A GROUP of women is going "all out" to celebrate their 20th-anniversary Christmas shopping trip in Southampton this weekend.
Pam Goff, Debbie Read, Teresa Bennett, and Marina Bailey will be making their way to the city this weekend for a three-day trip they have taken for 20 years.
The friend group takes on the yearly tradition to "shop till we drop" around Southampton's high street and Christmas market.
Debbie, 59, from Surrey said the group loves the city describing the trip as going to meet a "long-lost friend."
Debbie said: "It just feels like going home. Southampton is so important to us, and so ideal for our purpose.
"It’s not expensive, it’s not lavish, but it is everything we need to have a great time, be together, make more wonderful memories in difficult, trying times, and hopefully spread some Christmas cheer.
"We are so excited to be back in Southampton and are glad that the Christmas market is now back on.
"Each year we have a different theme. This year's being friendship, and I would not want to do it anywhere else.
"We have all been by each other's side for the last 20-plus years and have always supported each other through life's difficulties.
"There have been many downs, including losing my mum and then my dad during Covid, and Marina's daughter being on life support last year after a serious brain injury.
"But that is what friends are for, and we look forward to this weekend so much, to be together, spread happiness, and make more wonderful memories."
The friends, that live across Hampshire, Surrey, and East Sussex, stay connected on social media and on yearly trips together.
The four women share a Whatsapp group named HoHoHo with festive-themed nicknames for each other: Teresa (Tree Tre), Pam (Prancer), Marina (Mingle Bells), and Debbie (Mrs Christmas.)
READ MORE: Southampton Christmas market 2022: What you can buy
The group began taking trips to Southampton as two of the group's members, Pam and Marina lived in Petersfield.
Debbie said: "I knew Marina from work and she would go to Southampton sometimes but not every year.
"Then we all planned just a day trip to the city altogether and it kind of built up from there.
"We are all absolutely crazy for Christmas. Now we stay in the city for three days and shop till we drop.
"We all dress up in matching Christmas jumpers with silly earrings or headgear and say 'ho ho ho' as we go.
"We even decorate the hotel room with lights, a Christmas tree, singing reindeer, and an inflatable snowman and all wear matching pyjamas.
"The hotel staff must think we're cooky. They have seen us every year and really enjoy it as well.
"We have made many friends over the years who recognise us. There is a lady that works at Boots and she said she knew we were coming.
"We always come on the first weekend in December and we absolutely love it."
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