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Original poster

Opinions on the potential of Christmas being cancelled?

110 replies

Blak · 15/12/2020 10:34

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.

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DontStopThinkingAboutTomorrow · 15/12/2020 13:34

They won't cancel it.
People have to make their own decisions based on their own risk assessment.

Doesn't mean it's wise to traipse around multiple family members on multiple days though (which a lot of people are planning by the sounds of it IRL)

Freshprincess · 15/12/2020 13:34

Whilst I think canceling is the right thing to do, I’m a huge hypocrite because I’m so desperate to spend the day with my parents.

I’m planning on getting tested beforehand just to be on the safe side.
I know it’s totally illogical but it feels really unfair that I’ve stuck to the rules since March so I should get Christmas off.

Almostslimjim · 15/12/2020 13:39

@Kandymuse70

I'm amazed that some people have chosen to not see their own family for nearly a year, those who live in the same country. Not even a walk ? Doorstep chat ? That's truly shocking.

We live 2- 3 hours drive away from family in good traffic. Door stop visits aren't really possible, especially not with 2 pre-schoolers. Stopping for the toilet, stopping to refuel etc. We are in a tier 3 area. There was a period of about 3 weeks where people were allowed in the back garden but as soon as it was allowed (for us) it was taken away again. So no, I haven't seen family in 8 months.

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User158340 · 15/12/2020 13:40

@Dutypaid

Cancel Christmas? The dramatic wording from the media. If you mean not mixing households over the Christmas period, then I think that the government would be right to stop the mixing based on the overall increase in transmissions. Personally, I just don't think a family dinner is worth people getting sick or dying for.

But the government won't do it because they don't want the 'Christmas cancelled' headliens.

IntermittentParps · 15/12/2020 13:41

I'm amazed that some people have chosen to not see their own family for nearly a year, those who live in the same country.
For me it's logistics. Realistically and if it's to be at all a comfortable trip, I have to stay overnight to see either parent. They're high-risk, so I can't stay with either of them. I wouldn't stay with any relatives nearby either as I just don't think mixing households is worth the risk. One parent lives somewhere with minimal public transport and I can't drive, so couldn't really get around to see them anyway.

LearnedResponse · 15/12/2020 13:46

We’re going to drive down to stay with DF if it’s legal, and have been minimising all risks since the 4th (no work or schooling outside the home, no public transport or meals out). We might also try and get private Covid tests in advance.

However we have made our plans to be cancellable: we’re taking the food down so DF won’t be left with unmanageable quantities if we have to cancel.

joystir59 · 15/12/2020 14:11

My plans will not change. Everyone I'm seeing are the people I've seen all year. I haven't caught it from any of them before so feel reasonably safe.

Gremlinpoop · 15/12/2020 14:17

I hope they stop this silly mixing for 5 days idea.
You can still do Christmas but it's just you stay at home and do the relatives by zoom.
You still have a tree, nice food etc .
I honestly don't know what they were thinking with relaxing the rules.
Obviously some will break the rules anyway but for the majority it makes it safer and takes off the pressure.

Figgygal · 15/12/2020 14:22

@Kandymuse70

I'm amazed that some people have chosen to not see their own family for nearly a year, those who live in the same country. Not even a walk ? Doorstep chat ? That's truly shocking.

My family are a ten hour drive with 2 kids (one who gets car sick) or requiring a flight (number of which been booked then cancelled) which I’m now not happy with at moment, family could come to us they all also don’t want to risk the exposure from travelling

It’s not that shocking that not everyone has family at end of road

Bluejayway91 · 15/12/2020 14:35

To be honest, a few of my friends have had their religious holidays cancelled due to Covid. Hardly fair if Christmas is allowed to continue as normal. Covid won't be any less infectious during the relaxation.

It sucks for people who had Christmas plans and wanted to see family (I have a newborn and very desperate for my grandad who's 150 miles away to meet him), but common sense needs to prevail here.

For most of us, there will be another Christmas.

IntermittentParps · 15/12/2020 15:48

To be honest, a few of my friends have had their religious holidays cancelled due to Covid. Hardly fair if Christmas is allowed to continue as normal.

It is pretty offensive, isn't it. Ramadan was right in the middle of lockdown. Divali was derailed by covid restrictions. At least one other Muslim festival was affected and at least one Sikh one (sorry, I'm hazy on the details). Christmas is being massively privileged over anything else.

MistletoeandGin · 15/12/2020 15:52

Easter was cancelled too.

SmileyClare · 15/12/2020 16:09

I see your point. However, I'm not sure many regard Christmas as a religious holiday. It's a recognised national holiday.

Just over 50% of the UK population is Christian or some form of, 40% non religious, 10% atheist, 6% Sikhism, Hinduism, Judaism, buddhism or other.
Rightly or wrongly the logistics of relaxing restrictions for Diwali for example would be for Hindus (1.3% of population) and Sikhs (0.7% of the population).

SnowySheep · 15/12/2020 16:12

I dont think there will be a U turn but I think in some areas, people are cancelling their plans and deciding it's not worth the risk.

IntermittentParps · 15/12/2020 16:16

Sure, stats are stats. It's optics I'm thinking of really. And where I live there are a lot of Muslims/Jews/Hindus/Sikhs etc, so I'm very aware of it.

MeowMeowLikeACow · 15/12/2020 16:21

I think if they do cancel it they risk losing a lot of goodwill and compliance levels in January would be lower, especially when lots of people will have made plans, ordered food etc.

WishingHopingThinkingPraying · 15/12/2020 16:21

Mixing should be cancelled. Christmas is not cancelled either way.

I'm amazed at all the people who are going ahead full blast. Many seeing one side if the family one day, and the other dude the next. Essentially 6 or more families mixing away without any restraint.

Sorry but people are idiots. And some people will die. We don't actually need the government to tell us that.

justanotherneighinparadise · 15/12/2020 16:25

We are only seeing one family member on Boxing Day. So for us it’s not the big a deal.

MummaBear4321 · 15/12/2020 16:43

I just told DH if the rules of changed I am not prepared to have his parents over. We dont see my family as I am foreign and they live in my home country.

He said 'so i can work but not see my family. Well. You have said your piece' he then hung up on me.

SmileyClare · 15/12/2020 16:58

I think a lot of people are secretly relieved that "restrictions" mean they can't have parent in laws over this year MummaBear
Sorry you can't see your own family, that must be tough.

TicTacTwo · 15/12/2020 17:01

I think there would have been more compliance if gatherings were cancelled in the first place than the current situation of allowing it then cancelling the week before.

blue25 · 15/12/2020 17:03

I will be very happy about it. I’m sure we can all survive a quiet Christmas for one year to help save people’s lives!

Bonkerz · 15/12/2020 17:18

My daughter will still be travelling to me on Christmas Eve. She works away and if she doesn't come will be alone age 18 on Christmas Day. The only other person coming is my exh but as a single parent We are excluded from the bubble rule for that.

User158340 · 15/12/2020 18:42

@blue25

I will be very happy about it. I’m sure we can all survive a quiet Christmas for one year to help save people’s lives!

Generally, yes, but it's a tough one for families.

I'd happily just stick with the household bubble because of the virus, but it's important to my Nan that we see her on Christmas Day. She's in her 90s (due to get the vaccine this week for the first dose) and it's important to her that she spends it with her children and grandchildren as it might be her last one. She's said the same in recent Christmases.

Most of us haven't seen her since March as she's shielding with my Mum.

MarahCarey · 15/12/2020 18:44

Surprised you're seeing your 90 year old Nan before she's had the vaccine?! surely you can postpone for a fortnight till she's safe?

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