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

Spendless

DH informs me that DS girlfriend, ome of the housemates who is coming to us for Christmas has grown up in a household where Christmas was low-key as her Dad who is very religious, dislikes the commerciaism. And as DD put it when telling the story to her boyfriend..and in our house the dog gets a stocking! DH has also ordered swarvoski crackers, I have butter pats in the shape of a santa and a snowman and DD has already requested her brother fetches home cards against humanity so we can play a game on Christmas Day, eeekk -lol. Thought I'd confused her when I started questioning which starter she'd like for her Christmas dinner. Oh well, nothing I can do, she'll either love a different Christmas or she'll hate it and stay away in future. They are being collected Christmas Eve afternoon. I know I can take them from the 23rd, but I'd rather be able to do last minute prep before I have a houseful. Thankfully DH is now off, he got extra hols this year due to a promotion and of course we've not been anywhere, so he decided to use them for a Christmas break. It's the first time in years I've not worked Christmas either. 

StokieBecks

As students they were allowed to split their household bubble and go back to their normal residency and instantly become part of that household bubble - surely she chose to come you and not her own parents? Maybe she fancies a change    am sure it will be fine. Do your christmas the way you always do and if she doesn't enjoy it that's her loss. It sounds like a great time in your house.

We have done most of the doorstep drop offs with gifts. Bit rubbish standing in a driveway for a two minute chat and gift exchange but we all understand why we are doing it.

My anxiety is high again at the moment and I wake up so early and can't settle back off as feel uneasy. Got myself all upset yesterday and had a massive cry. 







 

Spendless

StokieBecks said:

As students they were allowed to split their household bubble and go back to their normal residency and instantly become part of that household bubble - surely she chose to come you and not her own parents? Maybe she fancies a change    am sure it will be fine. Do your christmas the way you always do and if she doesn't enjoy it that's her loss. It sounds like a great time in your house.

We have done most of the doorstep drop offs with gifts. Bit rubbish standing in a driveway for a two minute chat and gift exchange but we all understand why we are doing it.

My anxiety is high again at the moment and I wake up so early and can't settle back off as feel uneasy. Got myself all upset yesterday and had a massive cry. 







 

Not exactly. She has a parent who is undergoing treatment for Cancer. In order to go home she had to isolate for so long before returning, pretty much impossible since she lives in student digs and they share facilities, then even if this could be acheived on returning to her parents, she wouldn't be able to go out at all, not even to the local shops due to risking bringing back infection to her parents house and the parent under-going treatment. DS understandably refused to leave her and return here, which is why they're all still there as I only have room to put them up for a few nights and the 3rd housemate is estranged from his small family and spent last Christmas alone in student accommdation, so I wasn't prepared to take just 2 of them. Since my earlier post though, I've been reading an interview of the Yorkshire Sheperdess who says 'Christmas is for having a good time' which is what you've just said, so thank you. Hope you're feeling better soon, anxiety is a horrible thing. DD suffers from it and it's very misunderstood from what I've seen so far.    

StokieBecks

Ah ok I have probably missed you saying that on previous posts  - totally understandable and your DS is very thoughtful that he wouldn't leave her on her own. And you are lovely for hosting them all to ensure they still have some kind of Christmas. I hope all three of them enjoy their time with you. 

princesskitty29

As Christmas is getting closer it is feeling a bit strange. I’m half excited and half sad about it all! We moved into tier 3 today and I’m honestly starting to feel like we would be better off not seeing anyone, which is not what I want at all. Our plans were to have the in laws over on Christmas Day then go and see my parents on boxing day. My in laws are now undecided as to whether they are going to come over, which I completely understand and I have to decide whether we should go and see my parents. Part of me wishes we had taken the boys out of school early and isolated at home so we knew we were safe but I’m not sure what the school would have said about that. Too late now anyway! Squeak’s swimming lessons had started up again after the last lockdown but I didn’t feel comfortable going so I didn’t take him, I felt a bit guilty him missing out and because we’d paid for it, but I feel vindicated now as we got an email yesterday saying 3 staff there had tested positive and one of the would have been his teacher who we’re in the pool with. My friend now has to get her children tested as they’ve been going and have been in contact with them.

 

I’ve got some presents to wrap and cards to write but I’m confident that’ll all get done this weekend so I can relax next week. We’re hoping to take the boys out on the ‘Fairylight Express’ tonight – so basically jazz up the car, put some Christmas tunes on, give them a hot chocolate and drive around and look at the Christmas lights!

