Gransnet forums

Chat

What are your plans for Christmas?

(157 Posts)
Kandinsky Sun 11-Oct-20 17:31:46

It’s going to be very strange this year isn’t it.
I normally have all the children ( & their partners) over, but that won’t be happening now as there’s about 12 of us!
I love Christmas, but actually dreading this one.
How about you?

Suzan05 Mon 12-Oct-20 11:27:53

This will be our third Christmas on our own. Children too far away including Australia so won't be any different. Children and grandchildren have Christmas Day in their family unit then go to in laws on Boxing Day as they live close to them. Son in the south of England spends Christmas alone, he always refuses invites. I think we all have to go with whatever restrictions are placed on us this year but personally it will make no difference.

polnan Mon 12-Oct-20 11:23:03

I admit it, haven`t read all the posts, but me?

I think we make to much of Christmas,, but that is my opinion, so much stress etc. at the best of times

now? GNW hope I got that right, yes, working and good health is what I hope for my family, and not a mad escapism by too many of the population.

4allweknow Mon 12-Oct-20 11:13:12

Hopefully visiting son,DiL and GS. Going by today's rules should be okay - two families, within rule of 6.

Quizzer Mon 12-Oct-20 11:12:04

Our family, 12 plus ourselves, live a long way apart and Christmas is usually the only time we all meet together. Probably not going to happen this year. If we are on our own we probably won't bother with traditional Christmas dinner as neither of us are fond of turkey !

Craftycat Mon 12-Oct-20 11:11:03

Not even thinking about it yet- so much could change before then & we have no idea what it will be like.

WOODMOUSE49 Mon 12-Oct-20 11:10:32

Davida1968

No plans. Niet, nada, rien. No idea what the next week holds, never mind December!

Same with us. Only plans are to have:
Food in the fridge/freezer.
Drinks on the shelf.

GrammarGrandma Mon 12-Oct-20 11:08:14

We're moving house, which will keep us busy and distracted. I say to myself that it's only one Christmas and I hope there will be some more. I'm certainly not dreading it - some nice food, a good wine and too much TV - it will be fine.

luluaugust Mon 12-Oct-20 11:06:16

I have accepted that it will probably be me, OH and my brother for a Christmas lunch, unless bubbles are done away with, if either of our two AC who are nearby can pop in great. Not sure if I am looking forward to cooking a Christmas dinner again after about ten years off duty.

Daddima Mon 12-Oct-20 11:05:20

Have never been a fan of Christmas, and we headed for the sun. This will be my first Christmas without the Bodach, and I’ve realised that it was always him who wanted to go away for just ten days or so, so I’ve provisionally booked for around five weeks between Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
However, I’m quite happy just to ‘ go with the flow’, joining family or not, as the case may be.

Riggie Mon 12-Oct-20 11:02:31

As always our plans for christmas will be sorted out in december.
I doubt they will change much for us anyway as we usually "pull up the drawbridge" abd have a nice quiet xmas on our own.

sweetcakes Mon 12-Oct-20 10:58:08

Nothing planned except for boxing day daughter and son in law coming over for lunch apart from that it's all up in the air at the mo ?

nipsmum Mon 12-Oct-20 10:30:48

My daughter was very excited as she had just picked up the supermarket order form and magazine for Christmas food. So I expect Christmas to be a celebration Day as usual for this branch of our family.

moonlight Mon 12-Oct-20 10:30:38

I don't bother now a days about it partner has no children my two sided with my ex husband when he left for another woman and cut themselves of from me, so we just have a Christmas dinner dont need to give each other presents and spend the time doing what ever we want. And yes we do enjoy the time and no we dont miss all the rushing around spending money we dont have on things we dont want or need.

kentmaid Mon 12-Oct-20 10:28:45

GardenofEngland

Ferry to Spain end of November. Leave car in Spain, fly back to UK for 1 week just before Christmas with any restrictions they throw at me and celebrate with limited family group. Fly back to Spain till the end of March. Brexit, Covid ... is not stopping me living my life and enjoying my retirement.

Just like us - leave when the clocks change, come back when it’s BST!

We live in an isolated part of Spain so feel very safe. A mixed sociable international community.

