If things open back up In December, will you be taking your kids to Christmas days out?

[Viv0321]

If things open back up In December, will you be taking your kids on Christmas days out?

Such as theme parks done up for Xmas, safari parks, Father Christmas visits, holidays even?

Yes, we've booked a light walk at a local national trust venue in mid December. Hopefully that can go ahead as it's all outside anyway.

Our usual Santa grotto visit will be cancelled which is a real shame as we've been every year since having DC so will have to think of something else, maybe one of those personalised videos from Santa?

Outdoor things, like National Trust grounds with light shows, where we can just go for a walk,yes.

Nothing indoors though.

Yes, definitely. As long as we feel it's relatively safe (outdoors where possible, social distancing and cleaning in place etc) we will be doing as much as we can, whilst taking every personal precaution possible as far as hand washing, mask wearing, social distancing, following guidelines etc. I think a lot of people have the attitude of "everything will be better in 2021"/"it's just one Christmas", whereas in reality there's just as good a chance that this could be our lives for the next few years. I feel that I owe it to my children to give them as normal and happy a childhood as possible despite it being overshadowed by COVID and lockdowns. One of them is 5 now and could well be 7 or 8 when things start to really return to normal. Maybe even older; we just don't know. I'm not willing to "hunker down" for potentially such a huge chunk of their formative years.

Does anyone know if Wisley and / or Kew lights trails are going ahead during the lockdown period? I think both have done indoor aspects unless they reroute ( I've not been before to either) Will be disappointed if we can't go.

I've also booked a Santa train so no idea on that .. but that's December. I'll go if I can ! Bring back Christmas 🎄

We booked Hever castle gardens for end of December. If it’s open we will go but we still haven’t done any indoor activities other than shopping since March so won’t do the other things we usually do.

Nope.

Hell yes.

No, Santa behind a Perspex screen doesn’t really seem like Christmas 🤣

I am beginning to feel really sorry for the all the children that belong to the posts that say no, what kind of christmas is it going to be for them

@Ihaveyourback

I am beginning to feel really sorry for the all the children that belong to the posts that say no, what kind of christmas is it going to be for them

Believe it or not, millions of children in the western world manage to enjoy Christmas without visits to Winter Wonderlands or National Trust trails. A wintery walk in the woods is just as much fun as somewhere with reindeers and organised "fun".

And baking, crafts, films, whatever can be done happily in the home. So save your pity for more deserving causes than the privileged offspring of Mumsnetters

Yes, I have Harry Potter Christmas at Warner studios booked for 19th and am desperately hoping that will happen. Also car panto. On Christmas Eve. I have everything crossed

@Ihaveyourback

I am beginning to feel really sorry for the all the children that belong to the posts that say no, what kind of christmas is it going to be for them

A safer one for them and relatives?

You do realise not everything has to be a paid for activity to be valid. Lots of family traditions are done at home or local.

We have tickets for the Harry Potter Studio Tour so hoping we can still go

Oh I hope I can take them to visit Santa's Grotto at the garden centre! And there were two Christmas shows I wanted to take them to, and still will if they run.

We don't get our town's usual Christmas lights switch on extravaganza, and their school isn't doing a fair or a nativity play or a carol service. It's unlikely DH and I will be able to have our annual cheese-and-wine fest at the local cinema while watching It's A Wonderful Life, so we'll take our Christmas cheer where we can.

We have booked an outdoor walk through a decorated park. Masks required even though it is outside and families will start on the path at staggered times. There is another park walk that doesn’t require tickets, abut we will go on a weeknight to minimize crowds. We will also do a few Christmas light viewings by car. Nothing indoors with other people.

Yes definitely

Yep

Yes
I’d take them to whatever is open that are the normal Christmassy things.
Are you running a business OP? I hope small businesses are able to plan enough to set things up. Must be very hard with everything chopping and changing.

Nope! The risk's not worth it. To the previous poster feeling sorry for the kids of the parents, who say no: there's plenty "Christmas-sy" activities to do, besides organized, booked ones. Christmas art, winter walks, wreath making, decorating the house and garden, reading Christmas stories, star gazing, etc etc etc... The time time spend together without rushing from one activity to another and constant planning might be even more magical and memorable for the kids.

100% yes

Nope. I'll be 36 weeks. Pregnant at the end of lockdown, we're going to be so careful now, can't afford for Any of us catching covid so close To the baby coming.

@LardiLaLardiLi

Nope! The risk's not worth it. To the previous poster feeling sorry for the kids of the parents, who say no: there's plenty "Christmas-sy" activities to do, besides organized, booked ones. Christmas art, winter walks, wreath making, decorating the house and garden, reading Christmas stories, star gazing, etc etc etc... The time time spend together without rushing from one activity to another and constant planning might be even more magical and memorable for the kids.

Pray tell how I can do wreath making with a 20 month old and almost 3yr old? How can I decorate my house and garden when I live in a flat? How can I do star gazing when I live in central London with light pollution.

Yes, once lockdown is over I'm taking DC out as much as I can. We have Santa visit booked.

Yes yes yes!!

Star gazing isn’t going to cut it for most kids 😂

We've done nothing BUT spend time together since March. DS is sick of me. He wants to do something else.