Starting to feel really stressed and would appreciate some advice

If they don’t want to, I recommend removing yourself if you can.

That'd reduce your own risk but there's still the chance that DH could get infected from family and then the risk of passing it on to you.

Why are selfish people being tolerated and allowed to dictate what happens, in so many situations?

You shouldn’t feel awkward about insisting. They may not be your family directly, but it is your life which could be at risk. Many people are catching covid even after triple vaccinations, and being seriously ill.

Of course they should all take tests before seeing you, they should anyway, regardless of people flying in from Thailand.

If they don’t want to, I recommend removing yourself if you can. Sounds drastic, but this isn’t a joke.

I think everyone is advised to do lateral flow tests before meeting up. Is that not the advice?

I don't think you are being paranoid or asking too much by asking people to take LFT.
My husband and l followed the rules last Christmas and stayed home even though our son and only granddaughter lives 5 minute's away. Every one who stayed on their own do not want hear from people who didn't.
We should listen to the scientists not this bonkers government.

I think taking LFTs before meeting up with others is sensible.
Scientist on BBC website said that unless you live like a hermit you will encounter
Omicron as it's so infectious.

Get them to do a test and ask that they minimise contacts before they come. As to people posting on here that they broke the law last Christmas and go away with it, well good for you. It was because of this attitude that we saw the January spike and all that went with it. If everyone had taken your attitude then it would have been much worse. Others have taken your hit.

Someone said that the family were tested before travelling to the uk but days after and a long haul flight is fraught with danger given proximity of passengers who may still be harbouring the strain.
We have been very cautious and put life on hold. No holiday since 2019 with Christmas and the holiday period alone last year so am not amused by those who thought they could carry on as usual, especially those who made the rules. Hypocrites all.

I agree with CrazyH too. If you're going to be 12 in the house, no harm in asking people to do a test but don't make a song and dance about it if they forget.

You broke the rules. Don’t try to pretend you’re any different to Boris just because you’ve admitted on here that you did so. All the criticism has been focused on gatherings taking place when they were prohibited - exactly what you did.

OP, I personally think you are being paranoid. You can't, or perhaps you can, keep on living this way. Covid will keep on mutating and at some point we are all going to catch it in one form or another. The vaccinations are doing a fantastic job and we have to start living a normal life again.

GSMI am not a hypocrite as I never pretended or lied unlike the PM.
I criticise them for their lies.

Just do the LFT and then enjoy. Don’t let it spoil this Christmas as well.

Post what you like Sago but be prepared for people who stuck to the rules and spent Christmas alone to be angry with you and if I see you criticising whatever happened at No 10 I will publicly call you out as a hypocrite.

To those who broke rules or took risks, you were lucky. It could have been a very different story.
My DD and GC are coming for Christmas. I have booked them into a hotel 5 minutes from us. Everyone prefers that. And we will all do LFTs. It's all about minimising risk and still having a life. And of course helping our overburdened NHS.

GSM I will post whatever I wish on whatever thread I wish. I believe we still have freedom of speech.

Sago

CrazyH I agree with you too.
We have to start living a normal life, to totally avoid COVID we will live half a life at best.
Last Christmas we had our daughter, SIL and grandchildren to stay ( against the rules) we all did a test beforehand.
I am so glad we did.

While I feel a “normal life” is desirable, your posts depresses me.
Unlike you, I stuck to the rules and did not go to London to spend Christmas Day with either of my younger daughters and their families. I had been “bubbled” with eldest D but there was no question of going to them when eldest GS tested positive just before Christmas.
Christmas alone when you are fairly recently widowed has few redeeming features, it was miserable despite trying to pin on a smile on FaceTimes and Zoom. Thinking that the rest of the country were sticking to the rules was as close to consolation as I could get - so I’d rather not have known at the time that they all behaved like you.

I don’t see it as draconian rules , but as how to keep safe , I don’t think anyone who is trying not to be in the company of travellers is paranoid , they are keeping safe .
We shouldn’t think how to bend the rules , how to be “ clever “ or carry on regardless , the only way to beat this virus is to break the chain of infection
Do the LFT keep a distance , ventilate and keep up the hand washing
I go essential shopping, wear my mask, sanitise and wash my hands
I have been for a meal in a well spaced venue , but didn’t linger

I have to agree with crazyH too. I was talking to my next door neighbour this morning who is full of a cold and coughing for England. She's had umpteen tests----all negative but has been so ill. I've actually heard her coughing at night too and she's is having to go to hospital next week for a procedure ( longstanding problem )

The poor woman has had all her vacs. including booster and a 'flu jab. The thing is that she hadn't been anywhere to catch this ?
With that, I came indoors and had another cup of tea and a cig

To OP: yes I would ask them all to do tests. It’s not unreasonable especially given how quickly the latest variant spreads, and probably not everyone at the party will be fully vaccinated.

I’m disappointed to hear what you did Sago. We followed the rules and didn’t see family last Christmas. I hope I don’t see you on the threads about parties at No 10.

Not sure how old you are but could you phone round and ask them to do a LFT to keep their father/grandad safe? Doesn't seem much to ask really. The incident with the collection and delivery to a hotel by family members shows the general confusion that goes on in people's minds and the different levels of risk people are prepared to take, it seems to vary hugely.

We've just had GDs for a sleepover and they did Lateral flow tests before they came. They are aged 9 and 5 and it's something they are very used to doing

I would be happy to have a family gathering if everyone had tested first

Lateral flow tests are quick and easy to do. We all did them a few days ago, before a family meet up. I’d be happy with that, TBH.

If you try to live a normal life at present you increase your chances of dying a normal death, and extending the infection to others.

They should get themselves tested, and you are right to ask them to do so.