Christmas (Sorry!)

[marcusandabi]

Hi
Just wondering if anyone knows about any child friendly Christmas lunches that are happening this year.
In an ideal world I would like Father Christmas, lots of kids, games, etc and of course a great meal for parents and grandparents...
I am going to email a couple of places, but if anyone hears of any, I would be most grateful for details!
Many thanks
Abi

[mike strand2]

Hi
Just wondering if anyone knows about any child friendly Christmas lunches that are happening this year.
In an ideal world I would like Father Christmas, lots of kids, games, etc and of course a great meal for parents and grandparents...
I am going to email a couple of places, but if anyone hears of any, I would be most grateful for details!
Many thanks
Abi

Agh!!! Please, no, no, no!

[Dominic]

I think the correct response is Bah humbug!

[PhotoLady]

Nearest we got to Christmas day entertainment in Cyprus was Fat Elvis in a Santa suit....

That's about as close to celebrating as you will get me. Yes, bah humbug most definitely.
I always loved that about Cyprus that planning for what we did for our dinner with friends on the day was always a last minute event, with not much advertised until a few weeks before.

Here, cards and decorations, toys and gifts all appeared in the shops sometime before last weekend. Pubs and restaurants have all their menus out with prices at around £50 per head and I'm ready to run for the hills.

Maybe it's time to start looking at spending my Christmas in Egypt or somewhere else that is only very low key. Something I always promised myself but couldn't be done whilst my young stepson was around in UK with us. He is now 28 and is a new parent himself of just a couple of weeks, making me a grandparent of sorts, I guess.

He, his wife and new baby live in Australia

Don't be surprised if you don't get the response you are looking for immediately to make your Christmas plans in Cyprus but enjoy it all the same because of the different feel it has. Alternatively, get together with some friends, all bring something food wise to the party and get one of them to play Santa. Old fashioned style!

[Dominic]

This seems an opportune time to repost a link to my Festive Santa Spotting blog.

https://www.paphoslife.com/blog/santa

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those of you who entered into the spirit of Christmas last year and joined in the competition.

I would like to take that opportunity, but I cannot, as none of you entered. Not one single person. *sniff*

First man flu and now this...

[marcusandabi]

Yep, I expected a few Bah Humbugs, but when you have a 3 year old you need to plan these things!
Am looking around the Paphos area, East side, not western Paphos.
Hotels are fine and I've emailed some, will keep my fingers crossed!
Thank you

[Dominic]

In all seriousness, please report back what you find!

[galexinda]

Not sure if you are planning to stay in a hotel or just visit on Christmas Day, but most have a programme that starts just before Christmas Day and ends 6th January. On Christmas Eve (or perhaps a day or so earlier) there are plenty of activities organised in the hotels at different times of the day eg cooking demonstration, Christmas Carols, a visit by Santa (with gifts for the children). The Christmas Eve Gala Dinner is the main event and is also open to non residents as are all the meals (but you do have to book). Depending on which hotels will be open, there is usually a buffet style Christmas Day Lunch. East side of Paphos I would recommend contacting Louis Phaeton Beach Hotel or Athena Beach Hotel or Alexander the Great. We have stayed in hotels over Christmas and eaten at others on Christmas Day. Part of our festive enjoyment is driving round Paphos and visiting the hotels and seeing the Christmas decorations, reading the programmes and then going along and joining in!

[marcusandabi]

Thank you galexinda!

[Poppy]

Not sure there would be much for your little one but can certainly recommend Athena Beach for the food. We stayed there for a few days when 're-locating to the UK and could not find fault at all however the main people there over Xmas will probably be retired English on holiday which is not really what you want possibly?

[Meier]

Do they do stuff like crackers? I don't know how "British" that tradition is. Would be an odd one to explain to a shopkeeper.

"I want to buy a box of stuff that has things in it that go bang and contain useless gifts, ill-fitting hats, and exceptionally bad jokes in it. "