Well That’s Christmas Cancelled For Us

Yes. Unfortunately it happens.

Yup, spoke to my son yesterday. His wife tested positive with her go to work on Monday test. Getting a PCR today. He hasn’t had the booster yet either, though she has.

Just waiting for the other son to test positive really☹️

However, as long we can meet up after Christmas it’s fine.

Much the same here! Plan was to gather in the Midlands but local DD1 and SIL both have covid quite mild so far thankfully. DS, partner and baby also now positive. Seems they feel awful for one day then, so far have picked up quite quickly.

Current plan is for us to test this week then go to north to visit DD2.

It’s like Groundhog Day.
This time last year I was reconciling myself to Christmas alone because my eldest GS had tested positive and regs did not permit visiting either of the other daughters and their little boys for Christmas.
Commiserations.
Maybe you can do a postponed family Christmas in January though, wishing your family a speedy recovery.

No, it's not cancelled. Make the day special, favourite food and drink. Buy each other an extra pressie. Put the favourite films or music on.

The day will be what you make it and you can make it anything you like

A Parliamentary meeting at 2pm so expect the worst I'd say.
Can't be helped if we all wish to stay well. There'll be many cancelled gatherings but-----other times ahead.

EllanVannin

A Parliamentary meeting at 2pm so expect the worst I'd say.
Can't be helped if we all wish to stay well. There'll be many cancelled gatherings but-----other times ahead.

other times ahead.

... not for me. My son has arrived from South Africa and is isolating in a different part of the country just to be safe before taking a PCR test prior to visiting (he also tested before departure).

If I don't get to see him - now that he's actually here (he cancelled the first planned visit when SA was on the red list) it might be 2/3 years before I am able to see him again and, as I am rather poorly at the moment with complex health issues, I might not ever see him again. Not being maudlin, just realistic.

My partner is disabled and my son is here to help out with hospital / doctor visits, etc.

I desperately want to see him. Not really because it's Christmas, but simply to take the only opportunity I might have.

VioletSky

No, it's not cancelled. Make the day special, favourite food and drink. Buy each other an extra pressie. Put the favourite films or music on.

The day will be what you make it and you can make it anything you like

Even on my own, going to daughters for Christmas, if things go pear shaped this week, have to go out more than I have been, I’m well prepared, and feel as you do.

Not yet, but I’m prepared for it. We’re supposed to be going to a dd with 3 little Gdcs, but there will also be son in law’s parents coming for the first time, plus dd2 and partner.

Sister and CEV BiL changed plans after hearing that there were going to be several extra guests at their son’s house on the day. So they’re now going to stay Christmas Eve night, as planned, and see the family in the morning, but leave before the hordes arrive.

I try not to let the thought of Christmas Day plans coming to naught upset me. Or rather, whenever I do, I think of a friend whose dh died very suddenly and unexpectedly late on Christmas Eve night last year. He was only in his 60s. ?
Having to postpone a family get together would be a fleabite by comparison.

Dickens I hope you get to have a lovely time with your son and make the most of every moment.

EllanVannin

A Parliamentary meeting at 2pm so expect the worst I'd say.
Can't be helped if we all wish to stay well. There'll be many cancelled gatherings but-----other times ahead.

EV you're just like The Christmas Fairy....and, bless you, we all need one of those. After all the problems that have beset you, all the time spent alone and separated from friends and family, all the problems with your health and the vaccine, you finally come back to Gransnet and you're STILL making the best of everything, still making us smile, still with a positive take on life! .

You're more than a trouper, you're an inspiration!

Sending you distant hugs and wishes for the very best Christmas, whatever the Parliamentary decisions and whatever you are able to do. We all have to make the best of things, no choice. So, with big girl pants pulled up, let's all make this Christmas (whenever we get to celebrate it) one to remember.

We were due to have our family get together on Saturday 18th but DGD and SiL tested positive early last week. It is also unlikely our boxing day plans will happen.

So far, of our family and friends that have got/had any of the covid variants, no one has been so ill that they've need hospitalisation so we are being very thankful.

