You may be one of those families who love getting together over the Christmas and New Year holiday and spending time together. However, as families expand and older children get married or have partners and young children of their own, it can be difficult accommodating everyone under one roof. Of course, if they live around the corner then that is not a problem. However, these days many families find themselves living miles away from other family members, so if they do visit, then they will probably need to stay at least overnight.
Many people are not aware that, during the Winter season, the Youth Hostelling Association in this country hires out many of their youth hostels for private hire. They tend not to be city centre locations as these hostels tend to be open all year round, but many of the YHA’s rural hostels are available for short term hire of at least 3 or 4 days over the Christmas period. Some youth hostels are quite small, accommodating 12 to 16 people, whilst others are more spacious with beds for well over 20. It won’t be posh, but there will be beds for everyone in your party, sometimes in small rooms, sometimes in bigger dormitories. There will be plenty of bathroom facilities and the kitchen will have ovens big enough to roast a huge turkey with all the trimmings. Then, once the food is cooked, the whole extended family can sit together in the hostel’s dining room.
Although, the kitchen will be well-equipped, you will have to make sure you take enough food or drink for everyone and make sure you don’t forget to take a tree and all the Christmas presents!