To be bummed about Christmas.

[WinWinnieTheWay]

Usually Christmas, or advent are all about the build up. Concerts, activities, Christmas markets and school fairs. This year all of that is gone, chuck in dire finances and I can't muster any enthusiasm. Usually by now I'd be nearly done and I haven't even started. It really feels like a consumer purchasing kids gifts activity.
Obviously I'll buy the shit no one needs and the turkey no one likes etc, but wha I'd really like is to hibernate until January.

Is it just me?

We are just doing it differently this year and some of the stuff we can still do.

I've planned baking, foraging, wreath making, decorating the house, making gifts, online quizzes, all sorts and we will go on walks, spot decorations etc. It'll be quieter and I'm desperately sad that I might not see my family as planned but it will still be special.

Stop right there. Who says you must have turkey if no one likes it?

Don't buy shit no one needs either. Follow the Christmas threads to get ideas for nice things.

Hibernating til January would be lovely, wouldn't it, sigh.

[scruffs Showy's head] hey how you doin'?

christmas can be adjusted this year with little to no resistance

great chance to make it more about what you like

sack off the turkey, streamline present buying do what you like!

[cheeky pinch] wotcha dude. Can't complain. Merry Christmas Flibberty. How's tricks?

I wouldn't write it off. Try and make the best of it.

Plus Boris wants to go down in the history books as 'the man who saved Christmas'..that will appeal to him a lot for his legacy, so things may open up more in December if people can be sensible now.

Most people can't afford to do concerts,markets, and all the stuff in usual years and Christmas is still good
Don't cook a shit turkey, it's not law, cook a meal you like.
Activities are still there just different.

I'm actually more on board about Christmas than usual and looking forward to making the most of it but I can see where you are coming from and plenty of others feel the same. I wouldn't bother with the turkey if no one will enjoy it though.

My mum stopped making turkey years ago as no one liked it. Instead she makes lamb, beef or even chicken.

Don't buy things no one wants either.

I get where you are coming from but there are ways to make the Christmas period something to look forward to. If you really don't want to celebrate then don't.

I feel a bit bummed out about it too. Are you Californian like me, OP?
I really love the whole Christmas atmosphere; the carols sung at church, the nativity, the cheesy pantos (which are so quintessentially British! I have a love/hate thing for pantos!), and just the ambience that takes over our little community here in my neck of the woods (West London, ironically- not some magical shire in the middle of nowhere). So yeah, I'll miss all of that this year. I feel like I've been living a life of semi-hibernation for so long now, that I'm not really in the mood to go into deeper winter hibernation. That's what's been forced upon us, for understandable reasons, but still... I feel like it's only about online shopping this year- and eating.

I feel exactly the same OP. I'm dreading Christmas this year. Haven't even begun to think about what to buy the kids, I'm burying my head in the sand.

I kind of get this vibe too. We had a great time at the Christmas markets last year, had a lovely hotel trip away, the markets and got very drunk. Enjoyed Christmas shopping where we are doing it all online this year. It’s difficult, but at the same time Christmas is what you make it.

So do it differently!

If you can’t go out to see he lights etc then do your home up with them. Can’t have a mulled wine out then make it inside homemade. Make the kids mulled apple juice.

Sack the turkey off and ask people what they want instead.

Have a Christmas FaceTime with friends or family. Okay a Christmas quiz. Have some lovely winter lockdown walks.

No it’s not the same, but not the same is also an opportunity for new and change.

Why buy turkey if no one likes it? We’re veggie so I’ve tried lots of mains with the Christmas dinner before from cheese and parsnip roulades through to creamy leek pastry wreaths and a mushroom Wellington one year too. You could try a different meat or fish too.

I’ve booked a couple of events on 19th and 20th of December so I’m just hoping they’re still going ahead. They’re outdoors so it shouldn’t be an issue but I know English heritage have closed their sites during lockdown so just hoping lockdown actually is lifted when Boris said it would be.