Covid Christmas Run Up Ideas

[SGIB14]

I woke up this morning with the sudden panic about Christmas. The Christmas lights and events are being cancelled in our area and I'm assuming Santa visits will be very different if they even go ahead this year. I'm just trying to get prepared for my boys to make sure they can have a Christmas that feels as normal as possible. No panto, no Christmas light switch on, possibly no big family Christmas.
Does anyone have any ideas of making this Christmas, and the run up too, extra special to end a very difficult year on a high.

Can't remember the last time I did a Xmas without panto, :(

Outdoor ice skating? (Will sharing boots be allowed?)

Driving round to see all the Xmas lights on houses

If restrictions persist we'll still make December lovely, ideas thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/4021821-If-restrictions-persist-well-still-make-December-lovely-ideas-thread

This thread has some lovely ideas on it

I think trying to make it what it used to be just won't work given all the likely restrictions. Instead maybe try switching the focus to a hygge style Christmas? So family walks looking at people's lights or going to the woods to collect pine cones then coming home to a lovely warm house, cosy blankets, twinkly lights and hot drinks. Instead of big days out you could plan things at home such as movie nights, games nights, crafting or baking sessions. I think we need to accept that this year will be very different but that doesn't necessarily mean bad.

@MarmaladeTeepee I’ve been thinking how I can make Christmas “like normal”, but you’re right, it just won’t be, so I need to embrace that instead. Thanks for giving a new perspective. I like the idea of “hygge style Christmas” 😊

I’m going to miss the Panto and ice skating too.
No works Christmas meal! No Carol concerts or school plays. No church services. Christmas markets will be limited. As will the lights being switched in.

In some ways I’m looking forward to a smaller Christmas. Maybe people will appreciate the additions next year.

Yes. I'm happy to embrace the quieter side of things too.

No works Christmas meal

That's a win in my view!

Our local zoo are still doing Halloween and Christmas events - I was quite surprised and had written everything like that off. I'm going have to do a bit more research and see what else i can find!

We’re going to stream this panto www.ents24.com/online-events/online-streaming-events/jack-and-the-beanstalk-panto-online/6131336

We’re going to do our own outdoor lights this year and have our own switch-on with sparklers and gingerbread s’mores.

Instead of a trip to Santa we’re going to get a letter from Santa www.laplandletters.co.uk

I’ve bought a gingerbread house kit from Lakeland and this 3D puzzle www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/puzzles-christmas-gingerbread-house-three-dimensional-puzzle_R03660066/

Oh I love these ideas!!!
We do elf on the shelf so I've just ordered a advent calendar that the elf goes so you fill the bags with small treats. Then the elf can send a letter to say sorry we can't visit him anywhere before Christmas etc.
We've had a very tough lockdown and my boys have been truely amazing so just really want to make 2020 Christmas a bit more special

It’s the little things that make the magic - so when you come home from a crispy walk (whether cold or wet) and the heating is on so the house is cosy (open fire/stove already lit is a bonus but it’s about coming into warmth and cosines). Having the ingredients already out or very easy to grab for hot choc with squirt cream, sprinkles or mini marshmallows to thaw out, and maybe a favourite biscuit/snack. You might not normally allow squirty cream, but it can be useful on occasion - and it lasts a long time (date wise) in fridge - perhaps not so long once DCs realise it’s in there 🤣

And while you might normally do baking with DCs, Christmas baking can be special by different flavours and spices. Or by getting different colours for icing and a couple of choices of sprinkles or choc chips etc for decorations. Or make a gingerbread house with a variety of different sweets etc for decorating (and eating while you decorate). I got things like strawberry laces and rainbow strips last year to help decorate cookies as snowmen.

Or slightly easier, a few years ago dd made marshmallow snowmen for everyone in her class - a giant marshmallow as a body, regular sized one as head, and mini one (dipped in choc and resting on a chocolate button) as a hat. We used white choc to glue body together, and milk choc on a cocktail stick to “draw” features. A piece of Strawberry laces would work well as a scarf for that too.

Oohh yes I've just ordered some new cookie making bits and bobs and some gift bags too so they can give their cookies as gifts. I guess it's just about back to basics a bit and crafting and creating the magic.
I was in B&M today and they have a fantastic little cinema kit for £5 so I'm going to transform a room into a Christmas cinema with fluffy blankets and hot chocolates for one of the weekend days on the run up to Christmas.
I love the idea of gingerbread houses too I'm definitely going to do one of those and some little gingerbread men.
Last year we did a long of long walks finding pine cones which we then used in crafts so that'll be on the to do list again.
It'll be lovely it just takes a bit more organising I guess.

Car park panto might be worth a try if near you? - www.carparkparty.com/

Last year we watched panto in the cinema which was okay. I'm hoping a few places do that this year.
Other than that, Xmas movies with hot chocolate and marshmallows, fill the house and garden with decorations.
Make a log house out of chocolate fingers and icing or a gingerbread.
Toast marshmallows on the bbq?