Are You Having Normal Family Etc Gathering This Christmas?
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With COVID still around, do you feel safe to have normal Christmas get together this year
Can see why, as you want loved ones around at this important time of year Leeann, but worrying that someone might unwittingly spread virus. Probably OK, if none of you are exposed to it in everyday life. Hope all goes well
ivenailedit I have me my husband and my daughter we only have my dad come on Christmas day for his dinner so no nothing will change for me at all
Nope, it will only be those already in the household for us this year.
Usually we have relatives over on Boxing Day, that will not be happening.
Doing the same as you this year blacklabrador, as don’t want to take any chances, as someone in household was shielding last lockdown. Especially, wary as virus is worse in Winter. Hope you have a fab Xmas
ivenailedit And I hope yours is a good one too.
All being well we may do a Christmassy-ish type meal later into the New year when things are better.
I can't bear the thought of being alone for Christmas, and before anyone says it's just one day, no, it isn't, it's 4 days.
So, I will be going to stay with my son, his wife and son, which I believe is allowed.
It is indeed allowed, it sounds sensible to me.
Alas the relatives I talk of are a bunch of idiots, so we cannot be sure they have been careful or sensible before they come to us.
Lynibis, think all those on their own should definitely be allowed to stay with others for Christmas period, especially as a lot would have been shielding for months. It’s only fair & I‘m sure all will be extra careful not to be exposed to virus. Hope you enjoy
blacklabrador after what you’ve said about them, hope your relatives don’t know you’re on LD & your name 
People have definitely been less careful this lockdown
ivenailedit thank you I am sure I will. We talked today and made our plans over the phone. Hope everyone on here has the best time it is possible to have also.
We will have a small Christmas, just me my kids and their dad. but to be honest if it weren't for my kids I wouldn't be celebrating at all, not sure about Boxing Day this year. The only family I have is my mum who suffers with Psychosis and my kids. I usually celebrate with close friends who are like family to me but i doubt that will happen this year. My heart breaks for the people who will have to spend it alone
Think a lot of people only celebrate Xmas because of the kids. Horrible as it is, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Definitely, think those on their own should be allowed to be with others. Hope you enjoy EmmaDare
Please don't break your heart over everyone who spends Christmas on their own, many of us will be thinking of those not on their own. . . wishing they were on their own. I personally have had some great Christmases on my own. I don't know what all the fuss is about, this Christmas might be even better much less chance of getting infected than many who find the "weak link" in their gatherings, who might find the next family gathering is at a funeral.
As for "Boxing Day" many funeral directors are planning to have theirs in late January
davidstockport your comment reminds us to think about all scenarios. So true about many preferring to be alone, rather than for example being abused, which is on the rise. I personally know someone who prefers to spend Xmas alone, no other reason than doesn’t agree with all the fuss. Poor funeral directors, talk about busy. Enjoy your Xmas
Dennab just read an article about how it’s affecting children & the teachers are first to notice the signs of abuse etc. A lot more children are also now homeschooled, so no check
I am sorry but we are doing our normal Christmas, me and husband, 3 daughters and 3 grandsons, then at the night, my sisters will be joining us also! The past 3 Christmases we have spent with me fighting cancer twice, so this is the year we don’t have cancer looming over us....... we have covid looming I know, and I also know I am probably more vulnerable, but I love Christmas, I love my family and I want a Happy Christmas this year!
I know I will anger some people here, but for the past 3 years I have had illness dictating what I can and can’t do! Please try to understand before judging xxxxxx 
I am not going to judge as each of your guests will be aware of the risk they are taking and therefore assume they are prepared for any consequences. I hope you have a lovely time and there are no consequences.
MandeeMayson, both yours & davidstockport’s comments have reminded us to think deeper. I can truly understand how you feel & am so glad to hear you’re free of cancer. I have someone in household who’s in vulnerable group, so will not be taking any chances. However, saying that our past Christmas‘ were normal, whereas you were ill. Hope this Xmas is extra special for you
MandeeMayson I think my only response is be careful... The last thing you want is to become really ill for a few days of happiness. I hope you manage to do it safely.
we will be missing out on the larger get togethers, particularly with friends, but it won’t be forever 
Are you going to have a change of heart, now that you’ve seen the briefing today hspexy?
ivenailedit unfortunately it’s not down to me. I’ve got relatives who are vulnerable, so they’ve shielded all year now, and a few were away before this happened, and so they’ve stayed away. It’s a shame, but it is what it is. We are fortunate that there are still ways to stay in touch
hspexy oh I see, to be honest it‘s for the best, as much too early to throw caution to the wind, which unfortunately some probably will. Hope you enjoy
ivenailedit thanks. I’m more than happy to see people who are not at risk, but there are lots of people who are very afraid
hspexy don’t blame them as so easy to get complacent about virus, but judging by number of deaths yesterday it’s getting worse
ivenailedit no, I definitely don’t. People ought to deal and handle things on their own accord, and whatever they need to do to cope, that’s up to them. I learnt a long time ago that people are different, and differences are indeed what make life colourful and interesting
hspexy very wise words, as reading these comments makes you realise that everyone has different needs etc
No, not going to put myself or family members at risk for one day. Will drop presents off and video chat instead 
Think very sensible lornaae & doing same here, as said above. Will seem so strange not giving little ones their presents the usual way. Hope you enjoy
I won't be as a lot of my family live abroad and they can't come down on a plane because of covid
Such a shame Moonstone22 as Christmas is the one time of year where families far & wide usually get together. Hope you enjoy
ivenailedit I agree with you, it was such a lovely December last year with all my family together. And thank you, I have made more of an effort this year to make Christmas more special for the family I do have around in the UK. I hope you enjoy Christmas too x
3 households but my mum had a transplant and my grandad has copd so me & my partner will isolate for the 2 weeks leading up to Christmas to protect them.
Very sensible Leesha86, hoping that others will follow your lead, but not holding my breath. At least your family will be safe. Hope you enjoy
No we won't be doing our normal Christmas gatherings. My husband works in a school, finishes on the 22nd, so I don't want to risk passing it on to family. We will do a video chat in the afternoon so we can all see each other but I'm not travelling up to the highlands or over to Northern Ireland. I am not risking my parents or Granny getting it or risking my son getting it.
For us Christmas is just one day and we've had to isolate over Christmas before to kept our son safe, so I have no problem doing it again.
It’s so tough hearing all these stories MrsCraig, brings it home just how much illness has a serious impact on families & COVID makes it all worse. Hope you enjoy
ivenailedit I can completely understand the people that want to spend Christmas with family, some of them due to illness but I just couldn't forgive myself if I passed it to my parents, Granny or in laws just so I could see them for one day.
As much as I want a normal xmas i don't feel it will be. Parents would like people round (family) but where I'm in a customer facing role in don't want to risk passing on something (I don't feel I have it) especially to my grandad. Could never forgive myself should anything happen from it.have suggested we can do something later in the year when it may be safe to do so
ch7leach, blacklabrador also suggested the same thing & sounds like a great idea to postpone meeting up until things are safer, whenever that my be. Hope you enjoy
Last year, because my youngest grown up daughter wanted to spend Xmas with her partners family, we did a Christmas Eve buffet instead. Think we'll be doing something similar again this year but may do Xmas dinner instead and me and hubby can heat up the leftovers on Xmas day....no cooking on the day and 2 Xmas dinners....what's not to like 
Now that’s a novelty k4ren2006, I’m all for no cooking on Xmas Day, just pure relaxation 
Hope you enjoy
We don't have any family so dosnt affect us but heard a lot of people saying they are going to see family regardless of the consequences
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