Is anyone else really looking forward to or focusing on Christmas?

[Pearsapiece]

It feels like the only constant at the moment and it's helping me through to think of all the things we will definitely be able to do, no matter what state of lockdown we are in.
We will still be able to snuggle down with Xmas films and eat twigletts. The kids will still have stockings, all be it they may contain a roll of loo roll and some pasta each! We may not be able to see extended family but will have our immediate families and the good old Xmas re runs of the two Ronnies. The Xmas markets are probably a no go but that will save me loads of money in things I don't need and instead can order online for the kids.
I don't know why, but everything between now and then seems like a maybe but Christmas seems like the only thing we will definitely have as something we recognise.
Is anyone else focusing on Xmas? What are you most looking forward to that you know you will be able to do?

@SnuggyBuggy

I bet Santa will have to wear a mask, might be uncomfortable with the beard

We have already decided we will leave some hand sanitizer with the drink, mince pie and carrot for Rudolph 🥕🎅🥤

I can cope with a low key Christmas Day. It's the potential loss of so much social/ event build up prior to it.
I'm not masking up to go to a singing-less church.
Carols really put me in the Christmas mood.
Fairy lights are good to lift the darkest days. I always miss them in January.
Christmas parties are often the only chance in the year I get to put make-up and a fancy dress on.
DS has a birthday shortly before, so I hope he can have a party. If he can, I might make it a double for DS2 who had a hard-lockdown birthday around Easter.

TBH, I'm trying to be in the moment and enjoy summer while its here and look forwards to the DC's going to school.

Sept-March was a hard winter last year. Bonfire dìsplays were cancelled due to flooding, and it rained relentlessly for 6 months. I need a long, sunny gentle autumn.

Based on this year, I think life will normalise a lot from Easter when the colds/ flu season ends and the weather becomes more advantageous. Until then, I'm trying not to speculate too far ahead.

I’m a bit sad that the Father Christmas our children would visit has been cancelled this year though

He’s in ice-olation they say

I've always loved Christmas, when my parents died it became quite a sad time, but still enjoyed the build up and the food etc. Then my inlaws a couple of years ago decided to take it upon themselves to come here, they're not the worst but having 10+ people ontop off our 7, is very stressful. Last year 2 of the families had an argument and it ended up then fighting over who was coming here, in the end I cancelled Christmas week and told them none of them were coming. I've already had messages about how they're looking forward to coming this year so I'm hoping there's still restrictions in place because the thoughts of them coming is stressing me out.

@lynsey91

No not really. We always spend it with family and I just can't see it happening this year.

It is 8 different households getting together and I doubt that will be allowed. I know we could do it anyway but my parents and one of my siblings will not want to if it is not allowed.

I feel sad that it may not happen as it will be the first time in my life (66 years) I have not spent Christmas with my family

This is how I feel. We usually have at least 6-8 households together for Christmas day and boxing day. I feel sad for my lo if potentially they'll be allowed to mix with nearly 100 unknown households at school day in day out, yet not see their family on Christmas day. And that actually this will scar more than all that's gone before as being a lone parent and only child lo will have the complete opposite experience to the usual and child expected Christmas🎄🎅🎁. I don't care that we'll miss out on the run up niceties and activities like the markets etc. I do mind about the family element.

No, it's too far ahead. I can't focus on anything that is more than maybe a week ago now because it is too unknown. Christmas will still definitely happen but it will be a very different Christmas if we can't see extended family. My DC and DH could spend Christmas Day just the 3 of them in the house, DH trying to work out how to make that special, if I have to work. The run of to Christmas at school is likely to be very different for them, probably no nativity or carol singing, it's a Catholic school so celebrating Advent is a big thing too. DC won't see Father Christmas, which probably means last year was the last year of that tradition for DC1 who is now 9 and so will be too old next year. Christmas shopping is a big stress, and I am someone who ends up trawling round shops looking for inspiration and I struggle to trawl through websites in the same way when I don't really know what I am looking for, and that will be difficult/ impossible depending on COVID. Lack of church for Christmas is a big thing for me. But the not knowing is the hardest. I just can't think that far ahead right now.

Who knows. I adore autumn, from Halloween onwards is my favourite time of the year so in that sense yes I'm looking forward to it. But who knows what it will be like so I'm looking forward to it with a great deal of trepidation this year, alas.

I'm dreading it, honestly. I live by myself, Christmas has always meant most of my (large) immediate family i.e. parents, siblings, other halves etc getting together - it's loud and busy and colourful. The concept of having Christmas alone in my flat makes me want to cry - I will of course decorate and enjoy blasting carols and I'd make some nice food but blimey I hope I can at least still see one household!

Come over to the Christmas board! The pre christmas bsrgain thread has just started.