 

rachsecret oh your baking looks and sounds lovely! I bet it was wonderful sitting down afterwards to sample it all! I’ve just started to read ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ by Tricia Ashley, it’s from my bookcase as I’ve read it before but it is lovely and Christmassy.

 

Redrobin I’m glad to hear your DH is on the mend and you’ll be free to go out again.

 

mandco I hope your Grinch evening went/goes well!

 

Peppa there’s two big Grinch films, I’d definitely encourage you to watch the animated version that came out a couple of years ago if you’re ok with animation as it’s quite lovely. The Jim Carey one is a bit crazy! Wiggle always used to watch the Jim Carey one but now everyone here only wants to watch the animated one.

 

Spendless I’m glad your DD got to see the play.

 

Stokie it’s very tough at the moment and I also have moments of being excited about Christmas interspersed with feeling quite flat because of everything going on. Be kind to yourself, this year really is like no other.

 

GTQ and GIYD glad you enjoyed the Christmas card swap! I too got a lovely card from freespirit.

princesskitty29

I got my cross stitch back from the framers, this is what's been keeping me so busy these last few months!

kerri_gt

Princesskitty that cross stitch looks amazing, you must be very proud of it.

Know what you mean about Christmas,  I still haven't bothered to put any decs up bar two lights out the front. Can't see the point. DM is coming to dinner so I'll prob put the tree up so I don't get comments about the house not looking festive.
We've just gone into T3 too so booked to go out for dinner last night before we were locked up again. Aside from that all our xmas plans are now cancelled so whole thing feels entirely pointless.

Spendless

princesskitty- Is it because of the kids being at school you're concerned? Or is it because you've gone to Tier3? If it's the latter, then it does sound scary to those not in it. We've been in it since before lockdown2, so strictly speaking should not have gone off to London. Though I can class that under education which is allowed due to the course DD is on at college. Do I think we presented a risk to anyone? Absolutely not. Daughter though she commutes to college (into Tier2) only goes a couple of times per week, has to use public transport, so more socially distanced than any college transport is (which isn't available to our area as we're not catchment) and has a very small group on her course. I don't work, DH works from home. We have parents who are disabled, have health issues, so are careful where we go. I rarely see anyone walking the dog and any shops are quick in and out. If it's over kids being at school  then are you able to isolate until next week in case they start showing symptoms. Only you can make the judgement call though to the risk liklihood. Waiting to hear what Boris says next though, everyone's plans might be up in the air! Love the cross stitch. 

Peppapig

Wow PRINCESSKITTY no wonder that took such a long time, it’s amazing.
I’m assuming our move into tier 4 from tomorrow has made the decision about Christmas for you. It’s certainly crystallised our plans. Who’d have thought back in March that we’d still be in this position at Christmas. I think FaceTime and Zoom are going to be very busy next week as am I since I’ll be delivering Christmas presents to people we won’t now be seeing. 

princesskitty29

Yes you are right Peppa, moving into tier 4 has certainly made the decision for me! I’m desperately trying to stop myself feeling too down and to be pragmatic but it’s hard. I know I was toying with not seeing anyone anyway but having it confirmed that I definitely can’t got to me, this is the first year that I won’t spend Christmas with my family or my in laws. I guess I always had a bit of hope before! But my head knows it’s for the best, and I know the boys will still love it and we will make it special for them. I just wish I could shake this feeling in the pit of my stomach, I feel a bit like I did back when we first went into lockdown. I’m trying hard to focus on the future and think ahead to (hopefully) Easter when we can see family again and have a second little Christmas. My family live too far away to exchange presents so it will all have to wait until then. My brother’s birthday is Christmas Eve and I’ve got his present here that I can’t post so that’ll have to wait too! I think I probably wouldn’t feel so bad if I could knock on my parents door and have a doorstep natter or go for a walk with one of them. But I’m also very aware that there are a lot of people out there in worse situations than us and we have a lot to be grateful for. I’m glad this thread is still here as it’s just made me feel a bit better getting all of this out!

 

Thank you for your lovely comments about my cross stitch, I am very proud of it. When I was younger I only ever used to do cards and small projects but now I love getting my teeth into bigger ones.

 

Spendless thank you for taking the time to try and help me reach a decision, turns out Boris made it for me in the end!

 

kerri it’s a very tough year for Christmas spirit and don’t be too down on yourself if you can’t get into it, it’s understandable. Here’s hoping that next year we will all be excitedly chatting on here about all of our plans to see friends and family and that the world will be a different place!