Opinions on the potential of Christmas being cancelled?

[Blak]

Hi everyone. With what’s being said in the news etc about the government being wrong about relaxing rules over Christmas I was just wondering how everyone is feeling about it if it does get cancelled. I’m getting very anxious as I was looking forward to spending Christmas with my family after the year we have had. Also my partners parents live in a different part of the country and we haven’t seen in months so will be upsetting not to see them after Christmas. My baby is 6 months old and I want to enjoy my first Christmas with her. They say that people can have a Christmas next year but both me and my partner will be working next year so we won’t be able too. All I want to know is how is everyone feeling about it and how what will people be doing for Christmas if things change.

I will be happy about tbh although i think it's very late in the game as people have made plans, ordered their turkeys and trees etc.

But so many people i know are taking the piss with well more than 3 households or three households for lunch and then a different set of three households for dinner. i think numbers will be spiking so much in January it'll be insane

Unfortunately although it'll be a shame for so many people, I honestly think it's the right thing to do. January will be awful sending kids back to school having spent all Christmas mixing.

The rule relaxation period starts on 23rd, right? That’s only 8 days away, if they’re going to change their mind I hope they do it sooner rather than later!

Really torn, I think it probably should be cancelled, but I'm desperate to see my dad and brother (the latter outdoors at a distance).

So tired of this year, and can't bear the thought of more of the same all through the rest of winter.

@triceratops12

Unfortunately although it'll be a shame for so many people, I honestly think it's the right thing to do. January will be awful sending kids back to school having spent all Christmas mixing.

Whether they change their minds or not, it will still be awful in January as plenty of families and children will mix regardless. it's almost guarenteed, because despite the current rules it's happening now. Sleepovers, visiting family and sending children into school despite symptoms or waiting for the results of tests are common occurences in many schools up and down the country.

I'm afraid I think it should be cancelled.

We're just going to make a bad situation a whole lot worse for longer.

I'll be continuing with my plans regardless of what our overlords say.

I honestly think it's the right thing to do

I've read this a lot on here with regards to "cancelling Christmas". Are people that think this cancelling their own gatherings regardless of what the government proposes?

I would be relieved if it was cancelled tbh.

DH’s parents want to visit and ordinarily we’d love to see them, BUT I am very nervous about the chance of the catching it from DC who are in school this week and have various christmas activities next week. We are in tier 3 so plenty of cases around and plenty are symptomless so there’s no way to avoid a risk really.

I don’t want to have to cancel everything and isolate the DC to reduce the risk to GPs, but I also don’t feel I can say no to the GPs as it’s their choice.

If the choice was taken out of our hands it would be a lot easier.

Sadly, because I know many of us feel the great need to see loved ones for Christmas, it was the wrong thing to do in the first place. Like turkeys voting for Christmas. But will Boris and co go back on it, risking cries of another U-turn and a further drop in popularity/future votes in some quarters? Despite the risk to schools and of a third wave, I doubt it. He wanted to be Lady Bountiful, 'giving' us all Christmas. Unfortunately all he is giving us is the likelihood of increased cases and fatalities. Not much of a Christmas present.

It is a shame because plenty of us are capable and determined to proceed with extreme care and caution, but far too many will be throwing caution to the wind, especially after a few sherries (or beers).

SmileyClare my difficulty with cancelling our own gathering is that it’s a bit patronising to DH’s parents if we say “you’ve said you’re ok with the risk but we are going to cancel to protect you”.

Also because even if we cancel, they are still going to see DH’s brother and family, plus go to various social events in their area (they are in tier 2) so I kind of feel it would be pointless for us to cancel unless everything is cancelled.

The government won't cancel.

I'd be happy not to see anyone. I'd quite like a break from having to do what other people expect. My parents want to come round, they haven't been coming since the new lockdown. It's very difficult to say no, I'm in the FOG it seems. I need to be more assertive, but they will bring presents for the DC. They might even interact with them if I push it as me and DH would be sorting the food.

I have said no to some other family things and stopped doing presents for them due to money. Seems they've stopped talking to me all together now, which shows they aren't really worth it.

If people want it to be cancelled, there's nothing whatsoever stopping you cancelling your plans. You don't HAVE to see people at Christmas. If you don't believe it's safe, don't do it.
For those of us who live in areas of low incidence, who are effectively isolating between now and Christmas, there is no reason to cancel visiting my parents, who are also isolating and have been pretty much housebound since March.

People who are going to mix irresponsibly are going to do it regardless of the rules. I just don't understand the mass calls to 'cancel Christmas' - if you don't want to mix, then don't mix, but let those of us who can and want to safely mix.

I feel quite torn about it; I decided not to see my mum to reduce risks to her but am planning on seeing my sister and was really excited about it.

Oh and I'm sure my MIL will show up uninvited too 😐 I did see her last Christmas and we have always said we alternate, but that won't stop her.

I had great big family Christmas' as kids, but as a child you don't see the politics and understand the dynamics. As the family has grown older and had their own children , I've realised my family are total selfish c@unts sorry.

I honestly don’t think they’ll cancel. And even if they do people are going to ignore it.

People think it’s their absolute right to a family Xmas, so I think we’re in for a horrendous January whatever happens.

Exactly what @ReviewingTheSituation said.

I don’t know why so many are so desperate to constantly be told what to do by the government. Apply some judgement to the situation, and do what you feel comfortable with. There is no way Boris is going to let himself be the prime minister who cancelled Christmas.

Fair enough minipie I can see it would be easier for family relationships if the decision was Out of your hands.

I agree with pps, the 3 household rule will go ahead. If you think about all the students heading home- would they have to go back to their student digs? ..all the costly travel tickets booked (some trainlines are completely sold out for the 5 day period)) all the plans and food bought. It's too short notice to U turn I think.

I'll be seeing my dad and brother regardless. We are all Adults and know and accept any risks.

They won’t cancel it but they will then blame people for “having Christmas” and the inevitable fall out we will see from it

Haven’t seen my family since last Christmas, they live on other side of country flights been cancelled in summer and now for Christmas.

If they hadn’t been wouldn’t have taken them anyway It’s just not worth it regardless of how I’d like to see them.

A friend of mine works in a hospital whole wards are filled with covid patients many die every day - I don’t want this at my door or for any of my families

Is it really worth it op?

@Ellieboolou33

I'll be seeing my dad and brother regardless. We are all Adults and know and accept any risks.

What about the risk you increase for others?

We've changed our plans just from reading what the scientists say. Legal doesn't necessarily mean advisable. We're going to get together with family next year.

You can’t ‘cancel Christmas’, the 25th December will happen regardless and we will be celebrating it.
Having said that, we are only seeing my mum who we see most days anyway as she lives alone and is our support bubble, so the ‘rules’ make no difference to us.
In laws live abroad and we haven’t seen them since last December, I imagine it’ll be the summer before we get to see them again.

If the government say no Christmas my parents wouldn't come. If I say no Christmas I look mean. So either way, us going somewhere or people coming to us if I say no I'm the grinch. That's the issue for most people.

@dingledongmerrilymysky

If the government say no Christmas my parents wouldn't come. If I say no Christmas I look mean. So either way, us going somewhere or people coming to us if I say no I'm the grinch. That's the issue for most people.

Well sometimes we just have to make decisions that make us unpopular. That’s life.