The question...to travel or not at Christmas

I sat down and watched Four Christmases the other day and thought about vacationing over the holiday. I had to really ask myself if it would be worth it. There are the obvious pros and cons. The movie itself, staring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon, is about a couple who plans a vacation to tropical islands instead of spending the holidays with their families. A snowstorm foils their trip to Fiji, and what ensues is a tortuously humorous holiday, from getting pummeled by older brothers to being questioned for life choices. You know, the usual family drill…

First, the pros:

1. You’re on vacation. Because most offices are in holiday mode, there will be no conference calls to interrupt that grueling schedule of massages, poolside and sleep. Resorts pull out all the stops to relieve you from cooking, dish washing and cleaning….so sit back and relax.

2. Expense. Let’s face it, plane tickets and gas prices are expensive everywhere. And while the price of travel is expected to marginally increase in 2017, if you’re able to fly on Christmas Eve or Day, prices are often lower. Anything after Christmas becomes part of New Year’s travel, and prices skyrocket. Also, if you’re bold enough to play the Scrooge, not being home for the holidays means no gift exchange, and hence more to spend on your vacation.

3. No family drama. The holiday is on your terms. Skipping the trip home means no holiday travel delays, no over-served relatives, and no awkward silence with siblings, wondering how you ever grew up in the same house. In every family, there are always those relatives you can never win over, no matter what you do. Christmas with some families can set you back years in therapy.

And then, the cons:

1. Loneliness can set in. Holidays on the road can be soulless. Your hotel may be welcoming, but you’re away from holiday gifts, gingerbread houses and competitive card games. While the hotel might have a killer seafood buffet, it’s tough to beat Mom’s eggnog and the sweet smell of the Christmas tree.

2. The guilt. Don’t think that you’re going to get away without a guilt trip for not coming back for the holidays. Be ready to endure mention of it for many years to come. Also, becoming part of the Four Christmases’ club can be a slippery slope. You may never want to come back.

3. No family drama. Drama is part of the beauty of being with family, and you’re missing out on it if you’re not around. From the inappropriate behavior, heated political discussions and overly competitive games of Monopoly, family drama contributes to the stories that will have you laughing all year. Sometimes those things that haunt us about spending time with family over the holidays are the things that are most enduring.

It’s a hard one, that’s for sure…. Travel gives us experience that is priceless but so does family…Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.