Christmas on a Campsite
Hi everyone,
I hope you are all looking forward to the upcoming holiday season! Is anyone going away in their caravan or motorhomes?
This year there may be a few members going away for the first time over Christmas so I thought who better to ask for advice than our experienced community members, many of whom may well have spent a festive period or two on a campsite.
If you've ever been away in your caravan or motorhome over Christmas, I'd love to hear about your experiences. Do you have any advice on:
Preparation: How did you prepare your caravan/motorhome for the winter weather? Any specific maintenance tips?
Decoration: How did you manage to bring the holiday spirit into a limited space? Are there any compact decorations you can recommend?
Cooking: What's your approach to cooking Christmas dinner in a small kitchen area? Any favourite recipes that work well in a caravan setting?
Activities: What kind of activities did you do while on site? Any local attractions or events worth visiting?
Any other tips or suggestions for someone embarking on their first Christmas caravanning or motorhoming experience would also be greatly appreciated.
Looking forward to hearing your stories and advice!
Comments
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We've been going away for Christmas for quite a few years now and thoroughly enjoy it. I don't think we've ever had freezing weather - but rain - yes - lots of it. We learned the hard way that staying on a CL with only grass pitches was not appropriate at that time of year! We have therefore been going to Sandringham Club site for the last four years or so - and it's magical. The Wardens really enter into the spirit of things and if it stands still on the site - there are fairy lights attached to it! Even their tractor and trailer are decorated as Santa's sleigh for the Christmas morning bin emptying session
We've even had an email from them this year inviting us to take part in their 'Best Decorated Pitch' competition.In terms of decoration, as well as the usual lights, I have one of those 'Dreamchaser' light poles - which when compressed doesn't take up much space in the van and also an outside projector which illuminates the side of the van with moving festive images.
We cook as we would at home but we make sure we are taking the steamer with us for the veg - just needs a bit of organising and pre-planning to make best use of the space. I think it's the one time an awning is absolutely essential since it effectively becomes a kitchen extension for unused pots and pans etc.
And - no - we don't bother going to try and get a glimpse of the Royals at church on Christmas day. Although ardent royalists, can't see any point standing there with two thousand others - well behind barriers - just to catch a glimpse when we can watch it later on the telly.
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Thank you Richardand Ros - you obviously enjoy Christmas there. Could you please say a little more about what happens there as I can’t find reviews from people who have been there at that time of year.
Are there any sociable, communal, get together activities? A heated marquee perhaps with music and a pop up bar? And if something like a hog roast outside is not possible there might be a range of visiting food vans? Or big quantities of hot mulled wine for cold nights. A indoor quiz night might perhaps go well, or competitions, or even games of some sort might be possible - though I suppose fireworks and a bonfire are too much to expect with dogs present on the site.
Or do members just sit in their own caravans for the 16 hours of darkness per night? Please tell us more. Is it fun?
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ET - OK - I recognise your humorous comments! We had to cancel last year (because of health issues, I think), but we were last there in '21. The Wardens laid on a get together on Christmas Eve, providing wine and nibbles and used the Reception area and outside (fortunately, it was dry). It was very well attended and it was just nice to chat with everyone else there. Nearly everyone had made an effort to decorate their vans and the site did look quite spectacular.
It sort of set the atmosphere for the whole of the Christmas week and everyone around the site was very chatty and friendly - unlike some of our previous experiences on CAMC sites where perhaps the only time someone comes to speak is just as you're leaving and attempting to hitch up!
As far as other activities are concerned, I thought the Christmas Eve 'get together' was a very kind and generous gesture by the Wardens since they had clearly funded it themselves and gone to a lot of trouble to prepare the food - and it would be a bit unfair to expect them to do anything more.
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we do tour all year but like to have Christmas with the family...but we do like to be away with pals for New Year...
however, it is imperative we find somewhere with 'life' which means a town or city where there are things going without expecting anyone on site to sort something...
weve done Broadway (featured on tv last night), Bristol, Bath and recently, Henley on Thames which is a buzzing place with lots of hostelries and eating places, so much atmosphere.
then there is the site, which has a bar, a restaurant etc so always folk about.
give us weeks of sunshine somewhere and we're happy to spend some time on the pitch just relaxing and soaking up the weather but for Christmas or new year we like to be able to reach civilisation easily.
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We’ve never been away over actual Xmas period in an outfit, but we have in cottages.
We used to go to Castleton Club Site just before Xmas with friends years ago. You just have to be prepared for all sorts of weather, including snow, take good quality outdoor gear to keep you warm and dry, utilise whatever cooking facilities you need to give you the meals you like, no hard and fast rules as everyone is different. Castleton was a lovely visit because the village does great Xmas lights, there are a good choice of pubs/ cafes, the Caverns are usually open and run events, but best of all, you can do a lot of the fantastic walks with a lot less folks around. (If you are fit enough) Christmas Day is often the best day for getting out, walking, cycling, as the roads, etc…. are very quiet. When we had our horse, we used to borrow another and spend the day out on horseback just revelling in it being such a quiet day.