I’m single, no kids and have my birthday on Christmas Day. At the moment vaguely planning on a Christmas by myself this year but will spend the day with family if allowed (4 households). I need my alone plans so I don’t get depressed if it’s cancelled.
Will probably do my Christmas alone plans on New Year if we can spend Christmas together.

No, i cannot stand christmas tbh! I am glad when it is over and only do minimal things That I have to starting in december. But if it helps you to have something good to look forward to, more power to you! I am doing home stuff, decluttering etc to help me get through all this, with the goal of a shiner, more spacious home at the end of it.

@Pearsapiece I'm pregnant too! Due 28/12! If we can meet with family I am doing no cooking at all, but if not I am going to go to town on the sausage rolls, make no mistake

@HoneyWheeler

Yes! I find the idea of Christmas so comforting - there's a book called Merry Midwinter which is about celebrating the whole season and old traditions etc. It is my go-to middle of the night read as it is such a comfort.

Channel 5 usually has loads of musicals on over the Christmas season which I LOVE!

I'm really looking forward to decorating the house this year and getting really festive. As you say, it's possible we might not be able to see family this year but hunkering down sounds like actual bliss!

Is it this one?

I love Christmas too and we normally have a small Christmas Day so I won't miss out on anything there. It'll be nice to stay in one place. I am sad about the loss of all the things we'd normally do, seeing Santa, theatre, Christmas shopping, a Christmas train. I'm sure someone will have an opinion on that (Scrooges) but for me it's lovely to have a season of social events and nice things.

I love Christmas. Thankfully this year is the first year that none of the kids believe so at least if it’s lockdown / supply issues I won’t have to deal with but Santa’s magical and still will be able to get be x issue.
In September I’m going to start stocking up on non-perishables/stuff for the freezer so if lockdown happens and supplies are bad we can cobble together some of our favourite Christmas treats.
We normally get a real tree from the forest up the road. I’m hoping that either we can still get one even if not allowed out the car to choose our own or that they will deliver.

Otherwise like others we will just hunker down, watch films and play board games. We often have family here or go to family to stay but we have also had Xmas just us so won’t be too bad.

@HoneyWheeler I just ordered that book. It looks so good and I’m really focusing on going all out on Christmas this year

@GrannyWeatherwaxsBroomstick oh good! I'm really enjoying it and can see myself re-reading it each year. Some bits are a bit idealistic but I suppose that's the whole point of Christmas!

Yes! I keep going onto the Christmas board to hear what others are thinking about regarding Christmas. I find it weirdly comforting. In fact my copy of Delia’s Christmas recipe book arrived yesterday and I have already stuck post-its on the pages where I am going to make the recipes.

We always spend Christmas and Boxing Day at home by ourselves so not seeing family on those days would be ok but obviously over the rest of the period it would be horrible.

OP, hop onto the Christmas board and enjoy reading the thread there - it’s super friendly.

Just ordered Merry Midwinter. DH is rolling his eyes at me as I already have loads of Christmas books plus about 15 years worth of Christmas magazines.

I'll be sad if we can't go out for our traditional Christmas Eve treat but will try and recreate it at home. I don't usually get to see my parents at Chriatmas as they live the other side of the country so no change there. I'll need a plan for getting Christmas trees though...

I think I've found my people.

For the first time I'll be hosting my side of the family (had my lovely in-laws a couple of times) and I've found joy in preparing, taking notes, making lists and reading over old Christmas magazines. Can't wait for this year's Christmas magazines! I'm also glad to hear that others stash theirs to peruse at a later date

I think because unlike a booked holiday, Christmas is an immovable date. Yes, things might happen to cock it up, but the date is fixed, and certain things about it are constant and don't change and it simply cannot be completely cancelled. And right now, it is far enough away to be immersed in hope that things might be back to normal by then.

Next month I think I make my Christmas cake!!!

No..it's August.. sunny, and a million miles away from cold dark weather!

Thoughts of Autumn were dragging me down let alone Christmas. All my favourite parts will not be happening.

I am wondering if we might do outdoor carols?

Anyway I will try to do the necessaries as briskly as possible so as not to dwell on the missing parts.

Maybe I will make my own pudding this year after thinking about it often enough!

I've ordered the book too but will save it for when the clocks go back. I'm a lover of summer so I'm not ready to embrace autumn/winter yet.

Yes! I like summer but living in Snowdonia its busy and locals cant enjoy whats here as much as we can. So winter is bliss. I prefer to go for a wet mountain walk and stop in a pub with my muddy shoes and sit by the fire eating lasagne and chips with a pint is my idea of heaven.

I love my candles, blankets, lights, log fire and drinking port. Im a winter girl, and love a good snuggle and a Christmas film.

Yes I am