Will you go to family at Christmas?

Olive53 The reason the government is permitting this is because they know fine well it's going to happen anyway. Maybe you haven't had personal experience of Covid19? Come and do my job in the NHS and maybe you'll change your mind.

Our daughter and grandchildren are coming here, I look after the kids on a daily basis so it’s no different for us. Daughter is a teacher anyway and granddaughter is in primary school so no doubt we’ve all been infected at some point. None of us are vulnerable though and that is different. I do think vulnerable people need to stay safe at home.

What makes all you naysayers think things will be different soon after Christmas ? Not much change to come anytime soon so live for today and CELEBRATE while we may !! That doesn't mean go to stay in other people's housesit if your family and loved ones re remotely near then join in the fun !! The Government has no idea at all how to deal with the virus so why listen ?? That's not to say we all go to crowded places like pubs (which we can't anyway ) but seeing your family- go for it and spread the love. Yes, maybe spread the virus too but that's pretty unlikely unless someone is unwell when you meet up. Stop listening to the news and social media - enjoy yourself while you can !!

No. Haven't done for years. There's so much outside pressure put on having a 'big family get together' at Christmas that people feel let down when it doesn't happen.
20 years ago I was on my own for a few years. My sister was insistent that I joined them for Christmas. I was more insistent that I would stay on my own.
I had a great day, took myself off for a drive or had a walk , ate what I wanted when I wanted, watched what I wanted on tv. No stress, no panic, no bad cooking, it was bliss.
I ask that people reassess what's important and if Christmas means nothing about religion but is all about family, eating to excess and spending a fortune on presents, then just name another date and get together then.

If this pandemic is really as bad as they’re telling us, what Government would seriously let us mix for 5 days over Christmas
I’ve had my comments removed on previous occasions because admin don’t like me frightening people
It’s the Government that’s frightening everyone, come on Ladies, I’m sure you’re intelligent, please start to question all this for yourselves.

Honestly, I wouldn't do it now - there will be other chances to meet. It really is just a matter of gritting ones teeth for a short time.

Our Christmas Day will be the same as always, me, daughter, son-in-law, grandson. Lovely

I am clinically extremely vulnerable so will take my GC’s presents to them and stand outside with my mask on while they open the presents, and then return home for the rest of Christmas

603 people died yesterday in one day. How many will there be in January?

I decided to let my 94yr old mother decide what she wanted to do . She said , and I quote, ‘ I’ve had a good innings but maybe this is my last Christmas, so I’d rather spend it with family’ . So she will be with us, DD and her only DGS who does more for her health than a pot full of pills. I have watched her sink more and more into depression this year and her dementia has definitely worsened so am weighing this up against the Covid risk.

It us really not worth the risk. I think the government us mad suggesting this. This just want yo look good to the voters saying we saved Christmas. They are idiots After Christmas the cases will rocket and the deaths increase and we will be jn a strict lickdiwn again and that's not fair to the people who kept Christmas small and did not mix with various households. The vaccine will be here soon and I want to live for that not die because of unsafe mixing at Christmas.

It’s not just the media - they are imo reflecting the message the Government has promoted. We’re going to be naughty anyway so they’ll get in first and give us permission to be naughty so it doesn’t look like they’re not in control. Well, plenty of us are not going to be naughty children but sensible grown ups who won’t forgive them for the suffering and deprivations we’ll all suffer in January.

Absolutely well said Suziwoozie, couldn't agree more.

I’m with TBsNana, that people will be under pressure to meet up ‘ because it’s allowed’, so, if they’re not following the rules exactly, they’re liable to make their own ‘tweaks’.
I don’t know what the adverts nearer Christmas will be like, but I’m normally irritated by the ones showing gigantic party gatherings and family dinner tables of twenty people. To me,this is another unrealistic depiction of what Christmas should be . That’s why we always went to the sun at Christmas, where we weren’t bombarded! My ‘bubble’ family are hoping to go to in-laws in Wales, as they missed going last year because of the Bodach’s illness, but dad-in-law is vulnerable, so it’s not looking good. I’ll be quite happy staying here, and won’t feel in the least let down.

Tanith, I thought you couldn’t change households. Once the three are decided that’s it for the duration or have I misunderstood?

No ! Why put yourselves at risk for a gathering that may be a disaster to your health / life .
I have children and grandchildren and we will not be present ,eventhough I have a single daughter who's children will be absent this year and she will be on her own.
We will zoom ,chat ,play games ect at a distance.
Next year you will be able to have a fabulous Christmas with the knowledge that you have given yourself a good chance of actually being around .
I feel children , SOMETIMES dont understand the disasterous consequences of the idyll of family togetherness where this virus is concerned.
Have a peaceful, happy and safe Christmas.
?

^ I feel that so many of us have come this far being extremely careful about who we meet and how many, and have tried to follow the guidelines, that I don’t feel like throwing all that away just for a few days over Christmas - otherwise what was the point?^

Our ACs and families live around 100 miles down the M40, too far to travel there and back in a day anyway (well ok, we could but a) couldn't drink and b) would end up knackered). So we'll be in touch via Zoom or Messenger on Christmas Day and look forward to early 2021 when hopefully we will all have had the jab.

Bring it on!

Forgot to add missing one Christmas out of 70 isn’t a tragedy ?:-

I’m also extremely clinically vulnerable like many others. Been isolating for 8 months or so. We will wait till we can have a relaxed dinner altogether that’s safe. Wish Boris hadn’t okayed this ?

No we are staying put this Christmas. Seems more sensible

I am another who will not be meeting anyone over Christmas, I have decided with a very heavy heart not to see my disabled daughter who is on her own, the risk is just to great I just wish Boris had been strong enough to give Christmas a break as we will pay for it after Christmas

I agree with Mapleleaf. We have spent all year being extra careful and avoiding unnecessary contact with people (family or otherwise), we're not going to start taking risks now when there is a distant light at the end of the tunnel. We will deliver gifts to one branch of the family, but not stay long, and post them to the rest of the family, and spend Christmas day on our own. Hopefully next year might be different.

In our family we haven’t yet decided what to do at Christmas. In our wider family we have people who own businesses such as a bar and restaurant, a hairdressers and a gift shop. We’re very worried about their future survival and the fate of their employees. They will welcome any chance to be open at this time of year. I support the cautious attitude of the posters here but we must remember that not everyone can isolate.

My reply was for @tanith

If your daughter’s 3 ac are from different households then she is breaking the rules ?‍♀️

It’s so sad but we have just agreed with our DD that we will not see her over Christmas even though she has a new baby and we would love nothing more. We don’t want to be the soldiers who fall on the eve of Armistice Day, the vaccine is coming soon and next year will be better.

I shall be going to my daughter for Christmas Day, as she is my support bubble, and I have been seeing her most weeks anyway. She lives about a 10 minute drive away. I won’t be seeing any other family, as we have cancelled the other two big lunches we would normally have.