Dh and dc isolating in Madeira over Christmas - any ideas to make their time there better?

[ChristmasInMadeira]

Dh took our 2 dc (15 and 12) to Madeira for a week away with his parents. They were due to be home last Saturday but unfortunately one of them tested positive on a lateral flow the day before they were due to fly home.

They have been moved to a small hotel room and ,will need to stay there until they can be retested on the 27th, from what I can gather. They’re all well.

My sons are gutted, they understand what’s happening but really enjoy our family Christmases at home. Can anyone suggest any ways I could brighten up their Christmas Day? They seem to have UberEats in Funchal, so dh could get some nice food and maybe a couple of small gifts delivered. We will do a Zoom quiz or something (god knows we did enough of those last year with extended family) in the evening. If anyone has any other suggestions I’d love to hear them.

Feel free to judge away regarding international travel in a pandemic btw, no one will say anything dh or I haven’t already berated ourselves with. As a tiny bit of justification his dad had a major health scare this year and dh was petrified of passing up potentially the last opportunity to go away with him. I didn’t go due to logistics and caring responsibilities here.

Thanks.

There's a similar thread running on WIWIKAU on Facebook. They are suggesting online versions of Jackbox, Linkee, Genius Square, Genius Star and Rummikub, along with setting up Kahoot quizzes.

Oh, you poor things - what are going to do yourself?

Don't forget that Dec 25th is just one day out of 365. It's disappointing, but you're only postponing it. That family visit will give a lifetime of memories & think how much the boys will have to talk about when they go back to school, as they're having an adventure.

I loved Netflix Party with friends in the early stages of the pandemic. We had the chat on the side plus a (muted) FaceTime so people could always stop the movie and chat about something that had happened for a bit. It would drive some mad but we really enjoyed it, could you do something like that all together? It feels pretty close to watching a movie all together at home as you can comment and chat to each other as you go.

I’ve just asked to join WIWIKAU so hopefully I’ll get some good ideas there.

I’ve not heard of Netflix Party (Luddite here) but that sounds just what we need.

Like the idea of reframing it @HewasH2O, I’ve been trying to be positive but dh has been so gloomy the last couple of days. However I’ve discovered that’s because he’s been caffeine depleted after moving to a hotel without a hob for his stovetop coffee pot 🤦 . Am really hoping he finds some good coffee via ubereats as it really will make a difference to him! First world problem and all that.

Thanks for asking @Sittinginthesand but we’ll go to my mum’s and be ok, although we’ll still miss them terribly.

www.facebook.com/groups/488235648182391/permalink/1599328193739792/

Hopefully this will work for you.

@HewasH2O

www.facebook.com/groups/488235648182391/permalink/1599328193739792/

Hopefully this will work for you.

It has worked, thanks so much.

Did everyone have a good day?

When I first posted, I was going to have a normal Christmas with DH & DD (19). Yesterday DH tested positive for Covid, DD was negative, so she decided to move back to (hopefully) safety in her room at uni & spend Christmas Day alone, cooking lunch for one with stuff from my freezer. I now have first hand experience of how challenging your Christmas is. She can get decent coffee though.

@HewasH2O I’m so sorry 😞 . I hope you managed to find some joy in the day, and your dh isn’t poorly.

We had a good day thank you, although we missed the Madeira contingent terribly. They gave up and just treated it like another day to be endured in their little room. Fingers crossed they’ll be home in a day or 2 and we will celebrate then 🥳

So pleased it worked out for you. They'll be hone soon.