning (and a lot of patience and love), your Christmas vacation doesn't have to be like that.
Many families live far from one another and plan to celebrate the holidays together on vacation. So, how do you organize a family reunion Christmas vacation that everyone will enjoy?
Follow these helpful steps to plan the perfect family reunion Christmas vacation.
1. Set the Date and Budget for your Christmas Vacation
Given that the Christmas season is busy for everyone, you'll want to choose a date in advance around scheduling conflicts. For some families, this means gathering in November, December or early January.
How to Choose the Date:
Coordinate with key family members, especially those who may need to travel long distances.
Determine if everyone is available for the same length of time, from a long weekend to a full week.
Factor in travel time for out-of-town family members. If you’re planning to have guests fly, try to ensure there’s enough time for everyone to arrive and depart without rush.
Once the date is set, you’ll need to establish a budget to ensure the vacation is affordable for everyone.
Tips for Budgeting:
Perhaps grandparents want to treat everyone to an attraction or lodging, and then split the remaining costs. Or, some activities may be optional.
Check for group rates for attractions.
Consider having each group pay for their own lodging with options to meet their needs. For instance, hotels for singles, and VRBO locations for family groups.
2. Choose the Perfect Destination
Choosing the right location is key. The destination will determine the types of activities you can do, the accommodations needed, and the general atmosphere of the holiday.
Family-Friendly Christmas Destinations:
Centrally Located Cities or Towns: If possible choose a location that is as central as possible for everyone. We planned a family reunion in Omaha, Nebraska to accommodate relatives in Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri. This worked out perfectly to be almost the same driving distance for everyone.
State Parks: Many state parks offer a variety of lodging choices including lodges with rooms to rent, RV spots, and cabins in various sizes. On our Omaha family reunion, we stayed at Eugene Mahoney State Park and rented cabins in one cul-de-sac in the park. Each small group rented their cabin and we were all neighbors. This was a great way for everyone to have their own space, and be close at the same time. You'll also find many state parks have sledding, snow sports, ice skating, and other programs for the family. For instance, Eugene Mahoney, offers sledding, ice skating, winter hikes, and proximity to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha (with beautiful Christmas lights).
Mountain Resorts or Ski Lodges: Winter sports like skiing or snowboarding at a mountain resort can offer a festive atmosphere with plenty of outdoor activities.
Beach Getaways: A tropical or beachside destination can be great for those wanting a break from cold weather.
Christmas Towns and Small Towns: Several cities and towns are famous for their decorations, parades, and Christmas markets.
Renting a Large Cabin or House: If you have a large family, consider renting a private cabin or large house for everyone to stay together.
Hotels and Resorts: Some family reunions opt for a hotel or resort that provides shared spaces, such as meeting rooms or ballrooms for large family gatherings, as well as individual rooms for each family unit.
Vacation Rentals: Websites like Booking.com or Vrbo offer a wide range of vacation homes, from cozy cottages to large homes that fit large families, making it easy to find accommodations suited to your group size.
Make sure to book accommodations as early as possible, especially if you’re traveling during the busy holiday season.
3. Plan Holiday Activities for All Ages
Create memories on your family Christmas vacation with a few activities everyone can enjoy.
Holiday Activity Ideas:
Game Night: Play classic board games and party games together. Telestrations, Scattergories, Ransom Notes, Spoof, Apples to Apples, Balderdash, Clue Conspiracy, Ticket to Ride, Taboo, and classic card games are just a few of our favorites. Check out this round-up of our favorite Family Reunion Games for more ideas.
Gift Exchange: Plan a Christmas gift exchange with a fun twist—try doing a Secret Santa exchange or a White Elephant gift game.
Adopt a Family: Instead of exchanging gifts with relatives, work together to prepare gifts for foster children or a family in need. Doing Good Together is an organization that can help match families.
Holiday Movie Marathon: Watch classic Christmas movies together complete with popcorn, hot chocolate, and cozy blankets. Home Alone, Elf, Christmas in Connecticut, It's a Wonderful Life, I Heard the Bells, Star, Mickey's Christmas Carol, Frosty the Snowman, The Santa Clause, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer are a few of our favorites.
Winter Outdoor Activities: Our family enjoys sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, building snowmen, and going on winter hikes.
Baking Cookies: Collect favorite recipes and spend an afternoon baking and decorating together.
Christmas Crafts: Set up a crafting station where everyone can make ornaments, holiday cards, or DIY gifts. You can find craft kits to purchase online for the entire family.
Holiday Lights Tour: Many places have amazing Christmas light displays in neighborhoods or at local parks. Consider organizing a group outing to enjoy these twinkling lights.
Gingerbread House Decorating: Purchase a gingerbread village kit that allows each family member to construct a house, or make them out of graham crackers.
Candy Cane Hunt: Purchase a variety of candy canes and hide them for the children to find. Give each child a paper sack to collect their treats.
Get To Know You Games: Play Family Reunion Bingo to get to know one another better.
Or, use Table Topics at mealtime for more "getting to know you" questions.
Photo Station: Set up a holiday-themed photo booth with props for fun pictures.
Attractions: Consider visiting a theme park, taking in a show, or visiting a holiday event.
Be sure to tailor activities to the ages and interests of your family members.
4. Plan Meals and Holiday Feasts
Whether you’re planning to cook your meals or enjoy dining out, making sure there’s a plan in place for meals is key.
Meal Planning Tips:
Order Christmas Dinner: Consider ordering from a local restaurant or caterer. Take a note from the McCallisters and order pizza - but order enough to share and make sure everyone gets a slice.
Eat at a Restaurant: If your vacation lasts multiple days, eat at restaurants or choose a hotel with breakfast to relieve some of the work.
Traditional Christmas Dish Group Potluck: Assign different family members to prepare specific dishes i.e. turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce for Christmas dinner.
Appetizers for Dinner Potluck: Have everyone choose a favorite appetizer to share and have apps for supper. Ask everyone to share what they'll be bringing to make sure the meal is balanced and includes vegetables, meat, and sweets. Also, make sure there are no duplicates.
Cook Together: Make mealtime fun by getting everyone involved in the cooking process. Create a cooking competition inspired by your favorite Food Network show. We have recreated Cutthroat Kitchen many times over the years.
Christmas Around the World Potluck: Choose Christmas dishes from other countries (tamales from Mexico, cookies from Italy), and create an around-the-world meal.
Taco Bar, Baked Potato Bar, or Soups and Sandwich Bar: Create a build-your-own meal with ingredients for a favorite. I use these tools to determine ingredients: Taco Bar Calculator, and Potato Bar Calculator.
5. Stay Organized and Communicate
When planning a family reunion Christmas vacation, be sure to communicate the plan with the family.
Communication Tips:
Create a Family Group Chat: Use messaging apps like WhatsApp or GroupMe to keep all family members updated on the details and any last-minute changes.
Distribute Information: Email menus, schedules, and packing lists so everyone knows what to expect. Be sure to include "down time" in the schedule.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Whether you're skiing in the mountains, relaxing at a state park, enjoying a beach retreat, or a quaint Christmasy town, your Christmas vacation will become a special memory for the entire family.
Do you have favorite tips to add to our list? Share in the comments below.
Christmas Vacation Inspiration:
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