Christmas has a habit of causing stress and overwhelm and inevitably we all end up with things we don’t want or more importantly don’t need. Why not make this year different and let Wellies & Windbreaks suggest a few reasons why heading to the Witterings to rent a cosy holiday cottage is just what you and your family needs to relax, reconnect and truly enjoy the festive season this year.
While familiar traditions have their charm, creating new ones will make special lasting memories. With the beach on your doorstep imagine waking up early on Christmas morning for a bracing family dip in the sea or blow away the cobwebs with a leisurely walk along West Wittering’s white sandy beach. Grandparents and little children can hunt for shells together, the whole family can play hide and seek in the dunes, the dogs will run to their hearts content and all can enjoy the stunning coastal views and listen to the waves crash on the shore before heading back indoors for hot chocolate and mince pies in front of a cosy fire.
Every year the pressure falls on someone to host and there is often tension deciding which side of the family to visit. Christmas politics can bring out the Scrooge in us all. The best thing about renting a holiday cottage is that it’s neutral territory. There’s no need for one person to feel solely responsible for hosting and entertaining. Everyone can share the load and divvying up tasks can even become part of the fun. Each family could take it in turns to cater and clear up and grouping together to bring a game or organise an activity will ensure a steady stream of fun throughout the holiday.
Renting a holiday cottage means you can fully enjoy home comforts without the endless list of chores that come with hosting over the festive season. Beds are already made when you arrive, Wellies & Windbreaks decorate their cottages so you will be welcomed by Christmassy atmosphere without any of the set-up hassle, the laundry and cleaning is taken care of when you leave and best of all, when your stay comes to an end, you return to a tidy home.
One of the joys of renting a holiday cottage is that you can choose something which allows the whole family to stay together under one roof, or, if you have a huge family, in a few cottages close by. Most of the properties Wellies & Windbreaks manage are walking distance from each other so everyone can celebrate together without the worry of overstaying their welcome or needing to drive home after the festivities. Instead of squeezing everyone into spare rooms and foldout beds, a holiday rental offers ample beds and space, often with multiple living areas and if spread out over a few houses, more than one kitchen. Everyone can stay comfortably, cook together without crowding, watch the TV in a number of rooms so there is no fighting over the remote and nobody gets stuck sleeping on the sofa!
The pressure to make it the “best Christmas ever” is eased if you have a holiday experience extended over a number or days. Booking one of Wellies & Windbreaks’ cottages in West Wittering, East Wittering, Bracklehsam Bay or Selsey for a week or short stay means you can enjoy many leisurely days with loved ones. Plenty of time to learn a new board game, complete that 5,000 piece jigsaw, watch everyone’s favourite movie, explore the local area and maybe even finish all the leftovers. Without the rush of having to return home to real life, you can savour each special holiday moment.
Winter is dark, cold and seemingly endless. A change of scene and a chance to get off the merry-go-round of daily life, even if just for a few days, can give you time to pause and reset. Traditionally, we reserve holidays for summer and spring, but a winter English seaside holiday has its own kind of magic and West Wittering beach is the perfect place to experience it. It is well known that spending time outdoors improves our mood, wellbeing and motivation, so the key to enjoying the colder, wetter and darker months is to get outside. Where better to do this than the beach. A coastal walk is perfect for blowing away the cobwebs and the Witterings boast over six miles of coastline to explore. From the sand dunes at East Head through West Wittering beach and down to the shingle beaches of East Wittering and Bracklesham Bay you can definitely stay outside long enough to boost your winter mindset and return home feeling refreshed and ready to take on the New Year.
Renting a holiday cottage can also be cost-effective. Whilst Christmas and New Year breaks may be pricey, sharing the expenses so that everyone can contribute evenly will make it fair and manageable. This even split allows you to focus on the fun without the financial stress and it gives everyone the flexibility to come along. Another option is to get together with family outside of the peak Christmas week. Travelling in early December is very affordable and is overlooked as a period of time to meet up with family during the festive season. Alternatively, it is also worth investigating if there are any deals during the quiet few days between Christmas and New Year.
So, this Christmas, why not mix things up? Trade in the stress and chaos of Christmas for a fun family holiday in one of Wellies & Windbreaks’ handpicked Wittering holiday cottages. Making some family holiday memories and creating a new tradition and creating a new tradition may just be the best Christmas present of all.
