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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:
RosesAndHellebores · 15/12/2020 21:12

Cancelled last week. MIL is having her vaccination before coming down South to us.

veeeeh · 15/12/2020 21:15

I am sick of the drama around Christmas Day, this year and it has to be said, many other years also.

If you love your family you will try to see them and vice versa at a safe time, doesn't have to be Christmas Day which in fairness can be a difficult day for many.

Go see our family or Facetime them, everyone understands, there is no obligation really.

Should be banned. Would anyone miss it?,

bendmeoverbackwards · 15/12/2020 21:16

I’m very surprised at some of these replies. A long drawn out meal crowded round an indoor table with no ventilation is a good way for the virus to spread. Aren’t people worried about this?

EwDavid · 15/12/2020 21:16

We've just made the decision this evening to cancel my parents coming to us on Christmas Day. It's the most disappointing decision but the one we're most comfortable with. I'm an inpatient mental health nurse, DH is a community mental health nurse. A colleague died last week, two more are in ICU. It's terrifying. Regardless of what's allowed I'm not prepared to throw our hard work out of the window for the sake of one day, Christmas or not. It'll be strange but I'm so relieved (as well as totally gutted) to have cancelled.

Sewinginscotland · 15/12/2020 21:17

I was amazed when they announced the rules. I assumed it would be just me, DH and 2yo DS on Christmas. We are currently intending on travelling down to see my mum in England, I haven't seen her since March.

If they change the rules, we will change our plans. Christmas is just one day. 2021 will hopefully be a move towards normality. Why risk hundreds of lives just to see family on Christmas and put ourselves into lockdown in January?

I'm not one of the pearl clutching brigade, I have never washed my shopping or tattled on my neighbours but can see mixing so many households at Christmas is just asking for trouble.

Dee1975 · 15/12/2020 21:19

No because we didn’t make any. Just because you are ‘allowed to mix three households’ over Christmas does not mean it’s risk free!
I for one don’t want to be part of causing the third wave....

DrunkenKoala · 15/12/2020 21:19

No but then we had no plans to meet indoors. Weather permitting we’re still going to catch up with PIL at National Trust outdoors.

TeddyIsaHe · 15/12/2020 21:19

We’re not changing Xmas plans. My brother is at uni so has been tested twice before coming home, my sister works in the NHS so is tested twice a week, and Dd and I will be isolating for 10 days prior. We’re all going to my parents and cannot wait!

Littleposh · 15/12/2020 21:20

We weren't planning on being outside of our bubble anyway

MerinoFroggie · 15/12/2020 21:20

EwDavid - did your colleague die because of covid or other reasons?
Is your colleague in icu because of covid or other reasons?

I think many people would like to dress this virus up as a little mild cold when it's anything but that.

RedRiverShore · 15/12/2020 21:22

@bendmeoverbackwards

I’m very surprised at some of these replies. A long drawn out meal crowded round an indoor table with no ventilation is a good way for the virus to spread. Aren’t people worried about this?
You only catch it if someone has it in the first place, DH and I are retired so not out much now it's winter, DS who is visiting us WFH, we are probably more likely to catch it in the shops if we went there
Mintjulia · 15/12/2020 21:24

I decided early on that ds and I would stay at home. Ds may go to his dad's for a couple of days but only if ex will promise to stick to the rules.

Pemberleys · 15/12/2020 21:24

We didn't make any plans. No wider family are meeting up this year. The whole idea of a Christmas bubble is ridiculous and we'll all likely end up in full lockdown come January.

We live in a very low risk area and people here have been sticking to the rules to keep it that way. The nearest A&E is a helicopter ride away.

EnPoinsettia · 15/12/2020 21:25

Didn’t have plans anyway. Knew they were writing cheques when they didn’t know how much was in the bank.

breadwidow · 15/12/2020 21:25

@bendmeoverbackwards

I’m very surprised at some of these replies. A long drawn out meal crowded round an indoor table with no ventilation is a good way for the virus to spread. Aren’t people worried about this?
Me too

We cancelled plans for 2 day Xmas visit from my sister and family when announcement about London made yesterday, though gearing to cancel at weekend when Media reported scientists urging rethink of Xmas rules. None of us are vulnerable but we cannot isolate beforehand so could risk spreading it between two areas. I'm gutted, having seen my sister in ages. Kids gutted (desperate to see their cousins) but it's right thing to do.