SiL was due his booster on Friday 17th so DD1 took that appointment and SiL will have to have his whenever he can once he's better.

We are keeping our fingers crossed that they can get to his Mum's at some point over the holidays as she is on her own and no longer drives. When they see her it's an over night stay at the very least so she doesn't get to see them often and now the only family she has SiL, DGD, DD and a sister.

I feel very sad for anyone on their own who has been looking forward to seeing family and/or friends where that is either cancelled or in doubt, it's never easy especially at this time of year.

Josieann

Dickens I hope you get to have a lovely time with your son and make the most of every moment.

Thank you Josieann ... we intend to just drink tea (and wine!), relax and catch up!

Dickens I do so hope you see your son this Christmas. Hoping you have a very special time together.

Last year, the family Christmas was obviously cancelled and DH, also was in hospital very ill. He had a had a heart bypass operation and he was critically ill with an antibiotic resistance infection the hospital had given him.My only company was DD, who is in our bubble.

We decided that as a family of Christmas lovers it was up to us to keep our end up, so the house was decorated as usual and the food was cooked and presented as normal, including the 7kg turkey I had ordered in October. In fact everything went ahead as we are accustomed. Obviously we were worried about DH, but, while it was not our best Christmas ever, it could have been much worse.

We told DH as much as we could and he was glad he wasn't the cause of us not having a normal Christmas.

So to all those suddenly in a diminished household. make the best of it, it can be done, those who cannot be with you do not want the burden of knowing that their absence ruins everything for you hangng over them.

Thank you for your responses. I know I was exaggerating when I said Christmas was cancelled. I will still be with DH, we’ll have a few pressies, a lovely Christmas dinner, relax at home and we will FaceTime our family. We will, however, be looking forward to a ‘Christmas Day’ in January (fingers crossed).
Dickens hoping you get to see your son and enjoy your time together.

So to all those suddenly in a diminished household. make the best of it, it can be done, those who cannot be with you do not want the burden of knowing that their absence ruins everything for you hangng over them
Of course it can be done , but not a lot of use telling a lately departed husband that his absence has “ruined everything”,
Nobody is suggesting blaming anybody in the way you mention, but all those who do still have a husband or indeed AC close enough to see might do well to think on.
Even when my late DH was in hospital with Lymphoma 13 years ago I was able to be with 2 of my daughters.
Total isolation is something else altogether.
Please God it doesn’t come to that for any of us.

Three people we know have died, two of them unexpectedly, in the last fortnight and I got a message yesterday to say that a relative had died so as long as we're safe, warm and well that's all that matters.

It does feel like Groundhog Day and we all hoped this would be in the past by now but it's not and we have to make the best of it.

Dickens I hope you manage to see your son

Calistemon
That’s awful.
Lots of commentators are saying that it’s going to be lockdown on the 27th at level 2.

I heard that some UK visitors were sent straight back to UK from Limoges Airport the other day. Not allowed into France. Very sad for families waiting for them at the airport.

One of my grandchildren has covid. He’s fine, but now won’t be having everyone on Boxing Day, as they have to isolate until the 28th. We’ll just do it another day. It doesn’t really matter.

Isn’t there a broadcast tonight about possible new restrictions? This could all be academic?

Calistemon

Dickens I hope you manage to see your son

Thank you.

Now that he is actually here (but isolating just to be on the safe side) the wait is almost unbearable.

But - I am alive, and virus free. Others have not been so lucky. And my thoughts are with those who have lost loved-ones.

Judging by the the majority of comments on this thread, the country would be in a much better place if it was run by GN'ers.

People making the best of it, trying to be careful - being mindful of others... above all, being sensible. Not moaning or groaning, just being practical, pragmatic and thoughtful.

Christmas cannot be cancelled. Christmas is a day to spend as you wish - for many it is a day for church and God, for others it is for spending time with family, for others it is for over-indulging and opening unwanted presents.

Wherever you are, whoever you are with - it can be celebrated. Of course some of us can't be where we would prefer to be. But life doesn't always give us that. Just give thanks for what we have - which is a lot better than many in this world have.