I have flu and I want to cancel Christmas

I had flu a few years ago and simply said that I wouldn't be able to do Christmas.
My husband didn't catch it and went to my son and his wife for a few days and I stayed at home in bed, with a fridge full of ready meals and the microwave.
Once I felt a bit better I had a really relaxing time and have never taken on the whole family Christmas event again. Those of my family who have children are probably relieved not to have to go away, and those who don't can come to stay if they like, but we don't do the huge Christmas performance any more.

Just cancel your arrangements. Flu is contagious so can't imagine anybody wanting to come anyway. In future years just get everybody to book a meal at a pub/hotel or arrange caterers - really daft to keep knocking seven bells out of yourself.

Of course you want a year off!!
But don't play it down, you're not feeling 'poorly ', you've got flu which has really hit you hard. It's all over the news.

Robin202

Then for goodness sake, think of yourselves and take a year off! You have every right to take a break. Christmas is hard work even when you feel fit and well, if you’re unwell, please just contact them all now and say its cancelled and let them sort themselves out -
- and hope you feel better soon

Thank you for the get well wishes! It makes a nice change from 'you can't have flu or you wouldn't be on here'.

It's not just the day itself but all the preparations. I've got no shopping done, no decorations up, the house is not only a muddle but dirty too as my cleaner has been down with the flu too, and is now on holiday. I really do think it's a no-go this year. Husband is still very weak and beginning to concur.

If you both have flu they might not want to come anyway for fear of catching it. If they still want to, let them on the proviso that they do everything, between themselves, including the clearing up!

We hosted Christmas for all our expanding family for many years as we definitely had the most room. But at nearly 80 I feel I’ve done my time and told them we’re not doing it any more. We will squash in our eldest daughter's house who is happy to host. Time to let someone else take over.

fancyflowers I agree with you. Just tell them, no, as you are not up to it! They should come up with this themselves and tell you not to even try. They are adults.

Surely your family will understand...you are both not well. Don't ask them,tell them you are not having anyone over! This is a bad virus. Get well soon.

Say no! Rearrange for a date in the new year! They are old enough to sort themselves out
You just concentrate on getting better and keeping hydrated, warm and rest!
Get a supermarket shop delivered so you can just throw something in the oven or microwave in the day if necessary! Or just eat sandwiches ! You choose but carry no guilt

Katy, TAKE CHRISTMAS OFF !
Re-arrange full Chrismas dinner for late January
Your recovery must take priority.
Either that, or at the very least, assign different dishes to different folk to bring to yours
All the best for a very fast recovery

Be open and honest with everyone…….tell them that you both have the flu but despite this probably clearing up before Christmas it will impact on what you can do because you cannot presently go out shopping etc. Emphasise that you are struggling despite the flu and either suggest they all bring something to put on the table and this year you pass on the full sit down dinner and have a running buffet instead, OR they all stay home, fend for themselves and let you both have a complete rest.

Look after yourselves, be honest explain the reason, they may host it in another house and you can rest, but there's always Easter? I used to have a turkey etc plus Christmas crackers at Easter. Probably will do next Easter as we are moving house in January so not doing much Christmas

Put your big girl pants on and say NO

Cumbrian123

I quite agree , real flu and you wouldn’t be able to post on here.
Probably just a bad cold and you’ll be fine by Xmas.

WT actual F!!!!

I'm getting over it but I was poleaxed for 3 days. Stil in bed. Can't work out why people keep questioning if I have flu or not? Strikes me as a bit disrespectful tbh.

JdotJ

If you truly have the Flu you'll both be flat on your backs, barely able to lift your heads off the pillow.
Plus, why would you want to infect everyone else.

Yes that is how I was a few days ago. My husband was like that for 4 days. I'm still in bed and can't get downstairs, being too weak to get back upstairs again. It's definitely flu. But I'm sure we wont still be contagious in 2 weeks time,

Don’t do it, you could do with getting over the flu, not cater to everyone’s needs.

Cancel.

I quite agree , real flu and you wouldn’t be able to post on here.
Probably just a bad cold and you’ll be fine by Xmas.

Flu can’t be helped. I’d discuss it with the family and either change venue, or change the menu so that it’s possible for everyone to bring a dish and it will make up a nice meal….it could be anything festive….Its not worth getting stressed over as two days later its all forgotten about!! Get well soon.

KatyaStrings

My family always come to ours - there are usually 13 or 14 of us and my house is tiny.

My one daughter lives too far away for us all to go to hers. Another one has a husband and two children in an even smaller house. Our other 4 adult children all live in flats.

Everyone loves coming to ours but we don't get much help and to be perfectly honest it's bit much for me on a good year as I'm not in the best of health. But my husband does help a lot.

So now both of us have the flu and I'm thinking of cancelling the usual arrangement. I know my husband will say 'don't you worry, I'll do everything'. But he's said that before and tbh he forgets half of it. Plus he has been affected even worse than me by this damn virus.

I'm breaking into a cold sweat just thinking about everything there is to do.

I just want a year off.

You should cancel, or tell your adult children that one or other of them is going to have to do the cooking if they all are coming to your place, as neither you nor their father is well enough to do it, and that you, yourself, would prefer just to stay in bed all Christmas!

They are adults and have their own children - they, not you, should be hosting Christmas dinner.

Cancel! It will be reassuring to you when you see that the rest of the family won't fall to bits in your absence. And then in future years you might get invited to theirs instead once they find out how capable they are.

Hear Hear Fried Green Tomatoes.We have done just that this year.
Hope that you and Himself manage to have the best Christmas.💙

Cancel you have the flu! Give them plenty of notice. They will have to shop.

Just
Say
No.

And stick to it.
They can amuse themselves elsewhere.