Really surprised by number of people who aren't changing their plans. Thanks to all this a long lockdown with schools shut is now on the cards for the new year. Along with more deaths.

PrincessNutNuts · 15/12/2020 21:26

@bendmeoverbackwards

I’m very surprised at some of these replies. A long drawn out meal crowded round an indoor table with no ventilation is a good way for the virus to spread. Aren’t people worried about this?
As Thanksgiving proved in the US. (Not that we needed any.)
ekidmxcl · 15/12/2020 21:27

The government ought to issue some sort of warning that OK it’s legal but it very well might not be safe. Think about where you have been/what you have done etc before seeing elderly people. Personally I’m not cancelling any plans, it’s pretty likely neither of our elderlies that we’re seeing will be here next Christmas anyway. And there’s exemptions for helping elderly people anyway. I won’t be just paying FIL a social visit, I stock his food up and do stuff for him.

Thatwentbadly · 15/12/2020 21:27

No. I will be staying at home with my household.

ekidmxcl · 15/12/2020 21:28

And just to add that we aren’t going to be sitting at a table all together in a small room for a long time. We’ll be careful.

Plump82 · 15/12/2020 21:29

We've said we'll be happy to see each other regardless (Husband and his parents) but they're concerned they get caught travel through. They live in the east and we're west. Do you think they might restrict this type of travel or will it more likely be to and from England?

bendmeoverbackwards · 15/12/2020 21:30

Yes exactly @PrincessNutNuts I really hope the Government does the right thing and does a u-turn. There will still be people who break the rules but at least it should reduce mixing a bit.

The advice for Christmas is no singing, no board games and bring own cutlery. Doesn’t sound like much fun anyway.

U8myufo · 15/12/2020 21:30

Yes I think so. MIL wants to have a 'gathering' on boxing Day, and we would love to go as we love spending time there but there would be 3 families all with kids in different schools in 3 different North Wales counties. I just don't think it's sensible for us to go. She is on Anglesey which has low case rates, but I do feel we could do without catching or spreading Covid. It's not due to the potential u turn, I just am not sure it's worth it this year. We had always planned to do Christmas day at home and we wouldn't have stayed overnight but even so. It really is tough this year as it's been a shit year and we've barely seen anybody, but when all said and done it's not just about us. Everyone is different as to what feels right for them so I also respect those going ahead with their plans.

Scottishskifun · 15/12/2020 21:30

[quote Illy605]@backaftera2yearbreak Thing is, my 94 year old step gran has been unwell for the last year, moved into a care home. As horrible as it sounds, she’s not likely to see another Christmas so I really do have a reason to drive up. I’m only able to stay in Scotland until the 24th due to commitments with my partners mum. I was really hoping to be able to travel up on Tuesday. Then I could spend time with my mum, visit my gran (albeit through a window) But I don’t want to risk being pulled over... surely they can’t be pulling everyone over?! I’ve just driven 200 miles for work with hundreds of other people on the motorway 🤷🏻‍♀️[/quote]
The travel ban has exemptions including the following

travel to provide care, assistance, support to or respite for a vulnerable person

travel for gatherings related to funerals or for compassionate reasons which relate to the end of a person’s life. This includes gatherings related to the scattering of ashes

Info here www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-travel-and-transport/#exceptions

We are in the same boat with my husband grandad but doing the reverse Scotland to England.

I think people know in themselves if they are a risk to vulnerable people. We both work from home, haven't been to a supermarket or shop since March, kept my son out of nursery a week early, don't go to cafes or meet others and will have tests just to be 100% sure.

ZowieCavie · 15/12/2020 21:32

Have ordered contingency Christmas dinner small frozen Turkey crown, etc. Don’t want to change Christmas plans but prepared for small Christmas at home if needs be

Turtleshelly · 15/12/2020 21:33

We always planned to spend it just as a family (household). We’ll chat to family online and make up for it next year. It’s still Christmas. We’ll still celebrate it. It’s just one year. That said if either of our parents were single or lonely we’d have them round. I think it’s important to balance being careful with mental health in some situations.