* Step into Christmas * & 2020 - It's the 2020 Christmas Chatter Thread

Gettingtherequickly

Oh my word, I have finally had time to catch up, all the while thinking that Free had been quiet, then she pops up, bold as brass! Good to see everyone back and hello to the newbies.

Have survived lock down safely, was on the one hand very lucky, as I was going into the office everyday, so good for my sanity not being stuck home alone for the duration, on the other, we had our server hacked over Easter (by the Russians, what they thought they would achieve from a small construction company!) so I had 6 torrid weeks trying to re-enter all of the data for the previous 18 mths, as we discovered that our external IT company had not been backing up the server. I was doing a lot of talking to myself!!!

Anyway, all sorted so I can deal with real life. Bought a jacket for my nephew in Matalan the other day, reduced to £14, very smart/casual. Not sure what to do about things, as I go home to Ireland for Christmas, but who knows how things are going to pan out. Was thinking about making up Avon hampers for my nieces, that would serve 2 purposes, help a friend in her business but then, if everything goes pearshaped for Christmas, there will be nothing that will go off, so I could be ready for next year! Decisions, decisions!

I am desperate to go home to see my mum, but they have 14 days self isolation for those from UK, also want to see my aunt, her husband died a few weeks ago and they were like our second parents, so it was very difficult not being able to go home for the funeral. However, it was streamed live on Facebook and was hilarious!  His idea of a phone was a method of making and receiving calls so would have been laughing his socks off at us in different houses using different formats, texting to ask if we managed to connect and the panic we were in at how late we were. His funeral was at 2pm, we all eventually connected 15 mins late, only to discover that we had not been able to connect because he was late for his own funeral!!!!!!!!!!  Because so few people were allowed to go, the undertaker decided to take him for a final spin around the village, so all of the neighbours got to say goodbye, my mum said it was so lovely, it made such a difficult day very special.

Skibunny40

Love your funeral story Gettingtherequickly - i'm a great believer in finding the humour in difficult situations (when appropriate). Was just reading about the funeral of the Scottish comedian and actor Johnnie Beattie recently - the family arranged for the curtain to be drawn back a second time round the casket to give him his final "curtain call" and he got a standing ovation from those in attendance!

[Deleted User]

By the look of it it's just going to be the two of us here on Christmas day, the first time in 44 years we've not had family or gone to family for the day so I'm wondering what I can do to make it a different kind of special and not feel like lost sheep wandering round looking for the kids. We'll obviously face time both families and be able to watch the grandchildren open presents and we'll definitely walk no matter what the weather but I have no ideas for food for two that will be special and would welcome some input about not feeling lonely if anyone has any xxx.

Skibunny40

Boazu - what about splashing out on "fancy" food that would be too expensive . difficult for a Christmas with lots of people for the meal? Perhaps different types of seafood, champagne rather than prosecco etc or something fiddly like a cheese or chocolate fondue ? You could split your meal throughout the day rather than sitting down for 3 courses straight after one another. Stay in PJ's all day / get all dressed up in black tie outfits ( whichever you'd enjoy!) or would you have any desire to go to a restaurant rather than staying at home?

[Deleted User]

A fondue or raclette might be fun and both would make us sit down at the table rather than have the meal on trays so I could do a pretty decorated table and it would take some time to eat either of them so could be fun.  We both like smoked salmon so could have that either as a starter or with scrambled egg for breakfast and I could buy in a really fancy dessert rather than make a home made pudding and invest in really nice coffee too, we both like good coffee.  I'd love a restaurant but we're still shielding and it would have very much to depend on the state of covid at the end of December so I'd be loath to book anything in case we didn't make it. What I'm really thinking is that I'll miss the family and be a wet blanket for the whole day so I need to pull my socks up now and get things organised and ready, thanks Skibunny40, good ideas and very welcome.

