Anyone else disappointed Christmas is NOT cancelled?

[disneydatknee]

2 points I want to cover here. Firstly, when the 2nd lockdown came into play across the UK we kind of resigned ourselves to the fact we wouldn't be able to spend christmas with our extended families. We were actually relieved to not have to commit to any plans and just spend christmas with my husband and children. Secondly, covid doesnt just take a holiday. I'm not convinced it's such a good idea to mix with other families over the course of 5 days for the sake of saving christmas. My parents are putting the pressure on for us to visit on boxing day now that restrictions have been lifted. I was kind of looking forward to a quiet christmas this year just us and the children. Anyone else not keen on it being a "normal" christmas this year? I know it's a selfish opinion before anyone points that out. Shit. This has been a strange year!

I’m sick of all this “Covid is spreading because people are dicks” - Covid is spreading because it’s a virus, it’s behaving like a virus and rife in schools and workplaces.
Those people aren’t “being dicks” they are going to school/work.

To echo a previous poster I think the government have made a grave mistake in not extending school holidays - families are going to meet up regardless

I’d love to see what miserable lives people who want Christmas cancelled live.

Those that don’t want to do the big Christmas thing can do just that

We can just "do that", but come January, I would rather not be living in a country with a death toll mounting ever higher, where hospitals are overrun, where covid rates are sky high and where my kids are forced into schools with no social distancing and if we keep them at home for a few weeks to weather it out, we get fined or lose their place. Or I get threatened with legal action.

I am CEV and I want to have a life and I want my kids to have a parent thanks.

We are sadly a bit more interconnected than you seem to think, the careful people, the cautious risk takers and the more stupid or selfish ones.

@herecomesthsun

well as someone CEV, I am rather fearful of January. If they are encouraging everyone to get together over Christmas then they should allow CEV families the option to have Christmas off school (that would be good for a petition actually)

soz that should be time in January off school. Sorry about the typo

Unless there is a miracle this will be DP's last Christmas, he has a rare aggressive cancer and has months to live so we will be seeing family and we will exceed the bubble of three rule.

@bloodywhitecat Sorry to hear that, all the best for this very special last Christmas.

Its so tricky isnt it. I completely understand those who think it might be their last christmas (like pp) breaking all the rules. A friends dad is likely to have his last christmas and theyre doing similarly.

Aside from that I think unfortunately many people think its "other people" spreading the virus. Or not "being sensible." But if you have kids in school and go shopping or work then it's not a case of "being sensible" there's a genuine risk of spreading.

My kids are in school so we wont see most elderly relatives as they could be asymptomatic (local secondary school had the quick testing in 3 years and found a group of 9 completely asymptomatic cases...).

On the other side if noone has underlying conditions or is over 40/50 I can see that personal risk may be low.

We are having 1 person in, which we have weighed up, but otherwise will be meeting outdoors this year .

I dont think some people realise the virus will spread by lots of people who think they're "sensible" meeting up over Christmas. I think it will just be considered acceptable damage and life will be stricter in january. Where Im vulnerable we dont want to personally take that risk.

And yes bloodywhitecat so sorry abour your DP. I hope this can still be a lovely Christmas for you xx

You do know it’s not compulsory to see your family? If you are vulnerable then there’s your excuse.

I’m torn over Christmas. We are abroad and can’t travel. On the one hand I’m looking forward to Christmas without the usual stress and rushing around but it’s a terrible year for it. We have family members who we might never see again and others who need support after a horrible year. I think a lot of people have complicated situations and everyone is just trying to make the best of it.

Christmas is cancelled for my family as I live in the UK and they live in ireland. I am disappointed but focusing on my two DDs.

Unfortunately it's not cancelled for DHs family. My MIL has her kids on her doorstep, money coming out of her ears, is able to have her kids over for Christmas dinner, she has all she could want in life, and she is in a sulk and not speaking to us because DH doesnt want to dress up as Santa. My DD (who is 2) is scared of him and DH doesnt want to stress her out. God forbid my MIL didnt get her photo moment for Facebook 🙄

Sorry. Angry. Could do with Christmas being cancelled and just have the 4 of us at home.

Personally lockdown and social distancing have made me indifferent to most things but looking at it objectively I don't get why seeing people on those dates is OK but not the week before.

OP just say no.

I'm not comfortable with having my elderly (over 70) parents to stay for Christmas. They live too far away to visit in a day. I'm a teacher and feel it's too risky having been in a small classroom with 30 people all term.

