The Value of a Family Holiday Even When Money Is Tight

Times are tough for everyone right now and with the recent rain it can all seem a bit doom and gloom. But thankfully the summer holidays are not far away and for many people that involves time spent with family on holiday. Whether your idea of the perfect holiday is a week spent in Wales or city sight seeing in Europe most families look forward to their annual summer holiday.

So if you have been thinking of giving it a miss this year, perhaps because money is tight and you think you can`t afford it, then it is important to remember that a family holiday is about much more than catching a tan and eating out for a week. It`s about spending time with your nearest and dearest; an opportunity to spend quality time together. You may think that by spending a week or two at home, visiting local tourist attractions and ordering in take away for a couple of nights is an economical alternative but you would be wrong.

Holidaying at home rarely works. That bill you have been expecting arrives and puts you in a bad mood, you are surrounded by day to day things that need to be done, like the washing, ironing and cleaning. The kid`s friends call round every five minutes and the phone rings more than you could ever imagine while your home all day, most likely with sales calls and recorded messages.

Getting away is the only way to make sure you and your family have a proper break and spend time together as a family. You can`t buy happiness and most of us are never happier than when we are spending time with our loved ones.

There is nothing to say you have to go away for a week and a city break is an exciting alternative to a week spent on a beach. Ireland and Europe are easily accessible in just a couple of hours and you have the option to fly, ferry or take the train. You could spend a few days exploring Athens or see how many European cities you can fit into a fortnight.

Or if you are thinking of hopping across the pond you could try Boston, New York or Las Vegas. It is not where you go but who you are with that`s important and even if you take your family camping in Cornwall and it rains all week all that really matters is that you have spent time together away from the grind of your everyday lives. You may get home to find that bill on the doormat and a mountain of washing but at least you will have spent quality time on holiday with your family and hopefully have made many happy memories along the way.