We wouldn’t be bothered about on site communal events, loathe fireworks with or without an animal companion of any kind. Nice to share a long chin wag with friends inside a warm van, but we would probably be outside walking, cycling on Christmas Day if we got the chance.
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I have always fancied a walk along a beach on Christmas Day. Unfortunately Milton Keynes is probably one of the furthest places from the sea in the UK! Could go to Cromer where the beach is an easy walk from the site. Could even have a Christmas meal in the restaurant but not sure forced bonhomie with people you don't know is really our thing, might be different if you went with people you know? As we get older I suspect the draw of a comfy home with everything at hand overrides the enthusiasm for being out in the van? Clearly some people do enjoy having Christmas away in their van and if they do all power to them and I hope they all have a lovely time.
David
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To answer Ro, yes we have been away over the festivities but not Christmas day.
We have spent NY at the Stonehaven site and really enjoyed the Fireballs parade which takes place just before midnight.
Good lively attitude to the event. The town really put on a good show with fireworks at midnight then a party in the town centre afterwards.
Preparation of vehicle is to warm it up at home first and make sure all is working as it should. Make sure you have a spare heater just incase. Check out how to tour over winter in freezing conditions and you won't go wrong.
We had a frozen filter on our water pump one year so be aware if the pump labours or no water appears out the taps.
Take plenty of warm waterproof clothing and footwear, there is nothing worse than wet cold feet.
We would cook as normal if going away at Christmas but possibly take a few things prepared and frozen at home.
Being on a campsite sounds a lot of fun for families and those who enjoy that kind of thing but it's not our thing, so we stay at home and do it our way.
Time to go away once things all settle back down after the holidays.
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We find just before Christmas is more exciting, Xmas markets and fairs, everyone bustling around. Used to do an Xmas shopping weekend up in Edinburgh, superb along Princes Street with the European style market, ice rink, Jenners was still open, then we used to have a day at the Zoo, that was good pre Christmas.
Between Xmas and New Year, North York Moors and Whitby. Very busy with folks.
Easy to decorate van, battery operated lights, rechargeable batteries. We took some to wales with us this week, cottage had a lovely Xmas tree up.
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Thank goodness the answer to ET's questions seem to be mainly a resounding "no" because I couldn't think of anything worse - not sure just why folk find organised (by others) "entertainment" so appealing!
We will again be down in Cornwall in our static van for Christmas - we will have some small get togethers with friends on and off site both before and after, but Christmas Day itself will be just us and the dogs. A relaxed late ish breakfast (if allowed) and then a long walk with Ralph over Penhale Dunes and back for a late lunch/early dinner. (How early/late will depend on Mr M's organisational skills and whether the smoke detector goes off!
)Boxing Day we'll be down on the beach for the Big Swim (warmly wrapped up and spectating only!
) and later in the week will be the Pets' Carol Service at Truro Cathedral.The family get together will be in the new year.
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Sounds lovely M. Boxing Day is great for events, we went to Old Trafford one year, Velodrome at Manchester for another. Working in the Leisure Industry meant we got to see lots of events, and even organise some! My first post was in a huge Leisure Centre, and Boxing Day we got the whole place to ourselves to play in, wave machine and all!
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We go away in our caravan every year on a trip from early December to mid January, and have done so for over 20yrs now, staying on quiet CLs, far from the madding crowd. We try to meet up with our family sometime during the trip but do our own thing on Xmas day. This usually means a walk, weather permitting, with a packed lunch of smoked salmon & salad buns, mince pies and a flask of mulled wine. We have dined on the top of places such as Ingleborough, Gragareth, and Frogget Edge. We cook our Xmas lunch when we get back to the van and relax.
I think the only year we have not been away at this time, since I retire, is when we couldn't get the van out onto the road because of thick frozen snow and ice.
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Lovely Nellie😁 We once did Xmas Eve up on an icy Ingleborough, coming down in the dusk. We only had to climb up and down from Crinna Bottom mind, we had gone with friends who had friends at Crinna, nice warm meal waiting for us. I think I would remember Christmas days spent like yours, more than down on a site.
We’ve done beach walks on Christmas Day. Sandsend when we used to go away in a cottage. Dogs have to be walked somewhere no matter the day! There’s usually someone out having a freezing cold swim😁1 -
Christmas Day is really just another day in the year for many folk, you make it what it is! Winter caravanning can be fun, relaxing and good for the soul if you choose the forecasted weather and location to suit your wishes. The van itself just becomes the mobile bed for us in a venue we chose to be enjoying ourselves in. Love those cold sunny, sometimes frosty or snowy, walks out observing the season's nature wrapped up in appropriate clothing and cosy fireside meals and drinks in cheery hostelries. Each to their own! If folk are fearful of making misery then that’s up to them, don’t do it.
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Have you considered that some folk choose to go away rather suffer all the over bearing festivities. Year on year we enjoy Christmas less.