If you won't enjoy it and don't want to do it, just be honest. I will miss my parents and it will be sad, but I see your point about enjoying a smaller, simpler Christmas. We will be just us 4 which we've never done before. Party food on Christmas eve, leisurely unwrapping and playing, duvets on the sofa if we fancy it, just pleasing ourselves.

@BefuddledPerson

I am very worried about seeing more deaths in January. The government really should have extended school holidays, both before and after, to limit the impact.

I agree

Haha people like you are cowards. Be honest with your family, "we arr going spend Christmas here this year, sorry mum"

I think January could be a nightmare and am worried as am vulnerable as are my 70+ parents. I am glad I can go and stay with them for a few days, my mum is on her knees for a variety of reasons and I'm lucky I am living a very low risk life at the moment. I'd struggle if I couldnt see them, I dont have the cosy nuclear family I wanted, it's just me and dp and to be honest Christmas is very painful being childless not by choice. I think for people who have a 'little family' they can do Christmas with of course it makes sense just do to that this year, but it's not as comfortable for other people and I also think it's ok to make other choices and risk assess your own situation without feeling judged by people who dont walk in your shoes.

So people who don’t want the hassle of Christmas want the Gvt to make it illegal for those who do instead of simply politely declining invitations.

@Susanwouldntlikeit

So people who don’t want the hassle of Christmas want the Gvt to make it illegal for those who do instead of simply politely declining invitations.

I personally would love the hassle of Christmas, my concern is the inevitable increased deaths caused by the Christmas mixing.

My dad is terminally ill, my siblings and I are all teachers and nurses, so we’re all having Christmas in our own houses. The last thing we want is for dad to end up spending his last days alone on a ventilator, if we stay away, hopefully my mum will get to be with him until the end. We’re all gutted, but it’s more important to us that he is protected.

My worry is that a lot of elderly relatives will become very ill in January....is that really worth a couple of days of festivities?

[quote Denthelp]@herecomesthsun ignore that. I’ve worked it out [/quote]
I've not - what is CEV?

CEV (clinically extremely vulnerable) is a term from PHE which lists health conditions which put you more at risk from COVID-19.

We normally spend Christmas and New Year in a holiday let by the sea, just the two us. Obviously we can’t go this year, I’m dreading the fallout when we tell everyone that actually we’re not joining them on Christmas Day because it’s not allowed (lots of different households) and we’re not taking the risk

I’m actually quite annoyed that we can’t spend it away on our own but we’re allowed to stay home and meet up with others

I'm with the OP. I have declined invitations from family (including PILs inviting themselves to my home for 3 nights). It's stupid and people are being really shortsighted, but we shouldn't be surprised. People generally are stupid and shortsighted

@madcatladyforever

Yes I'm very disappointed, the selfish people who travel all over the country to see everyone are going to cause hundreds of new deaths and a further lockdown in January that will destroy the small businesses still left. But so long as you enjoy christmas that's all that matters right? I'm traumatised this year after a watching so many people die and see how many families are devastated, I'm thinking of retiring from the NHS a couple of years early when this is all over to preserve my sanity. People are selfish arses and for the ost part I want nothing to do with them.

So sorry you had to witness all this

@bloodywhitecat

Unless there is a miracle this will be DP's last Christmas, he has a rare aggressive cancer and has months to live so we will be seeing family and we will exceed the bubble of three rule.

Sorry to hear that see as many as you can .... I feel for you x

@madcatladyforever

Yes I'm very disappointed, the selfish people who travel all over the country to see everyone are going to cause hundreds of new deaths and a further lockdown in January that will destroy the small businesses still left. But so long as you enjoy christmas that's all that matters right? I'm traumatised this year after a watching so many people die and see how many families are devastated, I'm thinking of retiring from the NHS a couple of years early when this is all over to preserve my sanity. People are selfish arses and for the ost part I want nothing to do with them.

Well said.

All the mixing will lead to more cases and worse and then those that stayed home with their households will be more at risk at school and work after from the actions of others.

Really disagree with the decision. So many will keep mixing before and after as well as will see it was ok at Christmas so why not any other days as well.

We can't do our planned travel to see my family (who I've only seen once since last Christmas) as that would be too many households and too crowded. But I am relieved to be able to at least see my in-laws indoors for a few days. Realistically were going to be stuck in tier 3 until march/april/2022/whenever (and would have been even without the Christmas relaxation) so a likely January lockdown makes zero difference to us in our circumstances. I'll be using this opportunity for human contact to bolster my mental health and try to get me through the next few months.