If covid strikes at Xmas?

[slippersockgrey]

Covid is rife where I am - previously not had that much around. I suspect there is a good chance of someone being affected in the run up to Xmas. Everyone I know are having plans cancelled at the last minute currently with covid in the house in some form - positives / isolating / awaiting tests etc.

Are you doing anything differently in the run up to Xmas?

We're away for Xmas but are making sure we have all the makings of Xmas dinner here just in case of a last minute cancellation etc. Also trying to do a bit less in the 2 weeks before - some not avoidable - slightly regretting panto tickets now....

I've done the same as last year, I've bought a frozen turkey etc so I'm prepared for family visiting. But I've also bought a duck, ready for a roast dinner for 2 if the rest of the family can't make it for any reason.

Last year we finally had the turkey in August, so hoping to improve on that this year.

It certainly helped me when things were cancelled last year to know I had a back up plan, and did not have to worry about wasting food.

Food for a week in the freezer, presents tucked away. Plenty of fuel for the log burner.

We'll manage to have a good time, regardless of covid, bad weather, unexpected visitors or lockdown isolation.

We’re isolating for 5 days and testing before we meet the old people.

We had covid last Christmas. My advice would be to make sure that, if you are planning a big multi family meal, all households have a spare Christmas dinner/nice meal in just in case. Last year we were isolating w turkey and trimmings for 8 and my poor parents just had fish out of the freezer

We always have potatoes, carrots and broccoli in, but i have added some turkey and ingredients to make pigs in blankets and stuffing to the freezer. We love a roast so they will be eaten regardless.

I had a delivery of wine and frozen party food from Tesco today so I am well prepared.

We were isolating from 14-24 December last year and we couldn’t get any Christmas stuff in our online delivery, it had all sold out. So I had to do all the shopping on Christmas Eve. Couldn’t get a Turkey. We got a lot of cheese! This year I will make sure we have enough nice food to feed the family for a week and everything else will be more last minute. I’m getting increasingly concerned whether big Christmas gatherings will be sensible this year ( even if they are allowed). We may stick to winter walks with family if rates keep increasing.

My kids don't break up until 21st so I'm a bit worried about that but not much we can do. I think I will get the perishables shopping done a bit earlier than I would have done. Also, I discovered bread mixes during lockdown so will do a combo of those and making bread myself to avoid the shops.
I will be wearing a mask everywhere, which I have been anyway. I don't have a work Christmas do but DH does so there is risk. I've had flu and colds at Christmas regularly and I think that's due to shopping/socialising so I guess it's part of the same risk.
Good point about guests having a back up in the freezer! I hate the thought of my in laws having a tin of soup on Christmas Day.

What about events etc - like theatre / panto or pre Christmas gatherings / parties - are you still going knowing it may create an infection that wipes out Xmas day plans or just carrying on and hoping for the best?

We have a selection of plans in the 10 day run up. All important and with different important people....but Xmas day plans this year is also really important and don't want covid in the house to derail it as we aren't alone over the 3 days - such a dilemma.

Yep I’ve done a Cook Christmas dinner order in case we have to stay home. That’s it really!

Before Christmas we’ve only booked outdoor activities - ice skating, light show in a park, tobogganing, woodland trail which will hopefully decrease our risk. We have theatre booked for 6th Jan - a postponement from last year.

Finished present shopping already

Freezer is full

No events booked except free ones

I'm teaching in a school full of covid so I'm expecting to come down with it any time. What will be will be.

I am just hoping for DH home for Christmas, covid has robbed him of so much despite the fact none of us have had it. He is currently in hospital after a massive stroke, he already has terminal cancer. Covid is a non-entity here.

@slippersockgrey

What about events etc - like theatre / panto or pre Christmas gatherings / parties - are you still going knowing it may create an infection that wipes out Xmas day plans or just carrying on and hoping for the best?

We have a selection of plans in the 10 day run up. All important and with different important people....but Xmas day plans this year is also really important and don't want covid in the house to derail it as we aren't alone over the 3 days - such a dilemma.

Well last year we pulled the kids out of school a week early so we could self isolate and see family at Christmas and all we managed to do was lock ourselves away at home with COVID anyway (thanks ds1). So this year we are being more fatalistic and just taking things 1 day at a time. We will be doing a lot of lft though.

@bloodywhitecat I'm so sorry that's really shit. I hope you get dh home and you have a peaceful Xmas.

OP all I've booked is drive in movie and outside light show. Won't be doing panto etc. However kids at school up to and inc 23/12 so 🤷🏻‍♀️

nope
We go to crib service on Christmas Eve then to morning service on Christmas Day.
if these are cancelled then they are cancelled.

we plan to have PILs over on Christmas day (same as last year) - if we can't then we can't.
no plans otherwise because we are very happy to not do anything and not see anyone.
But if we can arrange things last minute, spontaneously that will be nice.

I’ve arranged panto / Santa visit / family drinks do / Work Christmas Do all within the first few weeks and at least 10 days away from Christmas Day.

In the week before I’m planning just to do Christmassy crafts with the kids at home or outdoor walks with friends.

@bloodywhitecat

I am just hoping for DH home for Christmas, covid has robbed him of so much despite the fact none of us have had it. He is currently in hospital after a massive stroke, he already has terminal cancer. Covid is a non-entity here.

Rather brings things into perspective! I hope your DH makes a good recovery from the stroke and that you have some good time together while you can.

I really dont get all the angst over covid still. The vast majority of folk are vaccinated and while cases may be rising hospitilisations and deaths are not. I think some people just like being doom mongers. Life has to go back to normal.

@MrsBerthaRochester for me it's not doom and gloom like I'm scared or worried about catching it.....I'm not really bothered tbh.

What I am concerned about is the current rules means that Christmas could be ruined again is someone gets it in our house or in a family member who we are supposed to be staying with.

The kids have had so much disappointment since this started. Like - tons of things being missed / cancelled due to lockdowns / testing / isolation etc. We're all fed up and just want a nice, normal Christmas. The only thing I'm worried about is that being taken away but until they remove the isolation rules, that worry will always be there.

@MrsBerthaRochester

I really dont get all the angst over covid still. The vast majority of folk are vaccinated and while cases may be rising hospitilisations and deaths are not. I think some people just like being doom mongers. Life has to go back to normal.

This is a little insensitive after what bloodywhitecat shared.

@MrsBerthaRochester

I really dont get all the angst over covid still. The vast majority of folk are vaccinated and while cases may be rising hospitilisations and deaths are not. I think some people just like being doom mongers. Life has to go back to normal.

The rules around isolating and testing still exist. That’s the issue.

Again, not doom and gloom here, but a realistic acknowledgment that an average of 40,000 people are testing positive every day at the moment, and that those people then need to self-isolate, even if they are not ill (many will feel unwell, even if nothing too serious)

Assuming the rate stays similar until perhaps the schools break up, that provides scope for an awful lot of plans to get messed up. The angst is about that, as much as anything, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable!

We isolated last Christmas and it was a very bonding experience actually. We made meals out of the freezer and store cupboard (lots of baking) friends helped deliver stuff as well. Lots of movies on tv - stayed up later which the kids loved got up when we wanted and actually wasn’t that bad
So this year we are doing everything knowing that if it does happen it happens

I don’t have any plans. Hopefully it’s not going to strike on Christmas Eve or day for us, but then previous years if I was struck down with the flu it’d be ruined anyway and I never made plans for that.