mclaurie, I didn't say i wasn't doing the trip anymore. I just said that i might just plan somewhere for the two of us to go because like others pointed out, it will be complicated to organise and expensive to invite the whole family.
So just to clarify (and in answer to your last post), i am still planning a trip but it will just be the two of us now. The reason i want it to be a week long trip is that I really don't see the point in coming all the way from the UK for just a few days. If we're going to spend alot of time and money getting there then it needs to be a week long trip in my opinion. I would go somewhere in Europe for a few days, but not fly half way across the world.

I wanted somewhere further afield because we have seen alot of Europe and i wanted this trip to be something different, and memorable. New York was my first thought because it is somewhere he has always wanted to go, but reading your comments about the crowds and the wet and cold at that time of year, it has slightly put me off and i may wait for another time for that trip.
Like i said, Las Vegas is somewhere else i was considering..but i don't know what it is like at that time of year.
Where else is a good Christmas vacation spot?

Now I'm really confused. If you're coming just the 2 of you and he's always wanted to see NYC, I see no reason why you 2 can't come to NYC unless you've looked and decided it's not affordable. And LOADS of people now do long weekends from the UK to NYC. I can understand if you say that's not for you, but no one here said don't do it. Perhaps you can combine a stop in NYC and a stop in Florida in a week's trip.

PS Las Vegas for many is a love it or hate it kind of place. I fall in the latter camp and it's 6 hrs. flight from NYC. There are apparently no nonstops there from the UK. If you decide to do it, I'd try to avoid changing planes or stopping in Chicago which gets dreadful weather at that time of year and is a very busy airport. You might look into flying to NYC, staying a few days and then flying roundtrip to LV from New York. Jetblue.com is a popular airline to use for getting to LV and they haven't released flight sched/prices yet for late Dec. so won't appear on a kayak search.

"New York was my first thought because it is somewhere he has always wanted to go, but reading your comments about the crowds and the wet and cold at that time of year, it has slightly put me off and i may wait for another time for that trip."

It is one thing to accept that these conditions when it is just the two of you, one of you who has dreamed of this trip for years. It is another thing to herd 8 people, some perhaps less enthusiastic than others through these conditions. We still think you and your husband should come to NYC in December, and come for a week if you'd like. We're suggesting that you rethink inviting the whole family since moving around with 8 people will be more challenging considering the busy holiday time and the various personalities and needs of 8 people.

I like your mention of staying home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to celebrate with family and surprise your husband with this special gift. Then on December 26 fly to NYC and stay for the week you hoped to have. You'll experience the vibe of the city at holiday time, but have enough days in case weather slows down your plans.

I agree, it is quite different to do a party of 8 and a party of 2. Either go before or after Christmas, but spend your first Christmas together at one or more of the family homes.