Ideas for making a COVID winter bearable

[WearyandBleary]

I need some plans to make winter bearable with social distancing etc. I assume it will be much like now. I am dreading christmas without church and carol singing and family occasions.

I’ve been thinking about buying a whole load of festive lights and maybe some posh furry throws. It’s a bit desperate but I need ideas. Anyone got any plans or suggestions?

We're doing huge throws, fancy hot chocolate mugs, buying films in charity shops, nice scarves and gloves for long walks, cake baking equipment, new chairs for my daughters rooms to study in case of school closures, comfy clothes like joggers and warm Jumpers for lounging around in, fairy lights.

Sounds like you're heading a bit hygge in your ideas, maybe read some hygge books and embrace the whole hygge theme with cooking, reading books etc. Probably sounds just as desperate but it might give you some ideas

Good ideas - yes it is desperate but these are desperate times... lounge wear is a good idea and a film fest is good - we usually have a list of Christmas films but don’t see them all.

Oh I’m dreading it too. I love Christmas with all the shopping and Christmas lights. Vists to father Christmas, and Christmas market and Christmas nights out and visiting family and multiple trips to church for carols and cristingle and the school nativity etc. And the Extended family trip to buy our Christmas trees and drink mulled wine. Oh it’s too sad...

How can we make it fun! I don’t care about presents I just want the people x

I know fox! I can hardly bear the thought of standing in the cold outside my old mum’s house watching her unwrap presents... or even buying presents for people we won’t meet up with. It’s too miserable!

Socially distant outdoor carols? Frosty outdoors walks? Mulled wine round a bonfire?

I think the Xmas parties are scuppered sadly.

Card games, board games, making homemade Christmas stuff, I think we'll have to improvise

Zoom carol singing?
Even if schools arent closed i expect many would take kids out over 2w before so they can see the grandparents

Im also going with films, blankets, hot chocolate vibe. Am also getting stuff in for a craft project to feel like I've achieved something. Plus so new board games.

But it is going to be pretty dull, I fear

Anyone have any ideas for Christmas with a 2 year old? I’m sad that I won’t get to take him to meet Father Christmas and do other Christmassy things, which last year he was too little too enjoy.

Could we just not hibernate like bears and come out in the spring just in time for the vaccine?

@vera99

Could we just not hibernate like bears and come out in the spring just in time for the vaccine?

YES

We're going for coziness. Books, blankets, twinkly lights, lots of baking and a scented candle or two. Maybe some long family walks with a thermos of tea.

Sponge what about one of those advent calendars that have a little story book each day? And a routine around reading that each morning maybe?

Organise/take part in an advent calendar window trail in your area.

Decorate your house so that it will look nice from outside.

Go for socially distanced walks to collect greenery to decorate your house.

Have a street carol singing session with people singing from doors and windows.

If you normally go to church, maybe get lots of people each making a part of a life-sized nativity scene to put outside the church for passers by to see.

Perhaps we'll try charades over zoom with other family members. Might read the Christmas story over zoom too and play some carols in the background. Going to try and get out even if it's cold. Encourage my daughter to perhaps make some Christmas gifts to help pass the time

Play secret Santa, bake cakes or biscuits or wrap up little gifts and choose a different person to leave a surprise gift on their doorstep each night in December.

I'm also investing in a patio heater and fire pit now so we can sit outside with visitors for a short time.

Bring back Christmas cards, and write meaningful messages inside to everyone you miss. Maybe make it a thing among your family and friends.

Make no plans then you can't be disappointed if they get cancelled, instead be open to spontaneity should a social opportunity to arise. Last minute plans are generally more enjoyable.

Outdoor seating even in winter might be doable with heaters etc there's a thought..

One of my friends has been reading (out of copyright) stories on Facebook live over lockdown. You could do a family reading of A Christmas Carol or other wintery story.

Or get a deck of these beautiful story cards. I love using them to tell stories on dark winter nights.
www.amazon.co.uk/Storyworld-Christmas-Tales-Create-Story/dp/0763655732/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&s=books&text=John+And+Caitlin+Matthews&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1595887636&refinements=p_27%3AJohn+And+Caitlin+Matthews&sr=1-3

I'm planning to get Disney plus when the weather turns.

I'm dreading it.
Really want to get someone in to decorate the downstairs loo and I need to de-junk everything.
I might buy some kettle bells and a wintery gym layer so I can keep on working out outside.

We're hoping we can still get out and about in the winter, while still bearing in mind there may be a second wave/lockdown. We've just booked for Lapland UK, and the Museum of London/Docklands always do lovely Christmas displays, and both museums are opening next month so hopefully will still be open. We'll be going to the various other museums and galleries that are starting to open. We've got zoo membership so we'll be going every week, rain or shine. Christmas shop window displays and Christmas lights (but we probably won't be interested in actually going inside the shops). Park walks with wellies and cosy knits. Light toys.

Father Christmas may well come online!

Don’t forget to post Christmas cards, it will make someone’s day.

I think gifts will be in short supply even general stuff you’d normally get. I think a lot of food items will be limited with businesses closing and supplies being low, manufactures not able to work at full capacity.

If there’s anything in particular it’s best to start getting it now.

I love the idea of this thread. Hoping if I place mark now I can still find it on my watched threads in a few months time