So, who is going out in the run up to the 25th. ?

Am seeing my ds and dgd, next week, instead of staying for a week as planned, it will be 1 overnight stay, and we're geting together as he's in the army and I haven't seen him for months, my DD who's was going to be here for new year we cancelled, we live in different parts of the country.

i've not cancelled anything and i'm not going to either.
two christmas lunches done and they were both in busy restaurants.
i've got a coffee morning on tuesday and possibly another meet up on thursday.
friday - christmas eve - i've got a visit to the nail bar, a visit to the haurdresser and the supermarket. and that's probably it.

We were going to DD and partner in their new home for Christmas 250 miles away but she tested positive for omicron yesterday so all off. Staring at sad pile of presents in the corner. But we had started to wonder if wise anyway, as had she. Commuting by overground and tube and working in a university, it was only a matter of time before she got it. Booster was booked for tomorrow. So far, is no iller than a “normal” cold, mercifully.

My DH and I have cancelled everything until Christmas Eve when we are due to go to our daughter’s to stay. It will be our first Christmas with our GC born in 2020. We are prepared to do what it takes to make sure we can do this and will all take lateral flow tests before we go. Our DD and SIL have also cancelled all other plans in the run up to Christmas.

Just a small family meeting to exchange gifts on Sunday and all will do LFTs before going. I have done all except food shopping on line, and tested each time I have gone out for the 1 meeting I have done this month for coffee with my sisters and to an open air event at start of the month. My husband won't be going to the present exchange I'm afraid he has become frightened of life in case it kills him, frightened to go out and very adverse to me going through the front door for anything. I have to take the car for MOT on Monday, and I suspect he will be worried about that. This blasted virus has a lot to answer for.

Our extended family were all due to spend a few days together over Christmas but one of my daughters (unmarried, London) has just tested positive and won't be able to come. My 93 year old dad has just returned from a Turkey and Tinsel holiday with lots of dancing. He'll also be with us but I'm a bit uneasy about it because his idea of social distancing is a couple of laps around the dance floor with a new woman from Wales...?

I’m going to a party on Sunday night and really excited. Some people have dropped out but the majority are still coming along. I’ve had my booster and plan to be sensible (no hugging) but refuse to put my life on hold any longer.

The only time I’m meeting with friends is tomorrow evenings Strictly Final dinner party at mine. 6 of us, all fully vaccinated and LFTs and after. Oh, and Strictly masks! I’ve found full-face cardboard masks of Shirley, Motsi, Craig, Anton and the 2 presenters. C’mon Rose!

Advised to be very careful anyway as I’m CEV. Going for a small procedure at our local hospital early next week so isolating and doing LFTs until then - probably won’t be going anywhere before Christmas now.

We don't go out much as hubby and I are so busy we enjoy being at home. Have plans, very limited, and am sticking to them. The hospitality and events industries have been hammered by restrictions; first to be closed, last to reopen. You should be able to make your own decisions on what you feel comfortable doing.

I feel rather like you Aveline, the trees and other decorations are cruel reminders of a second family Christmas get together cancelled, albeit by ‘choice’.

We have backed out of a dinner dance tonight. Apparently only 26 people now going but we didn't want to take the risk with v elderly parents to consider. Were 8 of us going 4 still are and one couple not speaking to the 4 who backed out as they are so disappointed

Dog walks and late night trips to my local shop for milk, etc, that's it. I cancelled a lunch and also asked another, friend who was coming on Saturday night, could we give it a miss. I knew by his voice that he thought I was being an idiot, but he's never in and has everyone at his house. His daughter and grandkids have had Covid lately and don't wear masks, nothing. I'm taking no chances.

Going to have son and DIL tonight at home for dinner, friends tomorrow night at their house for dinner. We're all doing LFT before we meet. Christmas will be here for 10 of us. Again all testing. Avoiding socialising without everyone testing. Covid seems to be everywhere, albeit the new strain seems more like a short live bad cold.

Going for our boosters together today, but cancelled other family. DIL is 6 months pregnant and both she and my son have recently had Covid, even with 2 Pfizers. He was so ill on the phone, breathless. Thankfully DIL and bump are fine now.
I appreciate that he's disappointed, but I'm thinking of them, and they have lots of family where they are. I need to learn to Skype.

DS is 50 tomorrow and we are going to a restaurant for a family lunch. DIL has asked for a private room as it is going to be emotional, first family gathering without DH.
I am hoping we will be okay but apparently there are a lot of cases at GDs' school.

Will take sensible precautions, but will be going out for dinner tomorrow evening as planned.

We had so many plans including DDs 40th party and all sorts of associated shenanigans. All off now due to two little lines on a test.
We'll not be the only ones in a similar state of suspended social animation I suspect. I actually feel like taking down the Christmas tree right now instead of trying to have a pale version of what we might have been doing.

My sister is staying with me from the US so that she can visit my mum in her care home ( first visit in over two years) and spend Christmas with me. So far we have not cancelled any of our plans, most of which are outdoors anyway.

We went shopping yesterday to John Lewis in Cheadle and the staff there said how quiet it was in the run up to Christmas, even the cafe had empty tables! Today is a visit to the Christmas Market in Manchester then a meal at a restaurant where we’re will be sitting in an open tent - with heaters luckily as it’s frosty today!

We have one other meal planned in an Indian Restaurant on Monday, we chose to go on a Monday knowing it was usually quiet then. We are still going but suspect that it will be half empty after some cancellations. We are all doing LFTs every day that we go somewhere to protect others and obviously wearing masks and keeping our distance from non family members.

I am a little anxious but we’ve all agreed that it’s best to carry on even if it risks our Christmas Day plans because my sister has come such a long way and every day is a special day.

My annual Christmas treat is to take my family to the pantomime. I bought 8 tickets for last year's performance which was cancelled and the ticket were transferred to this year. We are going on Sunday afternoon, come hell or high water. All of us except for the 3 youngest (9,8 & & 7) are fully jabbed and we will be wearing face masks throughout. I am not prepared to have my life limited by the anti-vax brigade.

I will do all I can not to add to her burden hazel. I’m amazed how many people seem to be just carrying on as usual. There’s such a thing as being sensible and (literally) continuing to have a life.

Well, a few differences of opinion it would seem !
Although I totally agree we cannot continue to live in some kind of vaccuum it is very uplifting to see how many are following all the rules. Sorry if that sounds patronising !
If you could have seen my DIL having worked in A and E for 18 hours , doing her best as a Doctor and 4 months pregnant it broke my heart. She was more than shattered but also angry that new cases were consistently unvaccinated.
Rant over !

Several Carol Services in our area have been cancelled.

We are meeting DS, DDiL and 2 DGDs for lunch in a pub and present exchange on Sunday and are all going to do LFTs before (and after). The four adults are all triple jabbed and the girls have had two jabs. We shall wear masks as appropriate but we really need to see our family after the difficult eighteen months we have had with DH's surgeries.

It does all feel a bit of a 1984-scenario. Surely we need to learn to accept that, like 'flu, this virus is going to keep mutating and keep recurring. Living life like timid rabbits is not a real life. There is not going to be a day when it is announced that it has all gone away, all restrictions are lifted and life is back to pre-pandemic norms.

I’m going out for Christmas lunch with a dear friend today. We’re meeting in a popular restaurant in the city centre. She’s a senior nurse and also clinically vulnerable and I would have understood if she had cancelled but she hasn’t so we’re going.