The Christmas that is mine.

People have always come to me. Ironically for the first year ever, my D had asked me to go to hers but I've declined, with D working amongst people, GS also working and the children going to school----it's asking for trouble. I'm safer on my own, with plenty of M&S goodies I'll not do too badly. D will have a house full I imagine.

No cooking to time as for years when D worked Christmas Day, she and GS would come along at teatime after her work and I'd be in the thick of it with half a dozens pans and the oven on the go, all timed.
Last year was no different and I had step-D staying a few nights as it was her first time alone and I didn't want that for her.

D will visit while we exchange presents etc and I'll be quite happy without the rushing involved. Warm, well fed, TV, t'internet, carols, what more does a girl want ?

God willing, DH and I shall enjoy xmas dinner on Xmas eve with DD1, SIL and Dgd, Also DD2 and Gs. We go back on Xmas day to watch the children opening their presents. All very enjoyable and DD1 cooks the meal, though I provide the pudding, cake and mince pies.

Nanny27 ??? I just want to make it clear that no babies were harmed in the making of our Christmas dinner!!!

I've never been forced to spend Christmas Day with people I don't want to be with! This year our numbers are depleted as my mum is now in a care home with Alzheimer's and unfortunately she would be too anxious to sound the day with us. My sister and brother in law will not be flying over from the US which they usually do.

I am hoping though that our reduced family of 9 people from 4 households will still be able to get together at my other sisters house. If not, I might well be on my own, in which case I'm going to get a takeaway delivery and stuff the traditions!

Beauregard I get it that you weren’t keen on your son’s family coming for dinner, but having the baby for Christmas dinner seems a bit extreme! A turkey is more traditional! ??

This year we were due to have DS, his partner, her two children and the baby they have together for Christmas dinner. I remember last time they came for Christmas, two years ago, they arrived half an hour before the meal, sat looking at their phones while we prepared the food and left shortly after the meal was over. It was all very flat and the children were surly and uncommunicative. I wasn't looking forward to a repeat of that this year so am relieved it's not going to happen.

Christmas this year will be all about spoiling ourselves with nice food and I'm quite looking forward to it.

Nope I've always pleased myself and started as I intended to continue. We spent every Christmas day at home and no one was invited. If they were upset about it they kept it to themselves.

We usually have a big get-together (those for whom this is possible) on Christmas Eve. We have a huge, noisy, take-away dinner and swap a few gifts to be opened the next day.
Christmas is laid-back and small. It works well for us this way.
This year I’ll miss Christmas Eve - as Christmas Day will be much the same as last year.

All the years our children were small, Christmas was always at MIL’s home. DH came from a large family, it was expected that everyone went back home, up to 30 or so adults and children.

Dinner had to be eaten in two sittings, heaps of washing up, the women did everything while the men played cards, darts, dominoes.

DH loved it, but I didn’t, and our children, daughter in particular, does not look back on childhood Christmas days with much pleasure. They were not very close with any of the cousins, and were always pleased when it was time to go home, and play with their new toys.

MIL would have been very huffy if we hadn’t gone, but there was so many of us I don’t think we would have been missed.

I too can finally have Xmas in my own home no long journey in traffic queues to the outlaws on Xmas eve. If the pubs were safe I would go on Xmas eve for a while then home with a takeaway. Then Xmas and Boxing Day. Just chill eating what and when I please not the usual regimented order we are subjected to. So although I can't do everything I would like with the socially distanced restrictions I have decided is right for me and all around me I will enjoy relaxing at home eating lovely food watching rubbish on television and sleeping in my own comfortable bed.

I think quite a lot of people are feeling mightily relieved that they won’t have to do what is traditionally expected - especially if it involves charging here and there so that nobody’s nose will be out of joint - and having a nice peaceful day at home instead.

However, if this 5 day ‘relaxation period’ the media are mentioning, does come about....
I can see some of those people saying late in the day, ‘Oh, Lord, I’m afraid two of us have symptoms, we’d absolutely hate to pass it on...’ ?

I am looking forward to a day on my own. I shall cook a small piece of ham and buy some nice stinky cheese to eat with homemade bread, also a few other treats. I may not cook a roast dinner at all.
P.S. I have already eaten the contents of my peanut cup advent calendar!

How lovely for you! It's good to hear a positive spin on Christmas 2020.

What are your plans Missfoodlove?

It would be lovely to hear others plans for a pared down, more intimate Christmas.