Covid Christmas

[QuornHub]

Before I get a flaming, yes, I know it's only June! But with talk in some circles of second waves/the virus having a resurgence in winter, as viruses will/further lockdowns if that happens, I've been thinking about Christmas.

I'm a Christmas blogger and usually around now companies are gearing up for their Christmas in July events where we basically get a sneak preview of what'll be instore for Christmas. Lots of food and drink sampling and conference rooms decked out in tinsel and fake snow even though it's often boiling outside! The shows are a real highpoint of the year for me and mark the point at which the back of the year is broken, as it were, and it's all downhill to Christmas.

So far I've had word that only a few events are going ahead and of course they'll be online this year. It's hard to taste a Christmas pud online! A lot of companies aren't even bothering, understandably.

Then of course there's the more sombre side of it all. Families possibly not being able to be together, families with members missing. And those who have lost jobs for whom Christmas will be another financial burden.

And the practicalities - queuing for the Christmas food shop in the snow and gales won't be fun, and I certainly don't envisage SD rules in supermarkets to be relaxed before the end of the year.

Seeing as we've had our summer/holidays/weddings etc taken from us this year it'd be nice to have something to look forward to at the end of the year, but how different is it going to be, I wonder? I know there are far more important things to be concerned about right now but it'd be so good to have something to look forward to, even if it is months away!

The Christmas just gone was a crappy one for us, if only we had known what was coming!

I was talking about next Christmas just the other night, and we are just have the most basic one we can, I do not think I will be buying much presents, if any and just get some special food and wine in.

Hoping and praying for a vaccine for 2021

This is that last year for believing for my youngest so planning ahead and making sure all the magical stuff still goes ahead. We won’t be visiting a grotto or Christmas market I imagine.

As for seeing family I’m hoping that will be possible by then. If not most will ignore it anyway.

I start buying Xmas presents in about September - often beginning at Burghley Horse Trial, which are not happening this year.

I expect I'll start making online orders about then instead (pity as I like browsing and looking at things in RL - no matter how good the website it's not the same)

I haven't even started to think about the extra food/drink I usually get in. But I'm sure I'll come up with something. Spreading the cost is pretty handy anyhow

I've bought all except Baby DS Toy Story Buzz and Woody and new clothes.

Going to make a list soon of close family presents and aim to have them by October then just DS11 to do but will keep an eye out for offers from after his Sept birthday...

Hoping to move house in Summer so hoping for a bigger freezer so it will fit Xmas goodies as soon as they are available and hopefully a spare cupboard to stock up. Alcohol will be purchased in advance 😊

Christmas blogger? That sounds like my dream job!

I worry about this Christmas too. I think it will be very different to normal with no big Christmas parties, no school plays etc... I would self isolate for two weeks before Christmas Day though as I couldn't not see my family.

I’ve lost my job although thankfully even if I don’t have another by then Christmas won’t need to be cancelled. However, we are looking at ways to change it a bit.

It would be my plan to look at buying a family present for us all and then each a smaller gift to open individually on the day. In respect of extended family I am going to propose buying only for children under 10 and my parents.

We will host Christmas dinner and I frankly don’t care about whether we are in lockdown or not, we will be having wider family over, assuming they are happy to attend.

I am slightly hoping for a reset Christmas this year. Fewer things we ‘have’ to go to. I’ll be sorry to miss out on work nights out with my colleagues - those are my favourite.

We were expecting a full house of lots of people to stay. I’ll be fine if that gets cancelled. So will the guests, I think.

I feel super sorry for hospitality and retail. No one is going to be buying much extra stuff are they?

Christmas is a long way off and things can change, but we've already talked about it. If queuing is still happening and we're still being careful, then I think we won't be buying for so many (will tell them beforehand). Also, not sure how we'll feel about lots of get togethers with friends, seeing five different families over 3/4 days. I'll give it to DH, he's even said that if we only see one other person for Xmas it has to be my Mum as she's on her own. Two families we know have dogs, so might be a case of an hour's walk, fresh air will do us good!

I hope we'll be allowed to stay with family. I haven't seen my parents since November (they are in their 70s and we live in different countries). Received a message from them last week about how COVID is eating in to the healthy lifetime they have left. Don't really care about gifts and decorations, just want to see my folks.

The only thing I am worried about are massive queue to the shops. Can’t imagine waiting for 2 hours outside.

I do the vast majority of my Christmas shopping online anyway so no major change.
I will be seeing my mum and my dad and stepmum regardless of what the ‘rules’ are at that point.

@Angel2702 not meant to be argumentative at all but when you said:

This is that last year for believing for my youngest

I wondered how you know that?!

I always shop online and tbh Christmas gives me anxiety so I prep well in advance. I don’t mind what we eat as long as the gifts are done. Some might get sent direct to recipient from retailer rather than wrapping and posting myself which feels a bit soulless but might be better depending on how things are.

Hoping to host my parents if we can but won’t put them at risk if there’s a second wave.

We hope to go skiing.

I hope there will be singing by Christmas as it would be sad not to go to a carol service.

Well thanks to this thread I've just bought my first present and have started making lists.

I do most online anyway but longer postage times and stock levels taking time to replenish that and the economy could do with the boost as well means it is as good a time as any to start now if you can

[quote Saladmakesmesad]@Angel2702 not meant to be argumentative at all but when you said:

This is that last year for believing for my youngest

I wondered how you know that?![/quote]
She is 9 with two older brothers. We’ve done well to get this far, this year we wanted to make it special as the chances of her really believing next year are slim.

We're not doing gifts this year as I'm due my 2nd baby Christmas Day. Will get a few little bits for DD who will be 14 months but she won't understand what's going on anyway. Similarly we won't be faffing with a Christmas dinner incase I go into labour, we've planned on stocking up on party food and having that throughout December and having the extra nice party stuff on Christmas Day. We will be having a "proper" Christmas Day in January with a full Christmas 3 course meal etc, so ours will be very different this year regardless.

Christmas. Sitting around stuffing your face and drinking too much. Sounds a bit too much like now tbh.

For those forward planning everything£5 has some nice Christmas bits when I looked

I've already made lists. Will start buying after eofy. We have summer Christmas and after the devastating summer last year (fires) , covid and general shit storm that has been 2020 thus far, Iam pulling my head out of my arse - I usually dread/hate Christmas- but I'm going to ramp up the enthusiasm this year x 100.