What makes the perfect family holiday?
Even though the boys will be 3 years old, in less than a month’s time, I don’t have much to reference in terms of our ‘perfect family holiday’ as we haven’t actually had one yet.
And don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a pity party, we’ve had some lovely, lovely weekends away and done some amazing things, together as a family.
We’ve been on camping adventures, to festivals and on day trips.
We’ve played on a beach.
The boys haven’t been in the sea yet but we were lucky enough to go to to Bluestone in Wales , for four days last year, and they went in an amazing wave pool.
They’ve even played in the snow and built a snowmen (albeit, in our back garden and not on the slopes of Tignes).
But as I look at all of these pictures it strikes me that, even though they mark exciting little milestones in my son’s lives, they’re just a little bit *flat*.
The scenery is more ‘turgid’ than technicolor. And on closer inspection, it dawned on me that they’re all lacking in a couple of vital ingredients.
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Colour And Sunshine.
Now I’m a sucker for colour in all it’s guises.
From the sunniest, happy inducing yellows, to soft and delicate shell pinks. I love every colour of the rainbow and all the shades in between.
I work with colour — in my day job — and write about it constantly, here on my blog, in the form of my Pantone series.
Colour surrounds us. Although very often, in our everyday lives, we don’t stop to pay it any attention.
We’re all so busy — trying to get to somewhere on time, making supper, shopping — just living life in general, that we sometimes forget to take a step back and admire the scenery.
Then we go abroad and the pace slows down. And glorious colour fills our eyes, like an assault on the senses.
Cobalt blue skies, clear aquamarine seas or mountains topped with heathery purple and violet. Vibrant markets, colourful stuccoed buildings and lustrous fruits and vegetables.
The Perfect Family Holiday
Overseas holidays seem to treat us to a kaleidoscope of colour, that seems to be lacking, here a home.
I think sunshine has a big part to play. That magical star, that radiates it’s warmth on our planet, changing flat grey skies to blue.
Adding light to everything and bathing all it touches in a golden glow.
Sunshine gives the sea it’s sparkle, makes the grass seem a little greener, the sky bluer, sand yellower. Gives the snow a sprinkling of glitter and just makes everything a little bit more colourful.
So on reflection, that’s what would make our perfect family holiday.
Sunshine and colour.
Perfect partners, they go hand in hand.
A bit like my beautiful boys.
To illustrate this even further, I’ve made a little film.
This is our family’s entry for the #MarkWarnerMum 2016 Family Ambassador programme in the ‘Craft’ Category! For more info on their fabulous ski and sunshine holidays visit Mark Warner.
Wish us luck!
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
Good luck, this is a great entry, the Mark Warner comp is a fab opportunity x
Thanks so much Jenni — such an amazing opportunity!! :)
Such a fantastic entry Caro! I just love your video you created. You have done one fantastic entry. Good luck lovely you and your family would be a credit to the MW brand. xx
Aw thanks so much lovely. There have been such a lot of amazing entries — I’ve really enjoyed looking at them!! :)
Oh that picture of them holding hands is just adorable! We are a family that has made the most of snowy gardens rather than the slopes – there’s still plenty of fun to be had though! Best of luck with your entry x
I agree — we’ve had three years of fun playing on wet and windy beaches and in snowy gardens! I think you can have a lot of fun holidaying in the UK :) That said, I’d love to see them playing on a sunny beach, just once! :)
A lovely post and a great video, good luck with this amazing opportunity!
Thanks ever so much — that’s lovely of you :)
I absolutely love your video, it’s so creative and totally adorable! Good luck!xx
Aah thanks so much Sian! There is such an amazing load of entries — I’m glad I’m not a judge! :)
Good luck!! x
Thanks!
I absolutely love your video – it’s just gorgeous – have shared it and wishing you ALL the luck xx
Aww bless you lovely — thanks SO much!! xxx
Ohhh my goodness. Your video! Just BEAUTIFUL!
Wishing you all the luck in the world lovely xxx
Aah thanks so much Georgina :) xx
The one thing left for us to do is to go away as a whole family – 8 of us might make a bit of a statement. Good Luck x
Good luck to you too sweetie! A holiday for 8 is some undertaking!! You’d need to be amazing at logistics and planning!! :)
Your video is inspired Caro. It made me well up! Best of luck with your entry, it’s so good! X
Aaah thanks so much Claire. A friend had said stick to my strengths and I can draw (a little bit) and since I’ve been vlogging I’ve learnt to edit film. Who knows if I’m right for the role, but I’ve done my best!! Fingers crossed for you too!! xx