Unexpected Christmas Day for 2 - what to do?

I'm not normally 'unpleasant' as you put it Vegans- but its happened so many times on here lately- folk who ask for 'advice' or 'ideas' of what to do for such & such, its like there's loads out there who can't think for themselves- in even the simplest of things-or need a suggestion for everything, or 'need permission' to do what they want, that its disheartening!

Just the two of us after the move to tier 4. I’ll leave the Turkey in the freezer, I’ve put all the other perishables like the ham, piggies in blankets etc in the freezer too. We’ll have a roasty beef dinner with a nice bottle of Bordeaux, followed by trifle, coffee and mints, then snuggle down for some TV and chocolates. I’ve promised my grandchildren that I will do “Christmas” as soon as we are free to see them. Enjoy the day everyone, and fingers crossed for a safe and healthy new year

Many years ago, when my husband and I had our first alone Christmas after releasing the children into the big wide world, we went to M&S and independently chose six ready meals each. This was indeed extravagance for us. M&S was our envied but unaffordable dream. Such joy in that we ate whatever whenever and had a chore free and blissful time. I remember it with such happiness. We just kept looking at each other and laughing.

As several GNs have mentioned it’s much more difficult for people on their own, especially as the media insist on banging on about families and gifts. During the first lockdown (here in Spain) I really learned to appreciate my husband in a way I didn’t before. For us this was a silver lining in an otherwise dark cloud. This current new set of restrictions surely isn’t a surprise as it has been on the cards for a while - we all know how infections spread, don’t we!
Let’s just enejoy the rest, remember to Skype/zoom our friends and family (especially the single ones), and plan/fantasise for future events/get togethers.
Happy Xmas everyone ? ?? ☃️ ? ?

Myself and the 3 cats. If I pluck up the courage to go to M&S the world will be my oyster, let loose among the goodies and that will make my Christmas. Then I won't care if it snows
Television, internet, what more does one want ? And yes, a full Christmas dinner followed by a musical evening after sprouts, mushy peas and stuffing.

No Sheilall, but Boris is responsible for waiting till the last minute to tell all of you who HAD made plans to change them!

Petra

Thank you! Will watch it shortly. Cannot wait!

I don’t want or need to be “told what to do “ I thought it would be an interesting “chat” topic to find out what others in the same boat were planning or would do. I am an adult thanks very much and there have been some interesting posts. Thanks to those who haven’t been unpleasant.

Like many others we didn’t think the getting together - 3 families- was wise so we planned Christmas Day for just the two of us. We’re in Wales so not going out and not mixing seems very sensible at the moment. Thank goodness for the internet and phones. We can keep in touch with family and friends until the vaccines are given.

Craftycat- you can always make those and freeze some.

And no, I'm not cross at any 'change of plans' as i was always staying home, with my 2 youngest sons who live at home.I'm just fed up of grown ups who seemingly can't make their own decisions, and Boris is one of them!

We are now going to be just the two of us for first time ever too.
I think both my sons intend to come over some time after 25th for a walk but doubt we will see all the DGC.
I had already bought the turkey so if will be curry, soup,pie, risotto etc for days! Roll on Easter!

I know i should be more patient but frankly I'm running out of it for fully grown adults who come on here for others to "tell them what to do"!! What is wrong with you people?You're adults- with a free day to yourselves- Do what you want!??

Whatever you decide to do have a peaceful Christmas.

I shall be with DH and my brother who is our bubble, we shall dress up smartly DH in smoking cap the lot and I am cooking a turkey crown and all the trimmings, we shall then flop out and probably watch some TV, or more likely an old Two Ronnies DVD I have just found, open the presents with family on line and by then it should be bedtime again. We are very grateful for all the Chrismases we have been together.

I’m sorry vegans rock, but I’m not sure Boris is responsible for the pandemic or for the new strain!
I had Covid 19 back in March and I’m just grateful to be alive!
It is just a day, and we can all do our best to cheer others up instead of licking our wounds. If we are all looking out for someone else it stops us worrying about what we haven’t got. I’m sure you didn’t mean it negatively, but it has a knock on effect if we’re not careful. Boris Johnson may not be a lot of things we hoped he would be, but I really think he’s doing his best with this particular poisoned chalice.

From Tier 2 last Tuesday to Tier 4 now! Plans have changed but - whisper it - DH and I are very happy to be just us. We'll have early morning tea and present-opening in bed, then probably a scrambled egg and smoked salmon breakfast followed by a walk followed by coffee. We'll have turkey and all the trimmings plus christmas pudding with a sweet white sauce with the addition of plenty of rum. Not quite sure when we'll eat, but it doesn't matter. We will dress nicely and I'll wear make-up and scent. A crackling fire, a nice bottle of wine and a dvd (television is c**p!) - perfick!

