Christmas dilemma - what would you do?

[nanbread]

It's our "turn" to see GPs 1 this year for Christmas (we saw GPs 2 last year).

But GPs 1 live far away, aren't in such good health, and we are likely to be in very different tiers (ours would be higher, their rate is v low). They also probably wouldn't want us to stay at their house. We are sticking to current guidelines and not going into shops or work etc

Our options are:

1. Just stay at home by ourselves throughout

1. Visit GPs 2 and also see other siblings and their DC, which might upset GPs 1.

1. Visit GPs 1 and siblings and DC on that side who live nearby, but socially distance as much as possible and stay in a hotel or Airbnb

1. Stay at home Xmas day, but visit GPs 2 on Boxing Day just for the day. (4 hour round trip)

GPs 1 is too far away for a day trip.

(GPs 2 might not want us either of course if we are in a higher tier etc, but have taken a much more relaxed approach to the whole thing throughout)

I'm happy to stay at home if that's what is best, but DC would really love to see relatives and it would feel much more festive after a tricky year.

Actually, just reading back through some of the thread, if your dc are still in school until the 18th, there could quite easily be a Covid positive case on the last day, in which case, your dc would need to isolate anyway.

Ds is now on his third isolation since Sept! With this in mind and with his last day being the 18th too, we’re just planning on spending it at home. This way at least we’ll be organised, food ordered just for us etc

Bear in mind that you could only see GPs and one sibling plus family, because it's rule of 3. Then, those people couldn't see anyone else. Does that make things tricky for those that live near GP1?

Hmm... Possibly, as the adult step child of one sibling might want to see them. Hadn't thought of that. They might be bubbling, in which case they'd count as one household I think.

If GPs2 are seeing lots of people they could be at risk of passing it to you.

True, but they are currently only seeing people outdoors, but the area they live in has quite a low number of cases so I think the risk is minimal.

I'm more worried about one of their children who thinks the whole thing is a hoax and is doing what the hell they like in terms of staying with friends, not wearing masks etc during this lockdown. They'll also be there at Christmas.

Actually, just reading back through some of the thread, if your dc are still in school until the 18th, there could quite easily be a Covid positive case on the last day, in which case, your dc would need to isolate anyway.

That's true, although our school has had zero cases so far by some miracle

I don't love the idea of the kids waking up in some cheap crappy hotel with no tree on Christmas day.
Will cheap crappy hotels even be open?

Most hotels will have Christmas trees up in their restaurants and foyers won't they? If you want the luxury of a Christmas tree in your room/suite then you need to go to a luxury hotel.

Just say that you can't visit under these stipulations and the covid risk. I really coyldn't be arsed to teavel with small kids to such a non destive scenario. Save the trip for the post vaccine world and plan something lovely. Christmas rotas mean nothing more that a visible definition of fair, regardless if circs, in this case. Pointless

Most hotels will have Christmas trees up in their restaurants and foyers won't they?

I'm not sure they will bother tbh, as I imagine so few people will be using them and they'll be trying to cut costs.

Not like we can put presents under the ones in the foyer anyway!

It transpires that GPs2 are actually having xmas lunch at siblings house now, we've been invited but like I said we'd be sleeping on the floor on a blow up mattress etc.

It's a shame it's so far away and we can't pop to see them for a walk.

Sorry I mean GPs 1 are having lunch with sibling and family

So they can't be that bothered by Covid after all

There will be children there who currently have multiple cases in their school

Also hotel restaurants are currently closed, and while I think they will be in tier 2, I wonder if many will bother reopening them...

A shabby hotel and a social distanced meal with a window open?

No.

After the year we've all had, just do what you want (including the children of course).

Put normal turn taking on hold.

Stay home, all the other options sound like a pain in the arse.