Should people pare back their Christmas celebrations this year?

[sunnydaytoday0]

I saw a comment on social media, I can't remember their exact words but it was effectively suggesting that people should 'pare back' their celebrations at Christmas this year due to the Queen's passing.

I'm not really sure I understood their reasoning, or what they meant by paring back? I appreciate that it's been a very sad time and will be only have been a few months after her death and that Christmas can magnify feelings of loss. For many it's also going to feel extremely poignant seeing the King give a speech on Christmas day and not his mother, but surely it is right that life goes on?

I'm sure the last thing she would want is families not spending time together and celebrating Christmas and having fun, especially after the last two years which were so incredibly disrupted.

IABU - Yes, people should pare back their Christmas celebrations to an extent this year in respect to the Queen's passing.

IANBU - No, people shouldn't feel the need to pare back their Christmas celebrations this year - the Queen's passing is sad for many people, but life must go on.

😂

King Charles said only the other day ,he wanted minimal disruption on the Queens funeral day.So I doubt he would be impressed at this thought TBH! The Queen was a wonderful figurehead to our country ,however surely she would want us to carry on under KC and be happy .

Roses and Quality Street tins will contain only the ones that no-one likes.

Brilliant idea! Special monochrome tins full of 'Toffee Pennies' and the orange one that isn't orange creme.

Was it on Facebook? Twitter? Why would you take any notice of what someone's written on there? Why start such a goady thread?

Random opinions on Social Media will not impact my Christmas plans one iota.

A 'comment on social media' made by who? I mean, does this person have any real sway in such a suggestion, or is it just some teary eyed royalist randomer caught up in the moment?

Oh and YABU!

Oops YANBU🤣🤣

I've heard some town councils cancelling xmas lights because of the energy cost - wonder if they'll start blaming it on the queen's death instead.

I think do as you please. However, I also think be aware of those in your circle who may be struggling especially regarding present giving and having big meals - maybe have the discussions early to ensure no one is put under pressure to buy gifts, share the costs of food with people you are visiting or let them know what you can bring etc.

Exactly.
People will be paring back because they can't afford enough food or heating.

How about we go over the top so we can rejoice and celebrate our new King instead.
What's another million more.

Enough already. This country has completely lost the plot with its forced mourning of the Queen.

Im a bit sad she died - end of an era and very tough for her children. But she was a 96 year old woman who died naturally in her favourite home (says a lot), having received the best health care money can buy! Not a bad way to go and in stark contrast to do many of our elderly in recent years.

This has to stop - the rest of the world must think we're mad - energy crisis, cost of living, nhs on its knees and some dozy bigger thinks we should carry this into Christmas?

@HeckyPeck you're right. I'm getting a bit over-excited. 🤣

But seriously, how long is all this going to go on for?

Why do people always think it's more respectful to be miserable? Why instead don't they suggest people go all out this Christmas with their decorations and celebrate the Queen's life, raise a glass to her and be happy?

Oh do fark owf! 👑

I doubt the royal family will paring back do why should anyone else?
I don't think the queen would want that, when the publics morale is at such a low as it is right now everyone should be having the best Christmas they can afford!

Are we allowed to celebrate hallowe’en, do bonfire night, stock up on Black Friday/cyber Monday, celebrate peoples birthdays?

How about New Year’s Eve, still mourning the death of a stranger?

I don’t mean it to sound cold but the queens passing has no impact on my life, her death is as sad as anyones, even when I had a devastating loss within my own family we have never been the type to not celebrate Christmas, it’s a time for our family to come together and we love the magic of it all.

No.

As a family, it's just been us for the last two Christmas because of Covid.

My parents are getting older and I fully intend to make the most of Christmas, including with extended family who are visiting from overseas for the first time in three years.

If anything, the last week has brought home the importance of appreciating people while they are here and that none of us know how long we have.

Will be battening down the hatches from January, though, with all the rising prices!

@RB68 That's sound advice. We've already agreed gifts for the children only. Might do a small secret Santa for the adults so everyone has something on the day.

Christmas will be pared down for us because of the cost of living crisis. We simply can't afford an extravagant Christmas if we want to heat our home at the same time. Nothing to do with the Queen (God rest her soul).

She's hasn't featured in my Christmas celebrations up to now...(other than vaguely remembering about 18.00 there's a speech I've probably missed and am not bothered enough to watch on demand).

I will have the Christmas I can afford. It may be pared back to normal years but only due to household finances.

By the logic of the post....were we all supposed to have a extra exuberant Christmas planned up until now, as it was her jubilee year?

That said, I may make a special effort to remember when the Kings speech is on, and spare a thought that it likely be a hard, emotional year for her family, like so many others who will experience their first Christmas without a dear relative or friend.

I’m paring back due to new home (pending checks) but next year totally different luxury all the way.

I should think paring back, where it occurs, will happen as a natural consequence of the cost of living crisis as opposed to the death of a monarch.

Had the queen lived, would she be having a pared back Christmas out of respect for her struggling subjects?