I’m going to cancel Christmas in my house

How old are your children?

Why does not mixing households mean you can’t put the tree up etc? Seems like it doesn’t have to be either or, it can be a bit of both.

Won't your children miss a tree and stockings op?

You don't have to see anyone.

Eh? So you are going to see MIL so really you’re not doing things much different to anyone else - it’s hard to see both sides of the family within the rules as only works if they don’t want to see anyone else.
You’re just not putting your tree up which seems sort of unconnected. Up to you if you don’t want to as long as it won’t disappoint anyone else in your house like kids

Mil thinks next year things are going ‘back to normal’, this is the first year for 7 years that but stayed overnight (she lives 20 minutes away and we only get the standard days off). I don’t want her to stay again so it won’t be going back to normal at all if I can help it!

How will not putting the tree up and not giving your children presents help combat the spread of the virus? I can see why you wouldn't want to see your MILif she's 'seeing everyone she knows', but why does that mean not doing stockings etc for your dc? We're not seeing anyone over Christmas, but that doesn't mean it's cancelled. It just means we'll have Christmas with just the four of us.

Just because you don’t want to do Christmas doesn’t mean no one else wants to miss out. I never have family here as my mum lives 500 miles away and has shielded since March. My sister has her own family & we can FaceTime on the day. But my kids will still have a nice time, I understand people who are on their own or folk with elderly parents not wanting them to be alone on the day. But I also see no need to completely cancel it!! You want to them great that’s your choice hope your kids don’t mind. It’s a nice day to look forward to when we’ve had little else. Tell your mother in law no don’t go or allow her round and be as stubborn about that if Christmas is cancelled?...

I think the UK should have made that decision tbh. No mixing of households. Keep the tier system. Just leave it this year.

Such a decision would be impossible to enforce. You may isolate yourself as much as you wish however. I'm also not sure what your Christmas tree has to do with anything?

Well you're full of Christmas cheer

I'm confused how you think putting your tree up or wrapping presents is going to spread the virus ?

Not really sure what you are wanting people to say, in response to this post ?

Bloody hell. And I thought I was the Grinches long lost sister.

I HATE Christmas. But I've got three kids, so you know, tree, presents, games. For them. I wouldn't take that away from them for anything.

Put your foot down and don't see MIL. But don't take any little bit of joy away from your children.

I can't imagine cancelling Xmas for a 5 and 12 year old, it seems really cruel after a year of crap. We always spend Christmas just the 5 of us at home, it's a huge leap to go from 'we shouldn't be mixing households' to 'I'm cancelling all the fun stuff for my children AND still mixing households regardless'

If you want a quiet, Christmas and to essentially shield op then you do that. Stop worrying about what others may or may not be doing.

It sounds as if you only want Christmas to be cancelled so you don't have to see you MIL... rather than to stop the spread of the virus.

If you don't want to go.. then don't. If you're the only one doing everything for Christmas, make your family help!

And it sounds like your issues are mainly with dh and his family rather than the covid situation.

So basically you're throwing your toys out of the pram and ruining your kids Christmas because you aren't getting to do what you want to do? Nice

Oh come on don't be so wet. Talk to your DH. Tell him what you are prepared to do and what you aren't. He can take the kids to see MIL. Agree some rules for everyone to manage expectations, including sharing chores, and don't cut off your nose to spite your face.