I wasn't trying to be politically correct in using the term "holidays" because my question really does include both the Thanksgiving and especially the Christmas holidays while being a snowbird.This will be our 4th winter going south. Initially we left on February 1st, then mid-January, and last year we left December 30th. This year we plan to leave sometime right after Christmas as long as the nice weather holds up. But now we're starting to face the dilemma of leaving even earlier. (It's always nice to travel in warmer/dryer conditions.) It's a dilemma because of the holidays and family obligations/relations, etc. And as many of our snowbird friends have noted; first it's a couple of months and eventually it will be 6 months in the south.Not sure we'll get to the 6 month snowbird experience, but without making a return trip for at least Christmas how do you all handle being away from family during the holiday period? It's not so much how we will deal with it, but I'm more concerned about our 2 kids (in their 30's & not married - no grandkids) and my nephew & his family that are more or less like our kids. I want to break the news to them that we're thinking of heading south in November or possibly right after Thanksgiving. How have your family members handled it? How do you handle it? Do you just have your Christmas celebration at Thanksgiving or in between? How about just sending money as a Christmas present and being done with it? At our age (mid-60s) we are not as excited about the Christmas experience as we once were. It seems that it's becoming a more stressful time of the year for us and we'd prefer to just get away from it all and enjoy a warmer more relaxing climate. Are we alone with this line of thought?

You have to be a bit selfish. You've devoted your entire lives to your family, and now it should be your turn. And yes, travelling in October is much preferrable to December.

At 30 years of age If your kids and nephew haven't figured out what to do for Christmas for themselves and by themselves they never will.If they really miss you that much let them make arrangements to come to you otherwise Skype or Facetime will suffice. Go and enjoy yourself. At some point the kids need to stand on their OWN 2 feet and make there own path without you.

We left for Florida the end of October, good time to travel. We are back in NH now for the holidays but have informed all the family that next year we will only come back for Thanksgiving and if they want to celebrate Christmas that week that will be fine but after that we will be gone. Like 2oldman says it your time and you need to enjoy it.

Tell them that the salt is eating everything under your rig and for them to watch for the brown suited Santa bearing gifts. . Seriously though I have looked at RVs in Michigan that were owned by people who left after Christmas and the rust was terrible. It's not an in depth study but an RV has nothing as far as rust protection compared to our modern vehicles. We leave mich in the early fall and make it a smooth transition from summer to a warmish winter. We only have so much time left to enjoy our years. Maybe they could fly down and party with you where its warmer.

I have to agree with 2oldman and say travel when the weather is still OK. I left upstate NY in mid October, and will return in April. I do have the advantage that my daughter & grandkids were in Botswana for the last 4 years, currently live 500 miles from home, so they can't complain about me being away. They also have an open invitation to join me where ever I'm parked...

Handling the Holiday(s) | Good Sam Community

29 Replies

pawatt
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
We leave mid Oct, Return Mid May. There are many ways to connect with family without being there. We had friends that flew home for 2 weeks every Winter for Christmas, In the 2 weeks they only saw the kids and grandkids for a few hours. They no longer fly home for Christmas but communicate nearly daily by Social Media.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 05, 2015
As sdianel stated above...consider giving them plane fare for their Christmas gift (you can get good deals if purchased early) and have them visit you in a warmer place than Michigan.

Consider what exactly your 'at home' holidays consist of. Is it a meal and gift exchange or do they spend many days with you. They're 30+ years old. Perhaps they'd like a break, too.

We lived in Michigan also when we began full-timing. One year we just left the RV in Gulf Shores and drove back with only the vehicle for the holidays. We had absolute terrible weather going and returning. The kids were working and that time of year was hectic for them with gift shopping, wrapping, parties they wanted to attend and added meal planning for us. We didn't do that again. We were relieved and I think they were, too.

The older we get the less enthused we are about the holidays and all the pressure the stores put on everyone. That's not the reason it should be celebrated. Doing so much simplier makes you feel better. Perhaps suggest that they volunteer at serving meals for the less fortunate to fill in the time.

Good luck with your decision.
sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
there are many families that aren't together during the holidays. My son and his family live in OK and we are in Florida during the holidays due to doctor appointments. We call them on the holiday and mail their Christmas packages to them. They do the same for us. I'm sure they would rather have us there but they understand it's not possible. How about giving your children travel gifts and meet them somewhere? When we went full time we only had one child that voiced an objection. The same child that voiced an objection when we were transferred out of state for work. Sometimes you have to do what's best for you. Talk to them and tell them how much it means to you.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Dec 05, 2015
As someone who spent years as a single adult in a small family, I will say it can be depressing to have that small family not gather for the holidays - it's not like you have a family of your own to share it with. And, while there are friends who will usually be happy to invite you to share their holidays, it can be awkward and uncomfortable as a bystander to someone else's family gathering.

So, having said that, I recommend being honest with the "kids". Simply tell them that you'd like to head south earlier this year, but that would mean you'll miss Christmas with them.

You'll likely one or more of the following responses:

1. That's great! I was thinking of going to xxxx, but didn't want to disappoint you.

2. I wish you could be here with us, but you deserve to do what you want. Go and have fun.

3. What am I supposed to do? Just sit in my apartment all alone? How could you be so selfish!?!?!?

4. That's fine. I'd prefer to work and get the overtime.

5. Whatever.

6. Great. I really want to have Christmas at my house.

Deal with the responses according to the emotion behind them. And then go on your trip and enjoy yourselves.
vermilye
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2015
I have to agree with 2oldman and say travel when the weather is still OK. I left upstate NY in mid October, and will return in April. I do have the advantage that my daughter & grandkids were in Botswana for the last 4 years, currently live 500 miles from home, so they can't complain about me being away. They also have an open invitation to join me where ever I'm parked...
azrving
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
Tell them that the salt is eating everything under your rig and for them to watch for the brown suited Santa bearing gifts. . Seriously though I have looked at RVs in Michigan that were owned by people who left after Christmas and the rust was terrible. It's not an in depth study but an RV has nothing as far as rust protection compared to our modern vehicles.

We leave mich in the early fall and make it a smooth transition from summer to a warmish winter.

We only have so much time left to enjoy our years. Maybe they could fly down and party with you where its warmer.
JW_of_Opechee_S
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
We left for Florida the end of October, good time to travel. We are back in NH now for the holidays but have informed all the family that next year we will only come back for Thanksgiving and if they want to celebrate Christmas that week that will be fine but after that we will be gone. Like 2oldman says it your time and you need to enjoy it.
Lantley
Nomad
Dec 05, 2015
At 30 years of age If your kids and nephew haven't figured out what to do for Christmas for themselves and by themselves they never will.
If they really miss you that much let them make arrangements to come to you otherwise Skype or Facetime will suffice.
Go and enjoy yourself. At some point the kids need to stand on their OWN 2 feet and make there own path without you.
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2015
You have to be a bit selfish. You've devoted your entire lives to your family, and now it should be your turn.

And yes, travelling in October is much preferrable to December.

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Handling the Holiday(s)

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