WITH Christmas just around the corner, heading to a holiday park for a family get-together could be on the cards in the run-up to the big day.
For the first time, Haven is opening its Seashore site near Great Yarmouth for Christmas breaks.
I've taken my sons away in late November, or early December, for the past decade.
In that time, we've tried out all the big names, including Center Parcs and Butlin's, as well as some smaller sites like Ribby Hall near Blackpool.
But this year, we've booked to go to Away Resorts Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire and we can't wait to see what the park has to offer.
Everyone has a different idea of what makes the perfect festive break at a holiday park in the UK.
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But if you are thinking about taking a seasonal staycation, here's what you need to know about the different holiday parks.
When my boys were little, I always took them to Center Parcs for amidweek Christmas break.
It proved to be the perfect getaway for a splash around, or family activities away from the hustle and bustle of the festive period.
Seeing all the Christmas lights sparkling through the trees, and walking past a stable of animatronic reindeer singing carols on our way to the pool, was enough to keep them happy as tiny tots.
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The biggest excitement of the week was posting a letter to Santa in the special letterbox inside the main dome and then having a personalised reply delivered to our lodge.
Center Parcs Winter Wonderland could be for you if you want festivities in the forest, with lots of space for the children to explore the great outdoors.
One of the activities included in this year's lineup is Santa's woodland village.
Inside the enchanted light garden, families will get the chance to wave to Father Christmas as he passes by on his sleigh, as well as an elf explorer passport to complete.
When our boys got a bit bigger and more active, we tried out the Butlin's Bognor Regis for its festive fare.
We loved all the live shows with their Christmassy vibe and there were plenty of activities to keep the entire family occupied.
The whole resort is dressed for the season and the Skyline Pavilion even turns into a giant snow globe for a festive foam party to delight both the young and old.
You really won't get a better place to take young children if you want all the fun of the fair and the spirit of the season in one place.
At Butlin's this year, visitors can enjoy a festive pool party, watch live shows including pantomime Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and get a gift from Santa.
Other attractions include being wowed by festive fireworks and lining up for festive character photoshoots with Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Reindeer, and even Father Christmas in his sleigh.
Last year, we opted for a luxury lodge at Park Holidays Broadland Sands near Great Yarmouth.
It was a brilliant base for a big festive meal with our extended family, who live nearby, as the open-plan kitchen and living room could easily accommodate a dozen or so diners.
None of the park facilities were open, so it would be perfect for a getaway if you just want a bit of peace and quiet in the run-up to the Christmas craziness.
Park Holidays is offering accommodation-only breaks at 16 sites this year in Cornwall, Devon, Suffolk Sussex, Yorkshire, Kent and Dorset.
Another chilled-out option would be to visit your chosen site in the new year to recover from the party season.
That's what we did when we headed to Ribby Hall near Blackpool last January, while the Christmas lights were still up.
It was our final festive fanfare of this season.
Winter Wonderland short breaks at Ribby Hall include a chance to feed the reindeer at the onsite farm and enjoy a winter wander on the woodland trail.
There are also arts and crafts sessions like cupcake decorating and festive shows like pantomime Peter Pan, as well as a visit to Santa's grotto.
We're hoping that this year's stay at Tattershall Lakes will pull together all the best bits of our Christmases past into the perfect Christmas present.
We've taken the luxury lodge element of last year and mixed it with the woodland vibe from Center Parcs and a good range of activities from Butlin's. What's not to love?
Meanwhile, Away Resorts are offering Christmas crafts like Santa slime or snow globes, Mrs Claus' kitchen for a spot of festive baking, and toddler activities like a baby nutcracker ballet.
Now that Haven has started moving into seasonal staycations, I think we already know where we'll be visiting for Christmas 2024!
It's fab that there's now festive fare for all sorts of families, no matter what kind of seasonal getaway suits you best.
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And just last month, Sun Online Travel visited the holiday park next to the best beach in the UK and it cost just £25 a night.
We've visited all four Haven parks near Great Yarmouth now and this one is wonderful if you're wild about wildlife and woodland.
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