If you’re spending this Christmas in a big holiday house with your nearest and dearest, you must be getting quite excited by now. The festive holiday is only a few weeks away and the run up has already begun with Light Switch Ons, Christmas Fayres and Markets, and Christmas Tree Festivals. So, now’s the time to start planning for the perfect Christmas in your large group holiday cottage. How wonderful it will be!
What could make the festive season more special than spending it in a lovely country cottage with the people you love most in the world? It’s such a joy to be able to gather together with loved ones any time of year, but doing so at Christmas is very, very special. It’s a luxury we shouldn’t take for granted because for some, it’s not even an option.
Focussing on magical moments spent with those who are close to you is key, but with a big bunch of people, it can be overwhelming, especially if you have all ages to think about. The trick is not to be daunted, to stay calm and have lots up your sleeve to keep everyone happy. So, we’ve put together a list that will hopefully give you some ideas and inspiration to make your big Christmas together the best yet.
Pre-Arrival:
1. Share the Work
You’ve got a big group of you going away for Christmas, it takes some organising, that’s a fact. It’s too much for one person, so don’t be afraid to share tasks. One of you can plan an outing, someone else book a pub lunch, plan a walk or an evening’s entertainment. Put someone in charge of the music, organising the table decorations, the sleeping arrangements. And, as below, share the food; you get the veg, you get the turkey, you get the pudding, you get the mince pies, that kind of thing. Many hands make light work, and it should all come together to make your Christmas holiday run smoothly.
2. Food
Here’s where you’ll need to be really organised, because popping out to the shops for things you’ve forgotten won’t be so easy this time of year. The best thing to do is get together with a couple of other people in your group and make a list. Then order a grocery drop well in advance or place an order with a local farm shop - several have their own butchery and raise their own turkeys, make their own pies and ready to cook food, and have a jolly good cheese counter. Share the shopping and the cost to make things easier.
3. Decorations
When you arrive at your holiday cottage you should expect a wreath on the door and a beautifully decorated tree; if you want to bring more, check with the owner first. It’s not usually a problem provided you don’t stick things to paintwork and furnishings - think swags and garlands, table displays and twinkly lights. You can even set aside time to make decorations with the kids, paint fir cones collected from the woods, cut out paper angels, hang baked treats from the tree.
4. Presents
Will you bring gifts with you already wrapped (think of room in the car) or will you go Xmas shopping when you’ve arrived? There are usually craft fayres, Christmas markets and pop-up events where you can buy gifts, many of them made locally. You might fancy browsing the local town or heading to the nearest city for a day’s festive shopping; it’s good to get caught up in the buzz – it raises the Christmas spirit. Back at your holiday house you can spend an evening wrapping presents and putting them under the tree, filling the stockings and hanging them up.
During Your Stay:
1. Play Games
Christmas is a time for games, so gather round the table and play board games or cards, or make your own – instead of Simon Says, play Santa Says; don’t play pin the tail on the donkey, play pin the star on the tree. Put the festive tunes on and play Christmas musical statues, use the whole house for hide and seek or hunt the festive parcel.
2. Dress up
Whatever you do, don’t forget your Christmas jumpers! Bring Santa hats and reindeer antlers, or maybe you’ve got a full-on Christmas outfit, so you can make like Santa, an elf, or the Grinch! Bring your glad rags for the big day, something sparkly and super festive, have a prize for the best Christmas outfit.
3. Watch a Christmas Movie
It’s got to be done! Stream your favourite Xmas movies and get snuggly for a family movie night – what will it be? Elf, The Grinch Finds Christmas, A Christmas Carol? Pass big bowls of popcorn around, tuck into festive flavoured crisps, take a break for drinks and hot sausage rolls or mince pies.
4. Activities
Before you even start packing for your Christmas away, see what’s on in the local area, get out there and be a part of that big festive vibe; take the kids to see Santa, go carol singing, go to a Christingle service, maybe a festive workshop. Lots of places are open between Christmas and new Year for things like go-karting, trampolining, climbing and escape rooms, or something that’s not even going to cost you anything – go for a winter walk. Yes, it’s cold, but wrap up in warms coats, hats and scarves and get out and enjoy the crisp winter air. Go for a stroll in the fields, through the woods, look out for nature, hear robins singing, who knows, you might even spot a deer or a fox. Go back to your holiday house with rosy cheeks, light the fire and gather round with a tray of hot buttery toast and mugs of hot chocolate. Perfect or what?
5. Events
Depending on how long your large group Christmas holiday is, you might be able to fit in an event or two. Check out what’s going on the area and plan your visits – you might want to see a pantomime, for one thing. Down here in the West Country there are usually Hunt Meets on is Boxing Day in the town squares; some see it as a very English tradition and the crowds gather to watch and support them, or to show their disapproval.
The Big Days:
Christmas Eve
This is such a magical time, one for family traditions like wearing matching jim-jams, opening a Christmas Eve Box, giving books, reading Christmas poems, or even ghost stories – all have gained popularity in recent years. Keep them going at your holiday house, it’s all part of the fun. Get yourselves cosy to watch a Christmas movie, play a few Christmas games or have a festive quiz – backed up with plenty of mulled wine, mince pies and snacks, of course.
If you want to go to a local carol service, Christingle or nativity, check out what’s on at the churches nearby and make sure they’ve got room for you all. Other ideas for Christmas Eve are baking during the day – iced Christmas biscuits, mince pies and sausage rolls; go out and see the Christmas lights in the local towns and villages, or if you book well ahead, go to a country pub for lunch – the atmosphere will be great – a roaring log fire, twinkly lights, mistletoe, and lots of festive cheer all round.
Christmas Dinner
Christmas dinner is a BIG thing to cook for lots of people, so any way of making it easier is good. You could start early by prepping the day before, and be sure to delegate jobs; rope everyone in with an assigned task - peeling the potatoes, making the stuffing, doing the bread sauce, prepping the pigs in blankets, getting the veg ready. Make the mood merry by popping non some Christmas music and wearing Santa hats. You could even go one step further and set the table the day before too – huh, no flies on you!
When it comes to the big day, sharing the cooking for each course is a good idea, and of course, it’s essential that you all muck in to help clear the table, load the dishwasher and wash any pots and pans that need a bit more attention.
Bear in mind that certain things can be bought already prepped, like pigs in blankets, stuffing and bread sauce; local butchers and farm shops usually have this kind of thing, but you will need to order in advance.
Some people find it easier to have their Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day, leaving them free to enjoy the big day without having to cook. It’s a thought – that way you can take your time over the present opening and have a festive buffet instead. Swap the days about!
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is traditionally time for a big spread, a buffet with all the bells and whistles, including any left-over turkey from your Christmas dinner. It’s also a good day to get outdoors and walk off some of that excess! Apart from that, it’s when you carry on enjoying yourselves, playing those games, watching more movies, and just loving the luxury of being together for a very special Christmas.
And there it is. Our thoughts on how to have a wonderful Christmas in your large group holiday house. We hope you found it useful, but now it’s over to you… Plan well and stay calm; it’s gonna be good.
