Choosing to Travel at Christmas to Visit Family or Friends

Over the last two decades, traveling at Christmas was something we have always considered. You see, we moved away from the main family group about 13 years ago, and even before that there was the question of traveling from far away states during the college years.

We understand it was our decision to move away. We did make sure though, that before we left, that we could return fairly often, or at least during Christmas. In doing so, we learned a lot over the years and have changed up our plans and how we look at things.

As you likely know, to travel anytime by flying or driving long distances just costs a lot of money. In a hard financial time for the whole country, it seems to be harder than ever. Do you go into debt to travel to see family, or not? We have done that. In some ways, we are still paying for it, but we wouldn't change that.

For instance, my Father died this last year, much sooner than we expected he would, at 67. You can imagine that every moment spent was worth it to be with him. Also, any time for the kids to get to be with grandparents and cousins, aunts and uncles are treasured times for sure. I wouldn't change a thing.

Now however, now that my boys are much older, we are staying home more at Christmas. It is like a whole new era, you could say. When we go to visit family, we may go in the Summer time, or they may come to visit us as well. Its a give and take thing. We also have to make hard calls, like this year we neither went to California (where I am from) for the Summer, OR for Christmas. We had an opportunity to see another part of the country we had never seen before. There is always something to give up, to gain another good thing. I wish it weren't that way.

I guess the bottom line that I have gone by, and that I have not regretted, is the going with my gut, and going with what seems like I would regret the least of all. I bounce things off my husband of course, and he does the same with me. Maybe we could cut more corners on a regular basis and go out to see people more. That is another option. Never let others make you feel badly though, whatever you decide. Your own family is the most important that you have to look out for. People will either understand or not, but you can only do what you can do.

One thing that helps me, is to take a lot of pictures, making a lot of memories. Life is just so precious, and we all can only do what we can do. You have to make the wisest decisions in regards to travel, then be content and enjoy whatever you have chosen. I believe that life circumstances and our intuitive natures can help us to know if we need to change things up a little bit.

I will always be thankful for any time spent with my family over the years. I love them all, and friends are right up there. There are so many ways to stay in touch now, more than ever, so we can visit in other ways perhaps. That way, people don't feel like such strangers when you DO get together, and you can also just maximize the times that you all do have together. Whether family or friends, we are on this journey all together and taking the time to travel is a gift you can give to others, and vice versa. Make sure to thank those that do come your way, they may have sacrificed a lot!

We will be home this Christmas, it will be a small gathering, just the four of us. Later, we will see my Parents that live here. The next day, we will be driving up to see the other set of parents, and I feel so blessed to have what I have. So thankful for family. For my Dad that passed away this year, we will miss you dearly.

My best wishes to you and yours as you travel or stay home this Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!