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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:
1Morewineplease · 19/12/2020 21:19

Do whatever you want. Most people round here have... that's why we're in Tier 4.

user1487194234 · 19/12/2020 21:20

We will be carrying on with our arrangements

Madre1972 · 19/12/2020 21:20

Well I was really looking forward to seeing my eldest daughter for a few hours on Christmas Eve but I’m now Tier 4 and won’t even get that. Just follow the damn rules and then we all might get to see loved ones again.

edwinbear · 19/12/2020 21:26

I’ve posted this on a few threads now and have had a couple of wines so apologies if I’m repeating myself, but I think it’s important.

I’m involved in a fair bit of grass roots sport and so just read the guidelines for T4 children’s sport. U18’s outdoor sport is still permitted. This means, DD’s (London primary age) netball club still runs tomorrow. DS’s (London secondary) contact rugby training happens tomorrow, as does his rugby camp on Monday and Tuesday, which is open to all local, T4 secondary school aged children. We had only 6 booked onto rugby tomorrow, as many families were self isolating before seeing family over Christmas. Now nobody can mix, we have a full house for training tomorrow as well as for camp. His running club will also happen on Tuesday evening as normal.

XingMing · 19/12/2020 21:27

randomer, I am not suggesting it's your doing or fault. Just saying that following all the rules, to the letter, is likely to bring this horrid year and virus to a quicker end than defying the scientific evidence. Nobody wants to lose a loved and valued member of the family because we had to hug grandma and transmitted COVID. I'd rather wait a few months, and still have her to hug, even if Chritmas goes out the window. And we have two grandmas, one 91 and the other 86. We won't be seeing either, but mainly because they are a long way away from where we live. I don't like that either.

OppsUpsSide · 19/12/2020 21:27

Shall we apply that for all laws then?

Obviously!!!

inappropriateraspberry · 19/12/2020 21:28

Stay at home and don't see them. Do a doorstep gift drop and look forward to next Christmas.

WhispersAnonymous · 19/12/2020 21:29

We planned to spend it with family, thats cancelled now. Dashed out and bought turkey and wine. We shall be fine! It's only one year.

nosswith · 19/12/2020 21:32

Go on the 25th or not at all.

And if you have a Tory canvasser on your doorstep in May, ask them why they support an immoral killer in Mr Johnson.

XingMing · 19/12/2020 21:35

What canvassing is happening in May? Haven't we had enough already?

randomer · 19/12/2020 21:35

@xingming,I gave no wish to hug a Grandma nor have I broken any rules.I am in T3 and have been for months.

XingMing · 19/12/2020 21:40

I don't recall suggesting anything beyond saying please follow the rules randomer. Like it or not, we will sink or swim together.

ineedaholidaynow · 19/12/2020 21:41

So how many people would you have seen if the Christmas bubbles over 5 days was still allowed?

2020hasbeenawful · 19/12/2020 21:59

@katy1213

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.
Officially my favourite comment from tonight.
Lightsontbut · 19/12/2020 22:20

OP I wondered the same about the large number of keyworkers in the NHS working on the 25th. If they see people on the 24th instead (and not as well), there is clearly no science saying that this is riskier. It almost feels like the politicians are just making it up as they go along....

LittleMimi · 19/12/2020 22:24

Moving your plans to the 24th instead of 25th will have no difference. It’s just arbitrary and that’s what choosing the 25th is. I think it’s really unfair they made such a drastic change at such short notice. If they were going to cut it then it should have been to two days or they should have had some foresight that this could have happened and done stricter measures like other countries. Now lots of people are left stranded. If this had happened two years ago I would have been celebrating Christmas alone in London.

CatholicKidston · 19/12/2020 22:31

Just go the day before like you planned.

H8624 · 19/12/2020 22:47

How selfish can you be?!

You're lucky you still have the option to see family on the 25th - change a day and have your family day any of the other days!

E.g. I'm now tier 4 and cannot see any family all over the break which I accept but it sucks! I'd love to have 1 day where I can see them. Especially as I have been strictly following the rules throughout.

Why should you be the exception to the rules just cause you want to spend the 25th at home by yourselves without a proper reason why. If that's the case don't see anyone all break...

Sugarhouse · 19/12/2020 22:59

Your tier one 6 people can meet indoors whenever you want.

Original poster
Summer2021please · 20/12/2020 05:47

@H8624 I can sympathise. There are reasons why I would want to spend Christmas Day at home for reasons I’ve mentioned. Two disabled children - having to rush their presents, rush breakfast, get them in the car and drive around visiting families and cook dinner for ourselves. Neither in laws or our family have room to have us for dinner. So we have to do presents, cook dinner, visit two families all with two very overwhelmed children. They come home overwhelmed and exhausted most years. Much more manageable before the big day itself but that’s just us. I have a difficult relationship with Christmas as it brings back memories I don’t want to talk about from my childhood, our families can be difficult and toxic but we feel obliged to see them for dc.

I know we are lucky to be able to do this. As I’ve mentioned quite a few times now I can sympathise, it’s horrible.

OP posts:
Original poster
Summer2021please · 20/12/2020 05:49

@ineedaholidaynow we would see my mother and family. Family of 4 inc my grandma who’s in her support bubble. And my in laws - family or 5. All siblings live at home which would have made it easy. We are the only ones with children. For one day each. We wouldn’t have visited multiple times or spent hours on end there. Hour or two max - that’s enough 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Summer2021please · 20/12/2020 05:49

Would have *

OP posts:
PhilCornwall1 · 20/12/2020 05:50

@LuckyNumberThirteen

The rules can't be bent for your convenience.
They can, quite easily.
LadyLazaruss · 20/12/2020 06:15

The hysteria on here makes me laugh. I mean, be logical, what is the harm in seeing family the day before instead? What changes?

PhilCornwall1 · 20/12/2020 06:34

@LadyLazaruss

The hysteria on here makes me laugh. I mean, be logical, what is the harm in seeing family the day before instead? What changes?
The virus has mutated, It now knows the difference between December the 24th, 25th and 26th!! Smart little bugger it is.