Just found out...

[sapnupuas]

My favourite Christmas market has been cancelled this year.

This year absolutely sucks and I'm so fucking over COVID and everything being ruined. It's usually the time of year I start to get excited but it feels pointless as no doubt it'll be shite this year anyway.

Just needed a moan.

[ILoveGroot]

Its rubbish isn't it. I work in the NHS and I am expecting winter to be fairly awful. Usually look forward to all the outings and events.

This thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/3993969-How-to-make-Christmas-even-better-this-year
Has got some fab ideas for other things to do in the build up to Christmas

[sapnupuas]

Thank you. That's exactly what I need.

[ILoveGroot]

It's a thread that made me smile. I am going to focus on time as a family, which we never seem to get at Christmas as we are always in a mad rush!

[everythingisginandroses]

We usually go to a festive afternoon tea, but it's v unlikely to go ahead. I was thinking of giving it a miss this year anyway, tbh, as last year didn't live up to previous years: the venue seemed to have a whole new (temporary?) catering crew and it didn't run as smoothly - listening to customers on other tables complaining isn't Christmassy fun!

There's also a Christmas jazz concert, but it's only really me who enjoys that, so last year I thought perhaps it would be a good time to abandon roping DH & DS into my fantasies of being in a Woody Allen film, NYC at Christmas etc

DS's school carol concert at our local cathedral is lovely, but really there's no point in dragging a sulking pre-teen along to an event they are not taking part in and are bored by

So 2020 seems to be time to do things differently for us anyway, whatever that will mean!

[mmgirish]

That's rough. I love a Christmas market. So festive.

I live in a country that doesn't celebrate Christmas at all. We've been stuck here for months now and can't visit home because of the Corona and I'm really worried we'll be still stuck at Christmas too. I can't think of anything more depressing.

We can't even have a proper Christmas dinner if we are stuck as pork is illegal. Can you imagine no ham or pigs in blankets....sigh...no prosecco either...

[pleasestoprainingplease]

I have a feeling that the one I go to at Leeds castle isn't going ahead this year either have managed to book couple other things but I loved that Christmas market and fair.

[CarrieFour]

I've been getting down about that December/Christmas will be crap.

But in a way it might be nice.

No panic of school fairs/nativities/town events/dance shows.

It'll also be sad to be lacking those things. But I guess we'll focus on other Christmassy things like baking, decorating, family time.

Maybe we can handmake more gifts.

[RaspberryToupee]

Our favourite Christmas market was cancelled a few months ago. At the time, I get it was very premature to be cancelling it but it seems they made the right choice. I love Christmas markets though. Even if we don’t buy anything, the smell of chocolate, cinnamon, mulled wine, sugar and grilled meats is just part of the build up for Christmas. It’s just not something you can recreate at home The last few years I’ve also found some fantastic local companies to support.

I live 200 miles from my family and I’m also not sure if we’ll be able to travel/mix households.

[middleager]

I would like to have gone to the one in Bath, but it's cancelled.

The one in Birmingham has been announced to go ahead, despite the fact it is on a national watch list for Covid

[timetest]

pleasestoprainingplease I think Leeds Castle market is going ahead this year, though it might be a bit smaller than usual.

[sapnupuas]

@middleager

I would like to have gone to the one in Bath, but it's cancelled.

The one in Birmingham has been announced to go ahead, despite the fact it is on a national watch list for Covid

That was on our list too.

My favourite is the Victorian market in Gloucester. I go every year and get pissed on samples.

[MovinOnUp]

I'm trying to see the positives about a quiet December.

(I have the ultimate festive 2 days in London booked on the 16th/17th and I'm not convinced this will go ahead)

More time for Christmas movies, Baking, Walks to see the lights/trees in people's windows.
I'm planning to buy a big Christmas theme jigsaw that we can do together, A bit of it each day.
I've also ordered the Matt Haig Christmas books and will read them a couple of chapters after school each day.
I'll go and read the thread linked to above and get some more ideas.

[TheSunIsStillShining]

I'm actually looking forward to this year's xmas.
My parents come every year (abroad) for 3 weeks and before we moved we lived so close that they were at ours all the time. This will be our first xmas only the 3 of us as a family in 26 yrs.
I know I'm selfish, but to not have to entertain and make food constantly is a relief.

[sapnupuas]

@MovinOnUp

I'm trying to see the positives about a quiet December.

