Why is everyone so bothered about the rule of 6 and Christmas.....

I think there was upset over cancelled Eid celebrations! Some of us have large extended families who enjoy Christmas get together and I think it is perfectly ok to feel disappointed that this year may be different

I truly hadn't thought that far ahead until various people mentioned it. Small price to pay in order to be around in 2021..... In my humble opinion. In any event I'm guessing the majority will carry on with their normal big Christmas apart from Christmas Eve at Church.

Good post grannywanny agree it goes without saying

It's a case of never mind others as long as I am allright. The media is whipping up a storm. Other religions did have restrictions placed on their celebrations and probably as will be for Christmas if the rule of 6 still applies some ignored and some complied with them. At times I feel sad at how hypocritical we can be given how churches are being sold off due to lack of use yet so much time and money is spent celebrating Christmas. Santa Claus is another matter.

I have friends of different faiths and none, and we’d all be disappointed if Christmas was “cancelled”. All the families I know of the Islamic faith have get-togethers, trees, stockings, cards. When a well-meaning temporary headteacher of mine decided it wasn’t culturally sensitive for our multi-cultural school to have a nativity play, carol service or Christmas Fair, the loudest protests came from the Muslim community. Of course they were disappointed about Eid, as I was about Easter, but they really don’t need anybody to be outraged on their behalf.

Succinctly put as ever, M0nica. (Good to see you back again). It really shouldn't bother anyone, whatever religion or not, that Christmas is reduced to limited numbers, just for once. It is what the situation requires.

Good grief, Christmas is three months away! At the moment, all I can deal with is the here and now.... Who knows where we'll be in December? IMO it makes sense to get on with life as best we can and to make the most of each day as it comes. I continue to gather up Christmas gifts as I go through the year (these are all modest gifts, in my family) but (for me) "plans" simply can't be made at the moment.

I’m with jenniferEccles, Christmas is over 100 days away ( I think) so I’m hoping for the best.

Christmas is three months away

Thank goodness! I was beginning to wonder as an email plopped into my inbox yesterday announcing 'Christmas is here!' from an online shop.

No it is not.

It’ll soon be time to put the sprouts on though.....

Cherrytree, completely agree with you.
It was reported that the police raided restaurants that were full of people at Eid.

I think most people are aware and sympathetic to anyone who has had to cancel or will have to cancel gatherings, whether it be religious or purely social. Poor brides and grooms who have already had to change their wedding dates once and must be wondering if they will be able to go ahead with new dates. Many religious gatherings have been badly affected. But surely we are still allowed to feel sad that Christmas may be a non event as far as family get togethers are affected. For some families it's the one time a year that the whole family can get together. It doesn't mean we consider a Christmas event more important than any other.

I needed some more bubble solution for the children in the garden.
My husband couldn't find it in its usual place in The Range toy department, asked an assistant and was told, "Sorry, no bubbles, it's Christmas." ?

By the time Christmas comes, who knows where we'll be, Covid wise. I've lived for 79 Christmases and expect to see this one in a few months. Missing large celebrations is not going to be the end of the world. We will do what we've always done, " grin and bear it." It won't be the end of the world for my family.

As long as we all stay safe IM Not bothered about Christmas. I usually host Boxing Day but really not bothered much rather it be we are all ok for the new year.

Me too Nipsmum, except it'll be my 80th Christmas----no celebrations for me as I'd like to see 81 I'll be like Scrooge.

maddyone

Cherrytree, completely agree with you.
It was reported that the police raided restaurants that were full of people at Eid.

I’m sure there will be many “illegal” Christmas gatherings as well

I've only seen my GGC on Facetime this year, since December last year ! What a cruel world.

annifrance

Succinctly put as ever, M0nica. (Good to see you back again). It really shouldn't bother anyone, whatever religion or not, that Christmas is reduced to limited numbers, just for once. It is what the situation requires.

But overstating as can be the case with generalisations.
Judging by the replies to this thread many people are keeping an open mind about family gatherings at Christmas and several at least have expressed similar views regarding Eid, Hanukkah, Diwali or even Thanksgiving.
So NOT everyone is getting steamed up about Christmas as a religious festival any more than for any other religion.
I dislike being lumped together and told that everybody thinks this or that.
I don’t.

I feel frustrated when people complain of being 'punished', or 'forced' - that irritating word much favoured by the media - to behave in a way to stop the spread. To get upset or angry about a meal or a special day seems a bit trivial; we can all make a day special with the right attitude when we are able to. Attitude is the only string we have to play, ever, and not just in this current crisis. I do feel like asking one of my acquaintances if she would like to go ahead with a twenty plus Christmas party that she is complaining about, and then reflect in years to come how many relatives she has killed. A funeral took place when this whole thing was just starting - one family lost four members who were present.

Ha ha, you’re undoubtedly correct Summerlove, undoubtedly. But I thought it important to say, in the light of my being certain that not everyone will stick to the rules at Christmas, that we should ascribe rule breaking to everyone.

I couldn't give a flying fox about Xmas. It is a pigfest, which doesn't seem to involve the birth of Jesus anymore. Oh to spend it in a country where modest celebrations prevail and the meaning of Christmas is remembered.

I feel grateful that at least we are allowed to be in a six. So much better than having no contact. ?

There must be many families who would love to have six people round their Christmas table. Some places will be empty because of a death caused by coronavirus. Let’s count our blessings, do as we are asked, and stamp out this awful virus. Then we can really celebrate Christmas 2021.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.