We were planning to be at DS & DDIL Just thé four of us. They have been planning our visit for months food wise - DDIL and I choosing films to watch on 24th. It kept us all going through various lockdowns. 4:40 I was still buying little stocking fillers on Saturday 4:55 plans all gone awry.
It has been crushing. We live in Wales they live in T4 S E England.
We have a cheese mountain as that was what I was taking (DS & I esp love a cheeseboard) but no other real Christmas Fare. DS has 5 days worth of meat veg and other treats.

DH and I now just want to sit and eat snacks on Christmas Day. So that’s what we are going to do. There will be Zoom calls and we are hopefully Zoom present opening as well.

We know it’s the only option. This thing has to be stopped - we have lost family members so it’s real enough but it’s the timing and shock that over the weekend. Both DH and DS really affected - anxiety it seems. DDIL and me, crying. It is only one day. I know. Was all this pain (and I’m not alone. Saturday night my messages were going mad as friends in similar positions were all venting) avoidable? Why build hopes up ?

We will have a Christmas with M&S party food, Buck’s Fizz and Zoom.

We will have a proper Christmas next year. Got to hold that dream

I agree with all the other Gransnetters - just do what you fancy. We have just moved house (11th December) and were never going to have anyone with us on the day. One daughter in Singapore, one in London and one in Oxford. We were going to go to the Oxford one for lunch on 27th but will now see her and her partner for coffee and present-giving on 25th. We each had our own planned meal so will not gatecrash theirs. We'll have ours early evening with a nice bottle of wine - maybe some prosecco before - and then watch a silly film on Netflix. It will be fine. We are in Tier 2 and tomorrow is our 48th wedding anniversary so we'll have brunch at the Burford garden centre and a Thai meal out in the evening. An usual Christmas but not at all horrid and we are pledged that 22nd and 25th will be a day of no house jobs.

We are in Tier 2. We had planned to have my two boys and wives over on Boxing day as it is the in-laws turn to have them both on Christmas day. Now we will have Christmas day on our own. Wont bother to dress up but we will open our presents and possibly go for a walk and then have our turkey which will now last forever!! Just heard from my eldest that they will pop round in the morning so that has cheered me up. I have been staying in for a year (give or take a couple of supermarket trips) and was so looking forward to a family get together. I do think we would not be in such a mess if people just did as they were asked, wear a mask and keep their distance.

Well your lucky to have your OH to celebrate with, make the most of it, you never know what’s round the corner.
I’d give anything to be able to celebrate with my OH who died 30 yrs ago. Count your blessings.

I don't think vegansrock was either moaning or asking others what they should do with their unexpected twosome day. I think it was taking an interest in what others were planning to do now it's all change again. Some of us have never previously had the freedom to do exactly as we wanted.

We're in the same boat - living in Tier2 but 2 out of 3 AC and their families are now in the new Tier4 and the family that's in Tier2 has a member who's recently tested positive! So yes, we're on our own for the first time ever in 47yrs and after the initial disappointment, I have to admit my first positive thought was that it meant I didnt have to cook a Christmas dinner for the masses - first time in 35yrs!

We are butchering and freezing the turkey and have ordered 2 beautiful rib eye steaks for the 25th. They'll be lots of FaceTime/Zoom/WhatsApp video calls on the day and it will be very different but we'll work to make it good.

We're already building in treats in the run up like the Scottish Ballet's Christmas performance streaming tonight, our favourite Christmas film, carols from Kings and we're hopeful the village communal 'carols round the tree' will still go ahead on Christmas Eve.

We're thankful for each other, will count our blessings (especially now that, after this year, we really recognise what they are!) and hope we will all eventually be able to get together safely and happily in 2021.

Because I cannot travel I normally spend Christmas Day alone. It has always been the custom for my three grand children and their families to go to my son and daughter in law. The latter both in their seventies have not left the house for months apart for my son coming to visit me a few times.
I feel sorry for my grandson and wife who live in a top floor flat in London who were looking forward to spending a few days in the countryside after both working from home. It must put a strain on their marriage.
We will have a Zoom meeting on Christmas Day.

Hello @vegansrock. I hope that you have a lovely day, whatever you decide to do.
I'm on my own with DH too and we're just going to go with the flow.
We are going out walking with DS and our gorgeous GC who are both under the age of 3. I am so looking forward to seeing their beautiful little faces and, although I'm sad not to have them opening presents in our lounge, I'm ok with staying safe.
I'm going to be a bit naughty now and suggest that we might recapture some romance - perhaps a bubbly bath together with candles and a glass of fizz each? I think this is a good opportunity to have a Christmas Day like no other (usually we have a houseful and you can't get near the bathroom for young adults showering, etc)!
Plus a delicious mushroom wellington for lunch... with all the 'vegan' trimmings!
Merry Christmas everyone! xxx

We're planning to do nothing. I am so pleased to have a year I don't have to faff with xmas trees and decorations. Twice. Once to get them out then once to put them away again. That's several hours of my life I have got back.