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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Christmas plans. What now!

79 replies

Summer2021please · 19/12/2020 20:00

So before Boris’ announcement we had planned to see my family and in laws before Christmas. My family say on Wednesday 23rd and the in laws Thursday 24th and stay home Christmas Day and beyond - was quite looking forward to a Christmas Day at home. We usually spend the day driving around visiting. Both our families are nearby but still take a chunk of the day - all tier 1!

But now we can only see them on Christmas Day. Sounds stupid as some have much more extreme restrictions but I was looking forward to a Christmas Day at home as above and now what?

Would it really matter if we seen them the 24th instead and stayed in the 25th. What’s one day going to make a difference. Still seeing them for one day only? I’ve followed the guidelines pretty religiously but would it really make a difference if
It changes by one day so for one year I can wake up Christmas Day and not have to rush out the door. Sounds trivial I know.

We don’t go out socialising at all. It baffles me that being in tier 1 I could meet 5 friends in the pub tonight or have friends around but not see one family?

Also, I guess as we can see 6 people we can still see some family leading up to Christmas. For instance 4 of us and our in laws? And 4 of us and my parents. But not seeing our siblings (who live at home)!

Baffling! I can totally sympathise with those who have far worse scenarios this Christmas.

Our social contacts have literally been zero apart from work which is pretty safe! It all seems so poop.

OP posts:
LuckyNumberThirteen · 19/12/2020 20:03

The rules can't be bent for your convenience.

KatieGGGG · 19/12/2020 20:04

Makes the same difference as you doing your own thing the 24th and seeing them Xmas day.

katy1213 · 19/12/2020 20:04

Of course it won't matter if you see them on 24th. But why do you need permission from Mumsnet? You know the kill-a-granny brigade won't approve.

ButterflyBitch · 19/12/2020 20:04

Yeh I can’t see my mum, or my in laws now as they’ve gone into tier 4 so if you have to squeeze it in to one day then just be grateful you can still see them. Don’t mean to sound completely arsy but it is shit for everyone.
Maybe it wouldn’t matter if you saw them on 24th but would it really matter if you saw them on the 25th? At least you still get to see them.
My mum is so far away and now this has happened I have no idea when I can see her next.

rainatnightlove · 19/12/2020 20:05

We can't see ours at all- tier 4. Just be grateful you get one day ffs.

Followed all the rules and to be rewarded by this. Sad

miserableannie · 19/12/2020 20:05

Do as you originally planned. Whatever Boz has said so far has no worked. He hasn't a clue. Use your common sense was also his message. I won't be changing my plans for Boris or anyone

OppsUpsSide · 19/12/2020 20:06

The rules can't be bent for your convenience.

Sure they can. Don’t just blindly follow rules, have a think. There’s nothing wrong with your plans op, stick to them.

WiggleSquiggle · 19/12/2020 20:06

I mean being tier 1 you can currently see them whenever, so what’s the issue?

Warsawa31 · 19/12/2020 20:08

Anyone else think this was the plan all along ?

Takes the heat away from no deal

OverTheRainbow88 · 19/12/2020 20:08

Baffling or not it’s the guidelines.

Your decision to follow them or not

newwnamme · 19/12/2020 20:08

Agree with miserableannie. If you're in tier 1, the risk must be extremely low. Use your common sense. Of course it makes absolutely no difference which day you see people on.

AppleKatie · 19/12/2020 20:08

This is bizarre- in tier 1 you can see them any day of the week surely?

It’s just the poor bastards in tier 4 who are truly fucked.

RedskyAtnight · 19/12/2020 20:11

Tier 1 rules mean you can meet up to 6 people inside any time surely? So you can carry on with your original plans. You don't need a Christmas bubble.

Brighterthansunflowers · 19/12/2020 20:12

YABVU

Just see them on Christmas Day and consider yourselves bloody lucky! Plenty of people haven’t seen family at all this year, and you’re fussing over the inconvenience of seeing them on the one day it’s allowed. Ridiculous!

waitrosetrollydolly · 19/12/2020 20:14

Yup our misfortune is for the greater good so we have to suck it up am organising Christmas in July with family instead, will find somewhere with snow and fly everyone there . Not very green but needs must .

Original poster
Summer2021please · 19/12/2020 20:14

I know it’s shit for everyone as I said in op. I sympathise. I lost a grandparent just before lockdown. I haven’t been able to see or comfort my grandma. I haven’t seen any family since October despite living close. I’ve lost 2 friends this year. None due to covid. I know how shit it is.

I have followed the guidelines religiously. I am at Christmas apart from changing one tiny detail - the day. I wonder if Covid goes away on the 25th. I’ve not seen a single friend since March either.

And yeah I can see them in groups of 6 but there’s 4 of us and loads of them. My parents are a family of 4 and my in laws family of 5!

Just silly how I could have 5 friends from different households either all week (I’m not) 🤔

OP posts:
istheresomethingwrongwithme · 19/12/2020 20:15

Also tier 1 (Cornwall). Yes it's annoying but I think we just have to suck it up and be extremely grateful!

AppleKatie · 19/12/2020 20:17

Not seeing a single friend since March is unnecessary martyrdom.

Obviously switching the 25th to 24th will make no difference.

sittingonacornflake · 19/12/2020 20:17

I'm so confused. We are tier 1 too, rule of 6 indoors anyway?

Original poster
Summer2021please · 19/12/2020 20:19

@sittingonacornflake yes so confusing. Many of my friends are meeting up for Christmas. I’m not because I’m an antisocial non drinker who doesn’t really fit in on gatherings 🤣

OP posts:
starrynight19 · 19/12/2020 20:19

A bit crass op when people have just been told they can’t see any other family over Xmas.

PawPawNoodle · 19/12/2020 20:20

@OppsUpsSide

The rules can't be bent for your convenience.

Sure they can. Don’t just blindly follow rules, have a think. There’s nothing wrong with your plans op, stick to them.

Shall we apply that for all laws then? I drive at 70mph and have yet to have a crash, might blash down the motorway at 120mph on Christmas Eve since I had a think and have decided I won't crash or get nicked.
Original poster
Summer2021please · 19/12/2020 20:22

I just can’t see how doing it 1 day earlier will really
Make a real difference. I don’t think covid will take a break on 25th 🤣 we will be home from the 25th and beyond until we go back to work and school.

Ive always found it too much visiting both families on Christmas Day. I have major anxiety and never enjoyed Christmas Day - was hoping this was the year. Both dc are disabled so the thought of not rushing out the door and getting them in the car was bliss. I’m thinking we may just stay completely home. Maybe just do a quick drop off for presents etc.

OP posts:
SweetFelicityArkright · 19/12/2020 20:24

Well maybe count yourself lucky you're not stuck working Christmas Day and therefore under these rules can't see anyone over Christmas now.
I can see it's inconvenient, but me and thousands of others have no choice at all than no family or break the rules.
You have a choice, I'd be grateful to be in your position and not mine!

KatieGGGG · 19/12/2020 20:24

No, one person doing it wouldn’t make a difference. It’s if everyone does it. Why are you more special than everyone else?

Don’t bother seeing them at all it’s one day.