On Christmas Day, we have an American Supper style buffet lunch incorporating different nationality dished. Might have to be in the open air this year!

inishowen Mon 12-Oct-20 10:26:57

No plans. I will take it as it comes. It might be just hubs and I. We might have our daughter and kids, or our daughter in law and kids. With things always changing I'm past caring.

Florida12 Mon 12-Oct-20 10:23:57

No plans, just take one day at a time, count my blessings.

TerriBull Mon 12-Oct-20 10:20:26

I'm not dreading it. If it isn't the horrible consumer fest it usually is I think I would prefer that, it's not something we build up to in our house, we'd both prefer to down play it somewhat, except where the younger grandchildren are concerned. I will probably look for presents on line for them and will gift money to older members of the family if I can't find anything suitable on line. It could be just the two of us, but I don't care about that either. It has always been a time when we see the family, but it's all over in two days, unbelievable fuss about not a lot. Quite honestly I prefer summer entertaining when at least there's a good chance of spilling outside.

I was brought up in a household where the religious significance overrode other aspects and although there were endless carol services and masses which I probably didn't appreciate as a child, I now feel nostalgic for those times, I think my ideal Christmas would be the way it's celebrated in the catholic countries of mainland Europe.

djgmpg Mon 12-Oct-20 10:15:43

I won’t mind spending Christmas on my own this year if it comes to it. I love seeing and being with my family at this time but find it exhausting. Living alone since partner died I’m used to the peace of single living. I’m not a killjoy but it’s the level of noise and general mayhem of the day that I find a lot to handle. Wouldn’t want to do a ‘loner’ every year, but giving it a go on my own will be interesting. Will stock up on goodies and treats for me and my dog, sort out want to watch, or not, on the television and will see how it goes.

Alioop Mon 12-Oct-20 10:11:57

Just myself, my sister & our 2 dogs and that's if we are allowed to mix households as N.Ireland
changing minds all the time like everywhere else. I'm always alone Boxing day. I love the run up to it, with the girls lunches, a show and a trip to the Christmas market, but not to be this year. Christmas isn't as enjoyable when you are on your own, but there are a lot worse of than I am. I'll have a roof, heat, food and hopefully health.

Missingmoominmama Mon 12-Oct-20 10:10:32

We will be doing a sunrise hike up a couple of local fells, followed by some good, but easily prepared food. Then we will probably sit by the fire and listen to all the new vinyl I hope to receive wink.

I hope my Dad will be able to join us, as that day will be just his thing (he’s very fit and loves music). He will either be with us, or my brother, restrictions or not. We lost my Mum two years ago, and he’s not spending Christmas alone!

GardenofEngland Mon 12-Oct-20 10:04:38

Ferry to Spain end of November. Leave car in Spain, fly back to UK for 1 week just before Christmas with any restrictions they throw at me and celebrate with limited family group. Fly back to Spain till the end of March. Brexit, Covid ... is not stopping me living my life and enjoying my retirement.

Theoddbird Mon 12-Oct-20 10:02:28

I don't get this thing about Christmas being a time to meet up with family. Surely, any time you meet up with them is special. Count your blessings x

lovebeigecardigans1955 Mon 12-Oct-20 10:02:24

Normally, after lunch I'd visit my sister and family who live about four streets away. I'm not even sure that her adult children will be visiting (at least, not all at once) - usually there's eleven of us. We're in a Covid hotspot so strict rules in force. We have a buffet tea with a quiz and board games.

We can't really plan anything can we? I may even spend the big day alone which I don't mind as I'm naturally a bit of a hermit. It's only one day after all. Sympathies to those who must spend it alone who are unhappy about it.

Soniah Mon 12-Oct-20 10:01:17

No plans, if we can meet it won't be until New Year w/e when the grandchildren have been isolated from school for a couple of weeks but not worrying about it, am making Puddings and cakes and if we can't meet will keep one of each until we can, maybe Christmas in Julysmile

Froglady Mon 12-Oct-20 09:58:40

I have taken a risk and booked a package holiday for 2 weeks in Southern Spain. It's covered by insurance so if it doesn't go ahead I get my money back. I need a change of scene as the furthest I've been away from my home since the March lockdown is 10 miles. I need a change and some more sunshine.