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

mandco

Spendless said:

Been wondering for days about what to do about the students. DS is allowed to return here, the other 2 strictly speaking aren't other than for Christmas Day (we're all Tier3). It's a 3 hour round drive and that's assumming they'd be ready with their bags on the pavement  ready to jump in the car the minute DH drove up to them, which they  really won't be that organised. The only thing I've come up with that fits, is DH sets off 10.30pm to collect them tomorrow so arrives just after midnight, so it's actually Christmas Day. He'd then get back around 2am, they then would have to go to sleep in the beds I've prepared them, that they can sleep in on Christmas Day but not later on on Christmas Day night. Later when they wake  we open presents and have our dinner and then DH will need to take them back sometime in the evening. Seems completely farcial that though they'll have to have a bed in the early hours of Christmas Day, they can't have one the later on in the same day as it will go overnight. It also means DH doing 6 hours of driving in less than 24 hours. I think he has an increased risk of falling asleep at the wheel and driving the lot of them into a ditch than any of us catching covid, since DH finished work last week after a week of working from home. Me and DD haven''t been anywhere since returning from London and the housemates friends all returned to their homes weeks ago so there's been no one for them to socialise with. Can't ask them to catch the train Christmas day instead as not running. Hey, ho don't see what else we can do. 

I would pick them up earlier today then have them stay a couple of day rather than risk dh driving  - the rules have changed but technically they are classed part of your household rather than an additional household so not subject to the one day rule the same as bubbles or other exempt groups even those in tier 4. You are also allowed to travel for work/education so yes it is a bit of a grey area but not exactly breaking any rules and I'm sure them staying a few more hours isn't going to make any difference Good luck what ever you decide.

kerri/princesskitty - I agree christmas isn't just a day its about the season and all the things that lead up to the day itself sadly many of those have been missing this year 

Nic baking is always a great way to take your mind off other things - eating all the goodies afterwards helps too

Happy Xmas eve everyone

Dropped off the grandkids presents tues as planned was great to see them even if  it was at a distance. Turns out we could have done it today as we don't move to tier 4 till boxing day but wasn't worth risking it 
DD did the maccy d's reindeer video to show taz in the morning 
Fairly relaxing day planned - gammon is going in the slow cooker later so its ready for tomorrow- oh & dd have decided they want to get a takeaway for dinner as they are working today so I don't have to cook now and the Xmas eve hamper is ready for later just need to decide what movie we are going to watch.

However you spend tomorrow I hope its the best day it can be under the circumstances

Merry Christmas everyone - wishing you all health, happiness and great memories - even if they aren't the ones we'd planned

Peppapig

I delivered all the pressies yesterday for the people that should have been here tomorrow, picked up pressies from each and dropped them off at the right places. It’s definitely been an unhappy few days although thankfully I feel a bit better about it this morning. It’s the first time in her 58 years of life that I haven’t spent Christmas Day with my sister, first time in her 38 years for DD2 and in her 11  Christmases for DGD. DD2 and DGD have always stayed with us from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day so lots of firsts this year. I’m preparing a Christmas quiz and an ‘everyone do a day’ version of the 12 days of Christmas for a Zoom call tomorrow. I don’t feel like I normally  do on Christmas Eve, usually my favourite day of the year, but I’m trying to take a ‘fake it til you make it’ approach so the young ones don’t have their day spoilt any more than it has been already. Having followed all the rules and not being able to see my mum properly or hug her at all since February it was really only planning for Christmas that’s kept me going so not to have it has been hard to cope with. I must admit I’m very jealous of those not in tier 4. Amidst all the usual chaos of Christmas I’ve sometimes thought how nice it might be to for DH and I just have the day on our own - I think it’s safe to say I’ve changed my mind.

