Exchanging presents over the border of tier 4

[RMarieClaire]

Imagine this will get a mixed response but here goes:

We just got put into tier 4. Devastated like everyone but understand the need. We had been isolating and took our daughter out of nursery to keep our family safe by cutting our contacts before driving down to see them from Wednesday. We're no longer going but we sent all DDs Christmas presents to their house. My parents want us to still come, and technically we could as a childcare bubble as both DH and I need to work when our nursery is closed next week. But we're not going to risk it so as a happy medium suggested we drive to a location and they chuck the presents in the boot of my car.

I see zero actual risk in this but still feel a bit weird about it. Would you do it?

If you've been isolating I don't see why you can't have Christmas together tbh, even if it's not "allowed".

If you don't feel comfortable with that though I would definitely do the present thing. Like you say, what is the risk?

If someone told you they were doing this, what would you say? I'm sure you would say "do it".

The childcare bubble is drop off not for socialising.

Just get them to courier the presents over to you rather than look for ways around the rules.

If you've been fully isolating and you need them for childcare anyway while you work then I don't see any additional risk in spending Christmas with them like you had planned. That's what I would do.

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss I don't see anywhere in the rules that say you can't go stay with someone for childcare: that's always been allowed since bubbles were introduced, hasn't it? This said, we're not going to do that. But couriering would cost literally hundreds of pounds, something we don't have and in fact we've already lost about £500 on wasted childcare costs and a catsitter we don't need.

And if you're not going to do that then definitely collect the presents!

@sotallsotall thank you - that was my parents' argument, but while we've reduced contact we have left the house for walks and I've been to the shop. We thought that would be enough - when we started we were still in tier 2, we'd no idea it was getting so bad, this has come as a shock!

I have experienced this today. We were never going to meet at Xmas with either set of parents as it wasn’t worth the risk (not been inside with any of them since March). But we were due to meet in a park to exchange gifts today. Anyway, I considered meeting last night half way but decided asking my 72yr old dad to drive in the rainy dark was ridiculous. So I looked at the map and found a supermarket literally on the border. (The road outside defined the tier 4/2) border. We met in the car park. I put the bag in his boot, sprayed it with detol and he’ll leave in there for a few days. Technically dad entered tier 4 by 10m, but there was no interaction with anyone so we decided it was a fair option. I don’t like the idea of people twisting the rules to suit themselves..... and now I have done it myself (ridiculously worried about it the whole time). It’s not justifiable, and now I have bent a rule, in the same way I have judged others for doing. But I am pleased I’ve given my parents some presents when they are going to be on their own, and really hope I haven’t added to the risk.