Cancelling Christmas - how ill is too ill?

[AnotherWorry]

4 of us all down with Viral Infections from hell.

We are due to have a house full Xmas eve and Xmas day but right now I can't imagine dragging myself out of bed let alone cook for a dozen people.

And there's the risk of making everyone else ill.

What do people do when they're ill and due to host?

How ill does one have to be to justify cancelling visitors?

I dont think there is a specific test. If you dont feel up to it, you don't feel up to it.

But, in your position I would consider this:

1. however bad you are feeling now, you may feel a lot better by Christmas Eve. 3 days can be a long time when it comes to illnesses.

2. presumably you are close to these people? you might really put them out cancelling at short notice, they will have to buy food themselves, maybe change long standing arrangements. Would it be possible instead to ask them to still come but to take the workload off you as much as possible? People like to muck in at Christmas. Maybe it won't be too arduous for you and you will feel better in their company?

But, if you don't feel you can manage, just say so.

too ill to host christmas:

can't get dressed
can't leave the loo
can't cook
can't string a conversation together
can't even think about music/alcohol
only feel comfortable in bed or under duvet on sofa

cancel now whilst there is still plenty of time for them to rearrange.

We are two days away from arrival of said guests - call after midday tomorrow to avoid age the question 'you might pick up in a day or so' and they still have plenty of notice to rearrange.

No you won't get well suddenly, certainly not all together, and even if you do, your energies will be so depleted it will be slog. No matter how fond they are of you, they are unlikely to enjoy your ashen faces picking at christmas lunch and retiring to sleep. Do not feel guilty this is best for them and you.

Think it entirely depends on how supportive said guests are- if they will come and muck in and let you rest then don't cancel. But if they come expected to be waited on hand and food then cancel.

I was V I'll Christmas 4 years ago- turned out to be morning sickness as was pregnant with DD. I'd been in bed the week before and very nearly cancelled- only for DSIS to turn up early without her now DH and DD to attend DSD2s school play with DH, finish off the Xmas shopping etc.

It took me 30 minutes to walk down the stairs that Xmas morning...

Can’t everyone chip in and help?

I was ill one year, couldn’t face cooking so my mum came and did it all for me, she even built dd’s Playmobil for me and did all the washing up.

You might be feeling better by Christmas Day, if you are going to cancel then I think you need to do it today so people have time to make other arrangements.

Ask them to do the cooking.