Anyway, enough of that. Have as lovely a Christmas as you can everyone. I don’t know if any of ‘old crowd’ are still reading but if you are I’m wishing an especially happy Christmas to you, the thread definitely isn’t the same without you. xx

vulpix

Just popping in to wish one and all a very Happy Christmas,and hoping for a much better New Year.
Christmas plans are out of the window this year.DS has Covid,confirmed yesterday.So I suppose he had the menningitis vaccine in the Oxford trial not the Covid vaccine.He had to go to Oxford for his test at the research centre.
Tomorrow Mr V will go to visit his Mother and I will visit mine.I don't care if it breaks the rules .How do you choose between two frail soon to be 87 years olds. We hardly venture out the house and neither do they so I am not worried.
I am not cooking the turkey.It can stay in the freezer and we will have Christmas at a later date.
I am pleased that you are feeling better RR and your husband too.
Love to you all,( I miss the "old crowd" too Peppa)
Vx

murie

Well, we've all come this far in despite whats been thrown at us this year, so perhaps our Christmas spirit has helped us? Who knows? I just know that I am going to concentrate on being grateful for what we are allowed to do rather than complaining about what we cant..as far as I can see its not productive and the situation will still be the same regardless of whether we moan about it or not, so we might as well just put our big girl pants on and "deal with it". I think this all comes down to using common sense, something that seems to be a bit lacking out in the wider community (and yes ,I am going to say it- on here too by some!).
Vulpix- you are spot on, you've weighed up the pros and cons and reached a balanced and sensible decision based on your own circumstances. We have done that too in our family in our family.

I hope everyone who has suffered this year, be it with Covid itself, the loss of a family member or friend or employment wise manages to pull though and cope with all thats been thrown at you. I also hope that for those that are suffering at the moment  that things get better and that things improve for them x.
I miss the old crowd too, Ive been reading along but this thread isn't what it used to be. (Princess Kitty you deserve a pat on the back for keeping it afloat at times x.)
So on that note, Im going to say "Happy Christmas' and lets hope for a much happier and healthier New Year! xx

girlinayellowdress

I must admit to flitting in and out and missing the old crowd, saying that we all seem to be popping in today. 
Question though, is anyone carrying on with a new thread next year?  I know I chat to some of the oldies on Instagram nowadays but I will kick myself if I miss a new thread unless it's had its day, which will be sad but understandable.
With these new strains of covid popping up it would be nice to have somewhere to come back to chat. 
Anyway, as most have said, big hugs to everyone no matter what has happened this year, I think we all deserve a hug. 
Merry Christmas everyone xx

StokieBecks

Vulpix sorry your son has covid. He may still have had the actual vaccine in the trial as how I understand it is it doesn't stop you catching it  just stops you becoming  very ill with it . Hopefully he has a mild case and is well soon. 

Awful day at work!  But to be expected and it's done now. 

Hope everyone enjoys christmas the best they can. 

vulpix

You are right Stokie,spoke to my son tonight.The Dr told him just the same yesterday.He is very lucky in that he has flu like symptoms.Youth is on his side.
Murie,I think Christmas lovers are optimists so perhaps it helps us see the glass half full.
If you are all on instagram how do I find you? I will have to move with the times!
A very Merry Christmas to all you lovely Christmas people. Vxxxx

Mrs_Ryan

Merry Christmas everyone. Everything was going swimmingly until OH’s stepmum dropped the bombshell on us yesterday that she has cancer. I had to dash to the retail park yesterday to make her up a care package. I bought her a pashmina type cape scarf and some velvet soft warm socks from M&S, a soft throw to use as a blanket, a neck pillow and a water bottle from Primark (the water bottle has a spray attachment which you can use to cool yourself down, some puzzle books and pens, some Burt’s Bees lip balm and hand salve, and some herbal teas to help with nausea and bloating. 

I got a taxi over there after work and dropped the stuff off. She seemed to like it anyway. 

I’m exhausted and could do with sleeping all of Xmas Day! 

Have as good a Christmas as you can everyone xx

kerri_gt

So sorry to hear your news Mrs_Ryan That was a lovely and thoughtful care package and I'm sure very much appreciated. 
 I'm sure no one would mind if you slept through tomorrow after that x

3forholidays

Merry Christmas everyone! I’m willing to set up the new thread for next year if everybody is happy enough to continue.

Need some suggestions for the thread title so please could you put your thinking caps on!

Hope that everyone has an enjoyable Christmas whatever your plans are.