(I have the ultimate festive 2 days in London booked on the 16th/17th and I'm not convinced this will go ahead)

More time for Christmas movies, Baking, Walks to see the lights/trees in people's windows.
I'm planning to buy a big Christmas theme jigsaw that we can do together, A bit of it each day.
I've also ordered the Matt Haig Christmas books and will read them a couple of chapters after school each day.
I'll go and read the thread linked to above and get some more ideas.

Ooh. What do you have planned in London (so I can steal your ideas for next year)?

I'm trying to be positive. I have from the 18th off so loads of time to do stuff for myself before my son breaks up from school. I love the idea of a puzzle so I'll do that. I might treat myself to a Balsam Hill with the money I'm not spending doing the things I usually would.

I am feeling better than when I started this thread. I usually get the warm fuzzies from the beginning of September until January 1st but I'm just feeling a bit flat today instead.

Thank you, everyone.

[SirGawain]

@sapnupuas

My favourite Christmas market has been cancelled this year.

This year absolutely sucks and I'm so fucking over COVID and everything being ruined. It's usually the time of year I start to get excited but it feels pointless as no doubt it'll be shite this year anyway.

Just needed a moan.

Something cancelled. That must be a surprise OP

[sapnupuas]

It is actually, @SirGawain as other markets at the same place have been taking place so far, and they've been taking bookings for this one, so I was hopeful it would go ahead...

[SanFrancisco49er]

My lovely Xmas fair has gone online this year.
I'm not getting down about it, its one year and there will be plenty of ways to make it Christmassy! Homemade wreaths/baking/decorations, carols on classic FM, a quieter gentler pace of life.
Given we wont see many people I am giving up making my cake in Oct this year and will try a yule log nearer the time instead however!

[tbfitwasntme]

I've never been one for Christmas markets and pantomimes but DC1 has gone every year with school for the last few years and this year was meant to be DC2 first year going with the school and a feel for them having to miss out this year but I've decided to watch a pantomime at home with them with popcorn and snacks. Wedo tonnes as family at home every December like baking, movies, listening to Xmas music, board games.

[MsAdoraBelleDearheartVonLipwig]

My youngest has just left primary school so this year there won’t be any carol concerts, school plays or church services anyway. They seem to do absolutely bloody nothing at high school so I’m not expecting much anyway.

Bit gutted that our Christmas street fair and lights switch on probably won’t go ahead.

[pleasestoprainingplease]

@timetest

pleasestoprainingplease I think Leeds Castle market is going ahead this year, though it might be a bit smaller than usual.

Oh that would be lovely. It popped up on Facebook as an event briefly and then was taken down? So assumed they may have already made their mind up. Hopefully not. Thanks 😊

[HumphreyGoodmanswife]

I feel your pain OP. So over this virus/lockdown rubbish now. We normally go to Edinburgh for a weekend just before Christmas, gorgeous hotel, good food, Christmas Market, good shopping, catch a show.. Sigh. Apparently, its still going ahead in Edinburgh but scaled-down with social distancing . Not sure that's going to work. Think I'd rather stay local than be reminded of all the anti-festive covid roolz anyway tbh.

[sueelleker]

I retired in January, and was looking forward to doing all sorts of Christmassy things I never got time for while working full-time. Oh well, maybe next year?

[MovinOnUp]

@sapnupuas

We are flying into London in the morning, We are going to the ritz for afternoon tea, The matinee performance of Wicked, Then Kew gardens at night.

Next day, V&A, Outdoor skating, A quick pit-stop at winter wonderland, Libertys, Hot chocolate at F&M then we are getting the sleeper train home.

I am keeping everything crossed that it still goes ahead!

[Summeriscancelled]

Could you recreate a Christmas market afternoon? If you get a crisp winter day maybe you could get wrapped up and sit in the garden/park with German hot dogs, cheeses, crepes or whatever your favourite market foods are. Maybe you could make hot cider or mulled wine? Would a few friends or family join you?

It's not the same but it's an idea to keep some of the magic of winter.

[sapnupuas]

@sueelleker congratulations on your retirement. Not the first year you had planned, I imagine! At least you didn't have to worry about losing your job due to everything. Let's hope you can enjoy next year.

@MovinOnUp I copied what you wrote and sent it to my friend saying that was our plan from London. She said "where are we flying in from?!" It really does sound perfect - and right up my street. Winter Wonderland has been cancelled, though. I've never been and I'm dying to go (even though I keep getting told it's shit).

@Summeriscancelled are you going to change to "autumniscancelled"? We've booked a few things that are still happening so it'll hopefully still be magical. That market was a time to feel festive for myself, without the kid in tow, so it's super shit.

I am looking forward to doing more Christmassy things at home, though. I life watching a Christmas film while wrapping presents. That's always fun!