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

Peppapig

Was a very different Christmas this year and Christmas Eve wasn’t exciting like it usually is, probably because the anticipation for a lovely Christmas Day was missing. However, it turned out that Christmas Day was actually lovely. I watched DGD open her pressies via FaceTime in the morning, lunch was much less stressful as there were only the two of us (I’m not what you’d call a natural cook), five households had a lovely family singalong to the 12 Days of Christmas via Zoom in the afternoon and then we had a family Christmas quiz on Zoom in the evening. Boxing Day was quiet but then it always is and I made the most of it by doing absolutely nothing and not feeling even slightly guilty. 

Nobody knows what the coming months will bring and I think New Year will be particularly poignant this year with all that’s happened in 2020, but new year, new hope so I’m going to look at it positively and make my resolutions and break them just the same as I do every year lol.

My suggestion for the new thread title would be Driving Home for Christmas in the hope that next year we’ll all be able to.

C_J

Have we had “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” before?

princesskitty29

3forholidays said:

PK - We could use ‘Stay Another Day’ as it will be followed by ‘It’s the 2021 Christmas Chatter Thread’. Hopefully that should be enough for the non Christmas lovers to know to avoid the thread. 

Oh yes I didn't think of this! I don't mind what we have really, perhaps because there's been a lot of different suggestions you could pull one out of a hat?

I’m glad those who have posted managed to enjoy Christmas despite everything, and I hope those who haven’t posted yet also enjoyed it. Normally by now I feel like I’ve done Christmas, but I don’t feel like that this year and I think it’s because I keep expecting to see family. I keep looking ahead to Easter, I know the next couple of months are going to be really tough with lots of restrictions, we probably won’t come out of tier 4, but I do hope there’s some light at the end of the tunnel by Easter time! We had already booked to stay at the farm near my parents so fingers crossed. I was sad that after all of the effort I put in to do my MiL’s cross stitch picture I didn’t get to see her open it, I wish we’d arranged for her to open it on the doorstep now, but then at the same time I wouldn’t have wanted to put her on the spot! She said she loved it though so i'm happy.

 

There were some bits I needed to buy online and I managed to get a few presents in the sales whilst doing so, I got a Science Museum kit for my nephew and a cable knit hat and scarf set for my brother from Debenhams – although hilarious I’m buying presents for next year when he hasn’t had this years yet! I also got my mum a ‘Mum’ buttercup mug and an insulated water bottle for a friend from Emma Bridgewater. Earlier this year I broke one of my favourite Emma Bridgewater mugs, it’s a discontinued design so it wasn’t on their website when I was checking throughout the year and I could only find it on ebay for an extortionate amount (I only paid £13ish for it in the sale) and then low and behold it popped up in the Emma Bridgewater sale yesterday so I snapped it up!

 

Treasurequeen thanks for the heads up about the Notonthehightstreet and Etsy sales.

princesskitty29

I forgot to mention that Wiggle got a karaoke machine for Christmas so a lot of Christmas day was spent listening to DH sing a lot of good songs very badly! I think he played with it more than Wiggle! 

rachsecret

Had a lovely Christmas despite it being different and the distinct lack of human contact other than Mum and sister popping round on Christmas evening. There were definite good points eg lack of the mountains of bin bags of wrapping paper, general tidying and rushing around to keep to a schedule but even the Grinch (DH) said he missed having guests over the festive period. 
NYE we are having a family zoom at 11.30 and my uncle is playing his bagpipes to pipe the NY in virtually rather than us all doing it in the street. 

So glad this group is continuing next year as it has really helped with my preps and you have all given me so many good ideas. Also nice to see I am not the only Christmas crazy nutter out here! I think next year will be bigger and better than ever as we will have a lot to be thankful for and will be organising a Christmas to make up for this year. 

CazD2008

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
I have to admit I barely participated in the group this year, I’d lost heart with Christmas if I’m honest. I just got what I had to get and was done with it, just didn’t feel the same!
so I’ve logged back in to join the new thread and am ready and raring to go for Christmas 2021.
xxx

nic2075

Curious to know if anyone is planning to have Christmas in July ? hoping we are allowed) as a family we have mentioned having a big outdoor gathering in the summer. They mentioned Christmas, I was thinking about this and wondered if we should actually aim for an actual Christmas dinner or a variation.  I was thinking of a Christmas bbq. Turkey burgers, roast potato and pigs n blanket kebabs 😂 I’ve bought some pigs n blankets for the freezer just incase and bought some reduced crackers.  I do think by the summer no one will actually want anything Christmassy and just be happy to be together.  It’s a nice thought though 

anthonyconstantinou

Merry Christmas and new year blessings to everyone

nic2075

Happy New year when it comes. 🥳

Let’s hope 2021 is better than this year.  Looking back it has been a quick year. One we will never forget. It’s been scary and worrying for most of it. But I’ve learned there is so much out with my control, out with all our control. I’ve learned to live with that and look after the things I can control, like my mental health and well-being. 

I’m very introverted and actually loved the time at home with the kids. We spent so much quality time together. No pressure to be anywhere or to have the house a certain way. It did take me a few weeks to feel that way, I spent the first 3 weeks of lockdown in a state of panic and doom. I realise how lucky I was to have my job and security. 

Thank you everyone for being here through the year. You’ve given me great advice and made me feel better. I’ll look forward to seeing 2021 through with you all x

mandco

Nic xmas in July sounds like a great idea and a bbq with a xmas twist sounds perfect 

This year has been so hard in many ways what got me through the most was trying to find the positive in everyday - being thankful for the small things and trying to make the most of the time I had with the kids esp as they are getting older and normally we spend very little time together doing family things anymore. We have been very lucky apart from ds who was laid off the others still have jobs though their hours have been cut and no-one we know has been seriously affected by covid itself so for that I am very very thankful.  

Anyone else reluctant to take down the decs this year?  
I have a few days before they are meant to come down but the idea of keeping them up till we can actually have xmas has crossed my mind once or twice esp as I hate the empty feeling it leaves and with Jan set to be a write off there isn't exactly anything to look forward to any time soon.

Happy New Year everyone - Lets hope 2021 is one to remember for all the right reasons 
Stay safe