Guest TRACEY & PETER Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 what does everyone think, is it better or worse? we are half way through our summer holidays and just like the last 2 years the weather isnt being very kind to us :mask:, but how does everyone feel about having the kids off at a very busy time for us mums, when we are trying to get everything ready for the big day, buying pressie, wrapping the lot up and getting the shopping in order, its hard enough with out having all the kids at home, if you are already there, lucky you, but how does it work and if like me not yet there what are you thoughts, i only thought about it the other day when i was welling to bash all my boys, ok it was a rainy crap english day but even sooooooooooooooo:arghh: well please tell all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawny Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 We have always said, that the way british summers are the last few years, they should cut it down to 4 weeks and add extra on after Christmas making that a longer break! Holidays in the uk for kids are so expensive when its wet weather, You can Either spend loads on a day out or leave the kids to fester in front of games consoles or the tv, Not much fun so know wonder the kids after the 2nd week are so bored!! Raining again here today and forecast again for tomorrow, oh joy!!!!!! At least in oz over the xmas holidays, while we are busy sorting every thing, the kids can be out side doing their own thing, in the sun shine!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Emcooper Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 the kids only break up a couple of wks before christmas anyways, if that even, theyve got all of January to play with all the great chrissie prezzies theyve got. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TRACEY & PETER Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 thats what i think about paying with or doing what they have for chistmas, we have just got an remote plan out of the box bought at chistmas, went to the park the other day thankfully one dry day had arrived and the boys loved it , its august and we have just playedwith it how wierd is that, that wont happen in oz, half the kids toys/games dont get played with because they just dont get the time after christmas, wow bring in on I cant wait, i so want to be out for xmas fingers crossed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mandisfam Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 Hi, I have always thought they should take away some of the summer holiday, and add it on a christmas. I personally dont think 2 weeks is long enough at christmas, what with christmas day itself and visiting family etc the 2 weeks just fly by and my children are never ready for school in january, too tired from the holidays. So I always thought they should make it 4 weeks long at Christmas and 4 weeks in the Summer. As to the summer holidays in oz, well, I am all for the long break at christmas and summer.....surely its got to be more fun for them. By the way, we have had a beautiful day here in North Yorkshire, in fact we got the paddling pool out this afternoon....but rain is forecast for tomorrow....( Mandisfam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelWaring Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 In NSW the schools only break up a few days before Christmas, never two weeks before. Some places have two Christmases, I think Christmas in July first started in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney as a boost to tourism during the snow season, many hotels have Christmas Dinners throughout July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 Personally I think it's great, the kids break up a few days before xmas, but it's also the end of the school year too so quite exciting. At our school all the kids gather outside for 'countdown', (from 10 - 1), the siren goes all the hats go up in the air and it's a great way to start the holidays. The extra time off means that they get a great opportunity to play with stuff they've got over xmas and the weather is great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cazi Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I love it, but then my kids are older now, but still enjoy it. We still decorate and have a real tree, our traditional meal on Christmas eve etc. But then on Christmas day we have a large seafood lunch with lobster, prawns, scollops, oysters etc by the pool which has become a new family tradition (we all love seafood!!) and then more traditional food (if anyone is still hungry!) in the evening. I love it, although shopping is still a bit strange with everyone walking around in tee shirts and thongs, with Christmas carols blaring out at every turn. But hey, its what you make it. I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sus Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 Hi, I miss the UK structure of the long summer holiday and Christmas holiday. It breaks the year up and gives you two times of the year to look forward to. Here it's just Christmas and a 'winter break'. Despite Australia's reputation of a barbie on the beach at Christmas, I have found that alot of Aussie family's still have the traditional roast turkey at Christmas in honour of grandma/pa who grew up with it before they came to australia. Of course it's pretty stifling inside and out but it's tradition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 The only thing I do not like about it is the expense. Not only have you Christmas pressies to by, but it is also your annual holiday, and prices for hotels etc are doubled sometimes tripled. Then you have the new school uniform to buy, school books etc. Kate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 So used to it do not think about it and think I would miss it if we did not have the break at Christmas, not that it affects me any longer. All the factories and building sites usually close down over the holiday as well so that everyone knows that you cannot get tradies and things done in this period. Also everyone gets to go away with their children if they want to. We always have Christmas dinner with an Aus twist, i e salads as well as hot buffet style. That way when brother is late as usual it does not matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelWaring Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I don't know why they have Christmas in December when the shops are so busy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TRACEY & PETER Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 when ever chistmas was through the year the shops would be busy, i hate busy shops and normally start shopping early, but this year becouse we are not sure where we will be i want be doing much shopping, we have told the boys that christmas will be the same but if still in uk, it will be without the pile of pressies and they will all get a few bits and money to buy what they want when we get to oz, its very hard though, they are only still young. but bring it on i cant wait to get there and they are very excited now they know the house is going up for sale they can see its going to happen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pau1evs Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 i cant wait my kids are having a lilo blown up can c there faces now !!!!! having the summer hols must b fab to play with there stuff last year my kids had new bikes for xmas think they had been on them about 3 times by march xxxxxdo the kids then start big school in february Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racht Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 All this Xmas talk has got me excited!!! Cant wait for my 1st Aussie Xmas now. Our friends are over from the UK with their 3 kids, should be fantastic. One word about the original question about being a busy time for mums. Target have just had their winter toy sale. You go, pick all the toys you want for the kids, take it to the lay-by counter and they store it for you until 24th December! You only need to pay a deposit (possibly 10% not sure on exact amount). I paid for nearly all of ours as I figured it means I will have less to pay out at Xmas. Not only that, when my 3 year old asked about the toys, (Target put them in plastic sacks in front of you to go into their store room) I said they were being sent to Father Christmas for him to wrap up and decide which ones he could have. No more needed hiding places! My kids Xmas shopping was done in July and I dont even have to store it - GREAT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 In Queensland the xmas break for govt schools this year is from Saturday 12 December 2009 to Tuesday 26 January 2010. It varies all over Australia as education is run by the state govts. Private school kids often get a 7-8 week xmas break (their school day is longer to pay for it) - eg. Saturday 5 December to Tuesday 27th January Most British I have spoken to have found it very hard to get used to an Australian xmas. It is hot, does not "feel" like xmas to them, and family is not around, so they usually feel a bit flat. For some it gets better as they get more used to it and build up their life here. I grew up spending most of the xmas holidays riding my bike or playing war in the bush with my mates though I guess xbox wars are more common these days. My mum made sure our house was built with a downstairs shower so I could be decontaminted as soon as I stepped inside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelWaring Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 I saw an advert running on the new sets in our local TV store. It showed a couple of adults enjoying the latest and greatest wide screen TV with all the bells and whistles, outside on the lawn were their kids having an even more fantastic time playing with the huge cardboard box that it came in. Isn't that what Christmas is about, kids playing with cardboard boxes and wrapping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyhus Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 we flew over jan 5th this year container had gone, so my 2 boys got chocolate to open and eat (yipee) and money, when they got over here jan sales were on and they had another 4 weeks holiday to settle in before school so they went out and had money to spend on whatever they liked. Sea every day on the beach. i liked it but we will see this year. What is there to complain about hot, beaches, food, the only thing i think i will miss is the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcocainmel Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 The long break at Christmas is great. They only break up a few days before hand (the same time as the UK schools) so most bits for Christmas are done anyway. Then they have till beginning of Feb to play with there bits from Christmas and the weather is great too!! Deb xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.