Peppapig

BOAZU could you do stockings for each other and open pressies at intervals during the day? Definitely treat yourself to your favourite foods. Are you sure it’s just going to be the two of you - December is still a long way away and things can change a lot in that time? If it is, then you’re doing the best thing in confronting it head on and finding ways to enjoy it, different doesn’t have to be bad. I’m sure there will be lots of suggestions for you on here.

[Deleted User]

Thank you Peppapig we don't do presents for each other but I know the family will so we'll have a few to open from under the tree so we won't be without presents on Christmas Day.  I know we've been spoiled by the girls having us to them or coming to us but that was coming to an end because one has her first baby at the age of 41 and the younger one now has 3 little boys between 1 and 6 years old so they will be staying at home and having their inlaws to stay, we knew this as it's their turn.  What's changed is covid and it's not an option for us to mix as we're both in the over 70s at risk group so we couldn't have them here safely or visit them at their homes.  It's taking a bit of the joy away but I'd like to make it as nice a day for us as we can achieve and find ways of being happy rather than sad because the grandchildren are missing.  Long way until Christmas and I'm sure we'll work out what to do and be fine on the day xxx.

freespirit66

Morning everyone, well I had a spectacular day in a&e yesterday. My first day alone as both kids had gone into the office, was putting washing into the machine, next thing I was halfway across the kitchen on the floor with blood pouring out of my head. I managed to get myself up and get my phone. Absolutely panicked called the kids, they came rushing home, whisked me to a&e, I ended up losing a LOT of blood as I had burst a blood vessel and it was still spurting out 4hrs later. In the end to stop it quickly they stapled most of it (without local anaesthetic) 🤮 and stitched the rest. 14 staples and 10 stitches. Oh and I’ve broken my elbow! I don’t do anything by half’s. So a few days on the couch doing nothing is the orders from the nurse. They were absolutely brilliant with my anxiety, bless them. 

MANDCO I didn’t realise there were so many who felt the same about things not being in stock. Glad you got to see the GC it’s been horrible not seeing or cuddling them. Although it was great to use video calling. That’s great that Taz is so much happier being at home rather than school, and I bet your relieved rather than worried about not knowing how he is at school. Thumper is only on day 5 and is struggling without school lol

GETTINGTHEREQUICKLY haha my autospell still comes up with your name! Oh gawd that’s not good about being hacked how ridiculous! It’s a blooming scary world! I hope you get to Ireland to see your mum for Christmas. Sorry to hear about your uncle, it’s so sad that people haven’t been able to say their last goodbyes, I didn’t realise you could livestream the services. 

BOAZU Every other year it’s just us 3 adults at first I didn’t understand what it would be like, I thought it could be a bit flat. But it’s just different, we all do just what we want to do, read, watch films, play games, we eat extra special foods and just enjoy the day

C_J

We’ll be in the same position as you this Christmas, boazu. I know you don’t do presents for you and HWK but perhaps you could tweak that rule this year and maybe do a little stocking for each other with ‘alternative’ type gifts in - ones which don’t involve going out shopping. Perhaps something home made (painting a stone which you found on one of your walks, to use as a paperweight etc etc), or something sentimental/special to the two of you (go through an old photo album, and find one picture to frame? Or get your daughters to email over pics of the grandchildren?). It could be fun putting those little gifts together over the next few months, and it would be inexpensive yet meaningful. 

Mister C J isn’t very fond of shopping, but I’d derive just as much joy if not more from watching him open little stocking gifts even if I didn’t have any to open from him in return, but I think even he would be up for a scavenger-challenge of finding alternative stocking fillers!

We’re planning to Zoom call everyone in the morning, have a really lovely lunch with a nice glass of wine, then play some board games in front of a roaring fire in the afternoon, after the Queen’s speech, with a nice cheeseboard to graze.

[Deleted User]

That sounds wonderfully civilised CJ and I love the idea of home made little surprises in a stocking, it's what I need to get me out of the doldrums I seem to be in at the moment. I may collude with the daughters to get a few little things ordered so he doesn't see what's planned thanks love, much appreciated.