Not a chance in hell of a proper Christmas?

[ShortFatandDumpy]

So I'm in lockdown after weeks of local restrictions here in Wales.

I keep hearing the "if we clamp down now we can have a proper xmas" line being spouted out.
That's bullshit isn't it.
Cases started to surge (in the areas that have seen a surge) at the start to mid September when schools and unis went back and after a good 6 to 8 weeks of more social interaction over August.

So I'm in Wales, on day 1of a so say short sharp 17 day lockdown. IF and I mean IF this Lock down ends in 17 days time that's about 7 weeks ish to Xmas, surely that will be prime peaking out of control time again for Covid hospital admissions??
Even if we go back to our local restrictions here, there's not been a great slow in numbers. I just cant see Xmas happenning either unless we stay locked down until mid December, and no way does anyone want that.
Someone local posted on our community page our area has had only 9 weeks free of restrictions since March!! No idea how true that is, I've lost track but it certainly feels like it.
Add on top of that, people like me live in a rural area and have been unable to travel to larger shops for weeks now. Normally by now I've done the kids Primark stocking filler haul, but I havnt been able to get into Cardiff for weeks now. If we keep on the restrictions, I won't be able to do Xmas shopping. I have Amazon Prime but bloody hell the price difference is quite vast compared to budget shops!
I'm so fed up and can't see anything like a normal Xmas. Ive also student kids in 2 tier 3 cities and parents in England. I'm licked in Wales and so fed up.
Anyone else thinking and feeling the same?

Drakeford probably classes Christmas stuff as "non essential" anyway!

True!

There won’t be a normal Christmas for anyone in the UK this year whether it’s missing out on seeing extended family, no pantos, no Christmas markets, no Christmas show at school, no carefree fun shopping trips and for some very unlucky souls no job, no money, risk of or homelessness and the loss of a family member or friend.

"There won’t be a normal Christmas for anyone in the UK this year whether it’s missing out on seeing extended family, no pantos, no Christmas markets, no Christmas show at school, no carefree fun shopping trips and for some very unlucky souls no job, no money, risk of or homelessness and the loss of a family member or friend."

And then there's the religious observations to consider.

I'd doubt any govt is prepared to be the COVID scrooge. There will be a lifting of sorts for a couple of days.

I don't know what people are thinking when they say if we clamp down now Christmas will be normal. It's bollocks. I mean, okay, Christmas MIGHT be normal .. but the whole country gathering with groups of family, hugging, kissing, travelling to other parts of the country .. even if cases have fallen by then, you can guarantee they'll be up again within a couple of weeks.

The only way this virus is going is if we get to literally ZERO cases in the world (which obviously is never, ever going to happen) or if we find an effective vaccine that enough people are willing to accept. I can't see this happening before Christmas either, as we're getting closer and closer, and it's not like everyone can be vaccinated within a few days, it'll take ages.

I am feeling so low about the whole thing it's unreal.

It depends what you mean by a proper Xmas?

I won't be able to see my family but I'll throw all my energy into making fabulous food, christmassy music & games, taking DS to outdoor events, meeting friends carefully outside, and having video calls with everyone we care about.

It won't be a 'normal' Christmas but I'm determined it isn't going to be subdued.

@Rosehip10

Drakeford probably classes Christmas stuff as "non essential" anyway!

Isn't it??

A Christmas Tree is definitely not essential. I'm going to put tinsel and fairy lights on my old vacuum cleaner (not a new one, non-essential) to see if I can get the same festive vibe.

I was talking to my sister last night, we have resigned ourselves to not seeing each other over Christmas, at the most I think there will be a slight easing for Christmas day only, which doesn't work for us (distance)

There is no chance in two months time there will be any normality.

We won't be seeing our extended family but we'll have nice food, play games and have zoom calls with our relatives. So yes different, but not necessarily bad.

Can we have a Christmas tree?

@sunflowers246

Can we have a Christmas tree?

Why can’t you?

Someone down the thread asked about using tinsel instead of a tree this year.

Having a tree helps the festive feeling 🌲!

There’s no chance of anything like a normal Christmas in the devolved countries. England might Get closest because the idiot running things there probably quite fancies “Boris saves Christmas!” Type headlines. But they shouldn’t have a normal Christmas!

But I think lots of people will ignore the rules at Christmas anyway and just do what they want.

January is going to be atrocious.

Christmas will be the same for me.
There's only 4 of us including the dog.
We will eat the same food,watch the same Xmas movies.
I'm not in Wales I'm in Newcastle and in tier 2.
Feel sad there's no Xmas markets this year but hey ho.

Depends on your idea of Christmas. I’ve already done most of my shopping, order the turkey and sorted an afternoon movie and crossword puzzle.

I think they will allow a short window over Xmas and say do as you please from this date till this date (if we get numbers down before then )
Because if any MP gets caught out visiting family or breaking any sort of restriction rule the uk will go ballistic . I think We'l get a 10 day window .

Its the constant changing and the needing to think of a plan B and C that is stressing me out atm. I would be happier if they came out and said "sorry, no Christmas" a month in advance tbh.

What does 'no Christmas' mean?

No turkey? No tree? No Father Christmas? No presents? No time off work? No immediate family?

To me the only difference is that we can't see our extended family. We'll have to zoom instead this year. But everything else will be pretty much the same .

We always have super quiet Christmases so for us they’ll be no difference.

It’s going to be a much quieter Christmas with some elements missing but I’m not going to let that spoil the whole festive season for my family. Fuck that.

Bollocks will I spend December in the grips of ‘woe is me’. I will make the best of it no matter if something we usually do is off the table and look forward to next year.

What's not 'proper' about this Christmas?

You can still decorate your house, have a tree, have presents, eat lovely food, take a couple of days of work, watch movies, play games, phone or video call your extended family!

I'm actually looking forward to it.

Unless we're not allowed Christmas trees, presents, nice food and no telephones or video calls

Christmas day is just one day. There is a bigger picture - thats not to say i agree or disagree with lockdown but lets not base it all on one day surely.

Well I am still having christmas. I am immunocompromised and have been incredibly careful since this started. We have a few bubbles- Me hubby and 3 teenage kids, my sister and her 2 kids who I am a carer for, and my daughter and son in law. My daughter is pregnant and so is being V careful and my sister mixes with nobody apart from mine and my daughters bubble. We will be seeing my sister and her boys on Christmas day for a an hour to give the kids presents. Then my daughter and her OH will be coming to ours for dinner. Boxing day we will likely all get together for a buffet and some party games. I couldn't care less about any restrictions.

People didn't cause this ridiculous level of infection. The government and their absolute shambles of a half baked, far too late plan did it and now they are trying to blam the citizens of the country they are supposed to govern.