We don't go away because where we live we have countryside all around us. We can walk, cycle or take the car out for a lovely drive/walk.
I spent 20 years, when we lived in Germany, cooking Christmas dinner for single soldiers, who for one reason or another didn't go home on leave. It was an unwritten policy that 'singlies' should be invited to family homes on Christmas day. We always had at least 5 and sometimes many more would drop in for a drink later in the day.
Our 2 boys loved it as they had lots of attention and people to play with them and their new toys. We have lots of memories of the boys and soldiers playing and building train sets, scalextric, racing games and even taking the boys outside to build igloos and snowmen. One year we all went to the camp hill to teach the boys how to ski.
When we returned home to Scotland, our house was always filled with teens sleeping over at weekends. Once the boys went to Uni it was students descending on us. Our eldest joined the army so when he was on leave quite often his friend came to and when he was stationed in Scotland we had lots of visits at anytime he was travelling up and down the road.
Nowadays we prefer to have a quieter time at Christmas and prefer to stay at home rather than a campsite with its over inflated prices and lots of families.
We've spent Christmas with our gKids when they were little and lived it. They are now all teens and prefer to see their mates and go out, rather than sit in the house with their parents and grandparents. We don't have a problem with that. They work hard at school, their parents all work hard so a bit of downtime they deserve.
Have a good Christmas whatever and wherever you choose to spend it. 🎄🎅
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We have in the past spent Xmas and New Year on campsites abroad - Spain and Portugal - all very pleasant and good fun, however, doing the same in the UK has no appeal.
That said we have just spent a couple of nights on a UK site - £24 per night on a full service super pitch - but the motive for this was to test and exercise the RV. I had carried out some repairs and mods that I felt deserved an extended trial. I'm also not keen on leaving a fairly complex machine unused for months at time.
All worked well and despite the grey drizzly weather we quite enjoyed the stay, possibly because of the quality of the site, the location and the excellent local hostelries.
Not something I would repeat for a UK Xmas and / or New Year and certainly not on a normal basic CAMC style site.
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My family is spread across the country so we have spent many a Christmas away in the motorhome and caravan just to celebrate Christmas with them either parking outside their homes or staying on a nearby CL, but never on a site. The whole purpose is to be with family, so we have no interest in spending time on overpriced sites with folk we do not know. My FIL lived alone until he moved into a care home and when spending Christmas with him we often entertained in the van with a full three course Christmas lunch and trimmings, once for six when other relations were present. If not celebrating with relations we would rather stay at home.
in answer to your questions Rowena:
Preparation: How did you prepare your caravan/motorhome for the winter weather? Any specific maintenance tips?
The only precaution we have taken is to have a container of water inside the van just incase the van system freezes up. It has never happened.
Decoration: How did you manage to bring the holiday spirit into a limited space? Are there any compact decorations you can recommend?
We have a small decorated Christmas tree with lights which we put in the van along with a few christmas cards and perhaps add some window decorations if they do not get in the way of the blinds. The main decoration is the table, Christmas cloth, crackers and servettes.
Cooking: What's your approach to cooking Christmas dinner in a small kitchen area? Any favourite recipes that work well in a caravan setting?
We have a four burner hob and oven in the van so on the occasions we have entertained in the van we cook a normal roast, its easieir just to do a turkey breast, with roast potatoes, stuffing, sprouts or peas and carrots cranberry sauces etc. Unless you have a microwave, Christmas pudding is not an easy option. The starter is usually cold e.g. prawn cocktail or pears in blue cheese sauce. yummy! A pre dinner drink or two, wine with the meal and coffee and brandy to follow. Clearing up in the van, with limited washing up facilities is perhaps more difficult than meal preparation.
Activities: What kind of activities did you do while on site? Any local attractions or events worth visiting?
Don't go on sites and neither are we there for activities or local attractions but we might play cards after clearing up, UNO is popular.
Happy Christmas to everyone
peedee
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watched a programme on TV last week re cooking a whole xmas dinner in an Air Fryer including making and cooking your own xmas pud all in the space of 1 hour, pigs in blankets looked scrummy and only took 10 minutes, Turkey crown also looked scrummy, we have a Remoska which we use indoors and a lot in the caravan
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Don't have a remoska Jim, just wondering if Christmas pudding could be done in a slow cooker which we do have, SWMBO doesn't much like it so probably going to be a no go anyway.
It was an unwritten policy that 'singlies' should be invited to family homes on Christmas day. We always had at least 5 and sometimes many more would drop in for a drink later in the day.
It was so the case with the Company I worked for and I have been on the receiving end as a batchelor and the giving end as a married man. The other unwritten rule was batchelors covered work over Christmas, unless you were called out, but not the New Year.
Great times.peedee
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Hope everyone had a nice Christmas, we were again away in the motorhome on a CL in the company of 4 other outfits. We had a very enjoyable Christmas Eve and Day with my eldest son and his family. Ate far too much good food and caught up will all the family news.
peedee
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