Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Will you be cancelling your Christmas plans?

402 replies

Illy605 · 15/12/2020 19:46

With the impending news that the govt may do a U-turn on the relaxation of the rules over Christmas, will you be cancelling whatever you may have had planned with family and friends?!

I only ask as I’ve seen so many people posting on social media that there’s no chance they are cancelling now, this close to Christmas.

I must be in close contact with hundreds of people everyday due to my job, I travel from region to region- tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3. It just seems unreasonable that I might not be allowed to spend a day with a couple family members who are also out and about for work everyday.

OP posts:
Unsure33 · 16/12/2020 20:07

@ThistleTits

Are the people of Scotland not capable of protecting themselves then?
Can they not use their own common sense ? Why do they need their leader to tell them exactly what to do ?

EternalOptimist7 · 16/12/2020 20:09

Christmas Day is only 5 of us anyway - me, DH, DD, DM & DF. Will really miss seeing DB & family as they are in a tier 3 area 😢

TheWichitaWineOne · 16/12/2020 20:09

A lot of people seem to know a lot of 'idiots'

I don't irl. Everyone I know - those whose plans I'm aware of - is being super-cautious and considerate.

I'm basing 'idiots' on the posts I've read here, with people boasting about their plans for four households to party for three days/drive to Scotland to share a house with God know how many people, and so on.

That's why on balance, I believe most people are being sensible.

Sandfairy69 · 16/12/2020 20:11

Nc135

No law is stopping you. See them if you like. Just weigh up the risks. I couldn’t live with myself if I have my parents Covid because they are at risk. If yours aren’t and you can live with any consequences then do it. Stop looking to anyone else to make your decision.
How was I looking for anyone’s input? Decision was made, I am answering like everyone else on this forum.

Nc135 · 16/12/2020 20:11

@ThistleTits the FM has only ONE thing on her mind. And that is to become the leader of an independent Scotland. She doesn’t give a flying f about you or your relatives. The way she has behaved during this whole crisis is the kind of person I certainly wouldn’t want on my team because I would know they have their own selfish agenda. Don’t kid yourself she is thinking of you and yours!

Jenasaurus · 16/12/2020 20:18

Yes, cancelled all our plans now and I feel awful, my eldest DS has told me I have taken the sparkle out of Christmas for not visiting him. My DD aggrees we should no longer all meet up as one of my sons girlfriends is visiting her DM, DGM and DB in a tier 3 area on Christmas Morning, we were visiting in the evening but it would make 5 households anyway which is higher than the original plan. I feel guilty as I am being made to feel like the gringe but having 2 local people that died of the virus, one a close friend and neighbour of my DDs BF. aged 51, sadly died on his birthday and the other a friend of my DD who was 21. I just think for the sake of one day isnt it better to wait for the vaccine. I am the one at risk in the family, not that old, I am nearly 56 but I have put on a lot of weight over the year, and my BMI isnt good so am anxious. My middle DS understand, although dissapointed we cant meet up, he said he was hoping for full lockdown (he works for an ambulance Trust, like I do and sees the increasing strain first hand that this virus is bringing) I still feel mean, my eldest has left the family group chat and put the phone down on me, (he is 31!) but it takes me back to when he was 3.

treening · 16/12/2020 20:18

it's ludicrous to think that COVID cases won't increase significantly as a result of people being selfish, arrogant arseholes, though.

Yes, that's definitely what it is. No nuance or anything. 🙄

Covidnomore · 16/12/2020 20:19

Thistle genuine question here.

Why have my family suffered months of restrictions? Tier 3 for so long before she finally moved them up to Tier 4 (too late) and still their rate is considerably higher than me, in Tier 2 England.

My life has been a lot more 'normal' than there's.

Its almost as if her restrictions may drive people indoors.........

tierthreetwoone · 16/12/2020 20:21

Nope, still going ahead with what we've had planned since February

Axlcat · 16/12/2020 20:22

Mum coming on a 2.5 hour train ride to stay with us. We both work from home. The main risk is the journey and I am worried. She’s desperate to see us though having not seen us for 11 months and I’m worried about her mental health. So hard to know what to do.

Bourbonbiccy · 16/12/2020 20:22

Our plans will remain the same as we based them on what we deemed safe, not what a negligent, dangerous failure of a government deemed safe.

SallyCinnamonYoureMyWorld · 16/12/2020 20:27

@Jenasaurus, he is being a prat. I'm sure he is a lovely man and your DS and all, but on this occasion, he is acting very immaturely.

Projecting somewhat, as I have a younger relative who is meant to come to us to sleepover and I am really thinking of telling them not to come, due to the whole, try not to travel far and sleepover message. I have a feeling they might respond like your DS!

