In light of Omicron, how are you doing Christmas this year?

We will travel in our own car, and we are all double vaccinated and the older ones flu vaccinated and boosted. But keeping number low, with only direct family involved. We are not out of the woods yet and we should all be careful still.

Exactly the same as last year. Just the two of us and loads of zoom sessions with family. We've seen lots of family over the year, so we're all agreed that everyone will be safer in their own homes. At the moment I am sitting in a top floor flat on the Swansea coast being buffeted about by storm Barra and if we have any more of these storms over Christmas I am very happy to think that no one will be far from home. The Zoom sessions meant that our family outpost in NZ could join in everything as well, and not feel left out and far from home.

Normal family Christmas for us. 9 of us getting together & we will all test beforehand. Can’t wait after last years shambles.

Another having a normal Christmas. Seven of us, making up for last Christmas, when DH was in hospital critically ill(not COVID), DS and family were 200 miles ago and DD and I were on our own and worried.

All the adults have had three jabs, plus flu, both children (and mother) have had COVID in the last six weeks and if we have any last minute worries we will have lateral flow tests. All of us have packs of tbose at home.

We are working to the slogan: Keep calm and Carry on.

Johnson said yesterday he will state rules for Christmas in 10 days time, yesterday- so around the 16th.

Will you all decide to ignore rules this time- perhpas in view of the No 10 Party.

I am confused about this new variant making it easier this year?!? How?

We won’t be ignoring the rules here, we’ll follow what our government in Wales tells us to do, they are responsive and update regularly as the situation changes.

I now feel free to ignore any instructions on COVID coming from No 10.

I am not going to be stupid. I will make a carefully judged decision on the information available. It will include wearing masks indoors, and not mixing in large crowds, which we do not do anyway.

DS and DDiL, usually both strictly law abiding, have said they are coming down to spend Christmas with us, no matter what, the government says. and I will not be discouraging them.

The evidence to date is that Omicron, is highly infectious but mild with no known hospital admissions or deaths to date, anywhere.

As my daughter and her two girls all have Covid and my MIL is in a coma after a stroke Christmas is cancelled here .I did put the tree up and some decorations around the house for the benefit of the one wee one who we will see on Christmas day before they go to her other granny for dinner.Hoping for a much better year next year but this year for the very first time its dinner for 2

Could I ask, those who have caught it despite 2 jabs and maybe even booster jab. Have they been very ill? Are any of them older people?

Foxglove we caught it after being double jabbed and reasonably careful. We were unwell for about three weeks, like a mild case of flu. We are late 60s/early 70s. Hopefully Omicron won’t be worse.

We will be careful. Some family members do regular LFT for work. I will do a test before people come for Christmas Day. There will just be six here anyway. Fortunately I did not have many things on. I have one outdoor event to attend which is very well organised. I have one friend who cancelled our usual Christmas meet up, so we are meeting in the New Year instead. Everyone is different, some more wary than others but thats ok. People need to do what they are comfortable with.

Foxglove DDiL caught it, despite vaccination, including, I think, the booster jab. She is over 50, but not 'old'. However she has an auto-immune disease (rheumatoid arthritis).

She was unwell and in bed for a week, but was fully recovered by the end of the following week and up and rushing around as ever.

LauraNorderr

We are spending Christmas with son, daughter-in-law, two little ones and dil’s mum.
Daughter-in-law having her final chemo on 14th before having mastectomy after Christmas.
She wants to do this so we’ll all muck in.
We’ll both isolate for a week before and have tests. Important to keep her safe.

Sending a big hug to your DiL, LauraNorderr. I hope the chemo and the operation are not too awful for her. You sound like the very best family she could have.
x

All going ahead as usual. Last year was bleak.
There will be 15of us and fun will be had. ?

All adults will have been triple jabbed so we’ll be going to dd’s house as planned.

Despite 38 countries having the new variant there have been NO deaths according to the WHO. Therefore my Christmas will go ahead a planned with sensible precautions in place. We need to get a grip.

LFT the day before. Immediate family only here.
The younger ones are double jabbed, we are treble jabbed. I’m CEV so will keep rooms ventilated. Unless there’s an increase in risk according to the scientists, we will go ahead.
I’ve found the pandemic ageing ?

paddyann
I'm sorry to hear about your mother in law.
I know you're all very close.

In Germany we have been asked not to travel but so far our plans haven't changed, and DS3 will be coming from Berlin (he seems a bit homesick after 18 months away.) DS2 and family should be coming to stay on Boxing Day. DS1 with family and DH's sister all live near so will come for the odd meal. All 3 boys are really looking forward to going to the woods and cutting and bringing in firewood. They have done this since childhood and now the DGC will be involved too.

I am planning other outdoor activities like a sort of barbecue, so I hope the weather stays nice.

paddyanne54 I do hope your daughter and granddaughters recover from COVID soon, and that there is a positive outcome for your mother-in-law ??

I’m not sure the exact details of Christmas yet as my nearest DD doesn’t know what her father and his partner are doing. The likely hood is that we will get together on Christmas Day.

27th December I’m travelling to Bristol by train to see other DD and grandchildren, returning onNew Year’s Eve. DH will be staying at home. Last year caused huge upset in Bristol so unless the trains are cancelled or I’m ill, I’m going. Last year’s Downing Street party has really upset me so I’m making my own decision.

PaddyAnne,

Our daughter and her family are planning to come to us. If the weather is too bad to travel or there is any illness they may not. We will just have to wait and see when the time comes. Our son spends Christmas with his wife’s family we visit before the holiday. I too have found the stresses associated with the pandemic has changed and aged me.

My husband and I live with my 83 year old Mum. Both she and I have been diagnosed with cancer in the last ten months and are currently undergoing treatment. We have therefore decided for the second Christmas running that we are going to have a quiet one with just the 3 of us, especially as we are now both classed as vulnerable.

So sorry to hear that Sharon. Very best wishes for good outcomes.?