Are there positive things our Covid Christmas is offering us? (Lighthearted)

[BaconAndAvocado]

Usually we host a big family Christmas Day with relatives from 4 different households.

Living in Kent, we now face a Christmas with just the four of us.

Although I'm very sad I won't see our relatives I'm relieved that that won't be putting themselves into a risky situation (they are elderly and we have secondary-aged DCs).

We've decided that we aren't going to do a starter, not going to do 6 different veg at dinner, I won't be cleaning like a mad thing and we just get to please ourselves.

In the vein of Looking for a Silver Lining, does anyone else have any Covid Christmas Bonuses?

We usually spend Christmas at home alone so it’s pretty much the norm for us, though my dads just made me feel guilty and now I have to pop over to his in the afternoon because they have no visitors (his partners dd is abroad a uni so not coming home), I was kind of hoping I could use covid as an excuse not to go anywhere but we are in tier 2 and not breaking any rules of I go to his house.

I am pleased that I won’t have to see my DB, we have kind of fallen out and I’m trying to go NC so I’m pleased there’s no big family get togethers that we would both be invited too.

We enjoy Christmas at home (me and 2 teens), it’s stress free and we basically just do what we like all day and eat what we want.

DH and I have never spent Christmas together
Our families always want us to go home and to make life easier we’ve just split up so we could see everyone ( families in different parts of the country)
This will be our first year together after almost a decade. I’m really excited!

No tidying up first.
I can pyjamas all day.
Don't have to do as much washing up.
DH won't be grumpy because I made him see his family (he's delighted).

That sounds great Bailey

Yes no mad tidying and cleaning beforehand to host. Or if visiting parents or in-laws, no festive traffic jams. No panic that I have failed to diet in the months leading up. I can safely wear my PJ (bottoms, at least with a festive top) this year.

Can drink as much booze as I like without mother or MIL raising eyebrows (both basically tee total!)

PJ bottoms and a festive top??? Now you're talking!

My son has been in hospital since the start of December, we went in twice to goodbye. He rallied, haven't seen him face to face since December 13th
He's coming home tuesaday.
It's probably the best Christmas for me.
And selfishly I won't have to share him

Enjoy your Christmas chief

@Wankerchief Wonderful! So happy for you

Having seen my family only twice this year and having pinned my mental health hopes on being able to see them next week... DH and I are so desperate to find any positves that he genuinely said this morning "at least we'll get maximum use out of The Radio Times as we'll be at home". Wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry 🤣🤦🏻‍♀️

I am going to get to watch the Doctor Who special without my family interrupting me every five minutes to say “Is it not still David Tennant then?”

@Wankerchief that's great news

I normally host for around 10 people. This year is just me, DH, 7 year old DS and MiL who is elderly and has alzheimer's. She is absolutely lovely and so easy to entertain.

So, rather selfishly, I am looking forward to cooking on a much smaller scale which means I won't have to spend hours in the kitchen.

No massive stress about cleaning/tidying. I have cleaned/tidied this weekend but no stress to keep it immaculate.

I will have time to play with DS on Christmas day without having to move his presents so that people can move in the living room.

I teach in a secondary school and although I love my job, I obviously spend all day surrounded by loads of people so I am looking forward to some quiet!!

Our street WhatsApp has cranked up with people offering home made punch and food, there’s lots of chat and it feels nice to be close to neighbours.

My boyfriend (who I don't live with but am in a bubble was) was going to spend Christmas with his parents and sister. They are all in T4 area. Parents are strict about the rules so we had agreed that we wouldn't see each other during the Christmas period so they could maintain their bubble. Last night was meant to be our Christmas evening. We have now decided that he is going to spend Christmas with me and the kids, which means I dont have to suffer through endless monopoly and game of life by myself!!!!

DH and I are hopefully waking up in our own beds for the first time in our 11 years together, rather than having travelled to our parents.

That is, as long as this overdue baby makes an appearance & I’m not waking up in hospital

Gutted that Christmas is cancelled. My silver lining was at least I won't put on weight as no special food in and the only activity we can do is going for walks. I have just ordered a massive box of nice chocs so might need a new silver lining!

Rookiedog will be very happy that he doesn't need to go and stay at the dog walkers( SIL has chickens and he would have been spoilt rotten at dog walkers).

We do usually just have us but we are now getting to have only my one single friend who's lovely instead of my mum coming later after Christmas to moan at us.

@Wankerchief That is so incredibly lovely. I hope you have a perfect Christmas.

I’m excited to watch the call the midwife Christmas special without annoying family members talking over it.
Also looking forward to cooking our own roast the way we want it for once. My parents are lovely and I’ll miss them a lot but not the dry Turkey or veg that’s spent all day boiling away

DH has finished the decorating and most presents are wrapped, no trips to Manchester or Cardiff so more time to (over)do the decorations, cooking etc. Slightly hindered by urgent child care need.

I suspect that some people are secretly relieved at not having to do the BIG family christmas with all the stress of cooking, cleaning, whining and squabbling kids underfoot, complaining relatives etc. Instead just a quiet day of quality time with the immediate family. I also suspect that for years many would have preferred to do this but could not bring themselves to unilaterally cut down due to family pressure. So maybe next year they will announce that they enjoyed their "quiet little " christmas so much this year that they are going to continue in this vein.

Covid has given us all an excuse and an opportunity to re-asses and re-evaluate many relationships.

I’m happy not to have to travel and rush around trying to see as many people as possible. It’s lovely but exhausting! We live far away from our families so will be enjoying our first ever Christmas in our own home.