TheWichitaWineOne · 16/12/2020 20:33

Yes, that's definitely what it is. No nuance or anything

If you stop rolling your eyes for a second, you might be able to read my comment above the line you quoted:

Within that will be a thousand permeations of how people approach it and how the various scenarios look from the outside

There's your nuance.

linsey2581 · 16/12/2020 20:34

Yes we have. We live in Scotland. Me and hubby with 2 teens were supposed to go to my nana and grandpa for Christmas dinner so they wouldn’t be on their own as my mum and dad live in a different level area and can’t travel and my auntie doesn’t drive so can’t come up plus we only live 2 streets away. However my gran called to ask if it would be ok if we didn’t come as I have been working on a covid ward and although she knows I would never put her at risk she just doesn’t want to change it. My poor nana was about in tears on the phone saying she was sorry and she hoped I wasn’t angry with her. I just wanted to go round and give her a big hug. She says they will be fine and I will call her on Christmas Day to make sure their ok, I am a bit sad about it but definitely not angry at her. I’m angry at those who didn’t follow the rules in the first place and that’s why we are still in this mess 😭😡

HappyWinter · 16/12/2020 20:40

@Duemarch2021

Nope.... me and my partner will be going to my mum and dads no matter what they say. We are very careful and follow all rules usually in regards to virus, use gel and wash hands constantly, stay 2 metres apart.. hardly go anywhere.. same for my parents... we will take every precaution to keep them as safe as poss on the day and no kissing or hugging... but it will break their hearts if we say were not going now
Make sure you have good ventilation too by opening the window (I know, it is winter...one of the Independent Sage tips was to have the heating on more as it is only for one day). That was one of the main tips for a safer gathering as the virus is airborne and spreads more indoors.

@Duemarch2021 Good luck with your little one too.

Ellapaella · 16/12/2020 20:50

We had never planned to spend Christmas with my parents anyway. My Dad has a kidney condition and wouldn't do well with Covid. Being 'allowed' to spend Christmas together isn't going to change that fact.
My husband and I both work front line NHS and are working with Covid patients- no way would I be going home and inviting my vulnerable parents over to stay and they wouldn't want to come anyway. We are so close to having a vaccine we are all happy to wait.
It will be a different Christmas but the whole year has been extraordinary and I live in the North East so we are well used to these restrictions now, Christmas isn't going to change anything.
It'll be a family zoom chat and quiz on the day.

Retired65 · 16/12/2020 20:55

My daughter and partner were planning to come to us for Christmas but are now thinking of not coming. They will make a decision on Friday and let me know. I haven't seen my daughter, other than on video calls, since August 2019. They have been living in Canada and have only just got back. I have ordered their Christmas presents to come to me and I have ordered a Gousto recipe box for 4 plus I have a real Christmas tree coming on Monday. They live in the south and I am in the North.

MondeoFan · 16/12/2020 20:59

Well yes, I normally visit my parents on Xmas day but not for dinner just fir present opening really as my parents find it too much with my dB there and my 2 dc.
Been told no one is allowed to go there this year as they are worried about Covid. I feel it suits them as they don't really want us there anyway. So it's a perfect excuse for them. It would seem my parents prefer to have Xmas on their own.

dietingtomorrow · 16/12/2020 21:01

We took the decision not to invite family this Christmas as there are four households of us including children in several different schools with "bubbles" bursting left, right and centre. Hoping things will be better at Easter and looking forward to our usual Easter Egg Hunt! I'm thinking that luckily took the right decision, as we don't need to change anything now. Best wishes to everyone who is having to spend Christmas alone. We'll be thinking of youFlowers

Jenasaurus · 16/12/2020 21:03

[quote SallyCinnamonYoureMyWorld]@Jenasaurus, he is being a prat. I'm sure he is a lovely man and your DS and all, but on this occasion, he is acting very immaturely.

Projecting somewhat, as I have a younger relative who is meant to come to us to sleepover and I am really thinking of telling them not to come, due to the whole, try not to travel far and sleepover message. I have a feeling they might respond like your DS![/quote]
Its hard isnt it. I hav just spoken to my other DS and he has suggested inviting his DB to him so he has seen some of his family without putting me at risk, TBF I would happily spend it alone and let the younger members of the family meet up. The thing is they feel I would be lonely on my own, which although it would be nice to see them, I do understand this is an exceptional year and with the vaccine in sight, why take the risk for what is essentially one day (we are not religious and its basically spending time, eating, drinking, opening presents and playing games...making me miss it now thinking about it :( )

earnshaw47 · 16/12/2020 21:11

boris cant win. if he said to stay in and dont see anyone over christmas you would get folks complaining about that, he cant win. i reckon we just use our common sense and think for ourselves a bit, we know the facts so we should act accordingly, me and my husband will be at home on our own, we will be exchanging presents with daughters and sons in law and grandchilden maybe in the park weather permitting or outside our house, we reckon that is the sensible and selfless thing to do

Pootle40 · 16/12/2020 21:18

Not changing a thing.

user1472151176 · 16/12/2020 21:19

We're not seeing any family at Christmas. Especially with the vaccine being rolled out we thought it would be safer to wait. I haven't seen any family for nearly a year!

Chaotic45 · 16/12/2020 21:22

@Retired65 that's so sad I'm so sorry that your lovely plans may not go ahead. I can understand their POV though. It's all so very difficult. Hopefully now they are back you will get a chance to see them fairly soon, maybe outside for a walk in the springDaffodil

AxMan76 · 16/12/2020 21:27

[quote Unsure33]@ThistleTits

Are the people of Scotland not capable of protecting themselves then?
Can they not use their own common sense ? Why do they need their leader to tell them exactly what to do ?[/quote]
All stems from Braveheart I think

Swipe left for the next trending thread