Travel column with Katie Butler, Total Travel: The C word is back and so is the Christmas spirit!
Well, it looks as though we have survived the worst of the storms and blown straight into November. I think I can safely say the C word now without being lynched… yes, Christmas is just around the corner!
But before we get carried away with mince pies and Christmas shopping, there is something much more important that once again we would love your help with. We are delighted to be supporting Mission Christmas Cash for Kids, and this year all three of our branches in Heckmondwike, Ossett and Brighouse are official drop-off points.
Sadly, Christmas isn't a magical time for every family. Thousands of children across the UK face the prospect of waking up on Christmas morning with little or nothing to open. For families already struggling to make ends meet, buying presents simply isn't an option. Christmas is a luxury they just cannot afford. That is where Mission Christmas steps in, helping Santa reach children who might otherwise miss out.
We are collecting new, unwrapped toys and gifts for local children, and we would love our wonderful local community to get behind us once again. If you can spare a gift, please drop it into any of our three branches by December 16, allowing me time to deliver to the Cash for Kids warehouse in time for Christmas.
We absolutely love being involved in this campaign, having three branches to drop off at means we are hoping to make it our biggest collection yet (I know I say this every year)! Whether it's a small toy, a game or something special for a teenager, every donation can make a real difference. Together, let's see what we can do!
Away from Christmas preparations, it seems November and December are proving popular months for our team to escape the British weather. Alison at Ossett is heading off to Mexico, Alison at Brighouse is enjoying Thailand (still firmly at the top of my own bucket list!), Kath at Heckmondwike is off to explore the Christmas markets of Prague, while Karen also Heckmondwike is swapping winter coats for sunshine on a special anniversary Caribbean cruise. I am a tad jealous but look forward to hearing all about their adventures, and no doubt there will be plenty of photographs and tales to share. It is always lovely hearing about the places our own team get to explore.
And finally, has Black Friday started earlier than ever this year? It certainly feels that way. There are already some tempting holiday offers around, with savings of up to £100 per person. That's £400 off for a family of four – not to be sniffed at!
Looking at last week’s bookings – Benidorm, Tenerife and good old Majorca – made the top three selling destinations. Late bookings to travel in the next 12 month remained strong accounting for 25 per cent of total new bookings.
So, whether you are planning a little sunshine escape for next year or thinking about Christmas giving, there is plenty happening this November. And if you can help us put a smile on a child's face this Christmas, we'd be ever so grateful.