Christmas plans

[Gemini]

Do you have any?

In England at least we are freer than we were last Christmas. No restrictions on how many we can see. Just advice on ventilation etc.

I will visit my mum on Christmas morning and spend the time with her until she has her lunch. OH will be with me. We will then go to DD2's for the day. SIL's parents will be there too.

Boxing Day we are hosting a family buffet.

On 29th my mum is coming for a while and DD and GS1 as well.

We are hosting our usual (apart from last year) New Years Eve do. There will be 10 of us if all come.
That's it I think!

[Daisy]

After all the uncertainties of last year, I'm hoping our plans work this year.

On Christmas Eve DS1, DIL and the GSs, plus dog are coming down and staying overnight. Christmas Day we'll be joined by DS2, DIL2, GDs and dog, and possibly either or both of DIL2's parents, just for the day. DS1 & Co will go home first thing Boxing Day as DIL1's family are going to them for the day. We shall have a day of relaxing and eating too much, probably. The following day we're going to GD2's birthday party. Then New Year's Eve we're going to friends' for dinner - a group of us have been getting together on NYE for over 30 years and take it in turn to host it.

We were hoping to see some of OH's family who are in the area, but it's impossible to squeeze everything in in the time they are here.

[Plantaholic]

Oh that sounds very busy but fun Daisy.

I will be next door with the family, some popping in to open presents and there will be 7 of us for lunch.

[Oma]

We along with MIL and SIL's parents will be at DD's for Christmas day , 8 all together ,
We are meeting with MIL ,Martin & Clare on the 20th for a meal out together .
We also out next week with SIL's parents for tea , we always have a Pre Christmas get together , to be honest any excuse for us 4 to get together

Same with M & C any chance we can get

[Nanto2girls]

No set plans for us,will just go with the flow.

[Mimi]

I think we have Christmas sorted but what with plan B and perhaps who knows what Boris ( there was no party ) Johnson's track record for changing plans at the last minute I am not holding my breath.
Eldest DS is working Christmas day and Boxing day so he is coming to us Christmas eve so I will be cooking Christmas dinner/ lunch then . We are having chicken but with all the trimmings .
Christmas day we are going to younger DS and DIL's where we will eat another Christmas dinner/ lunch. Two eldest GC will be there also .

On the 28th DD, SIL and youngest GC are coming up from Wales and younger DS and DIL will also be here . Not quite ALL my family together but sadly that's as good as it is ever going to get .

[Daisy]

Mimi, so many things make it hard for families to be together at any time, let alone at Christmas. As you say, with Plan B anything could happen, but I do hope you get to see and spend some time with all your family. xx

[Gemini]

My gut feeling regarding Plan B, is that Boris dare not and will not impose sanctions on us in our own homes this year.
I think advising is all they will do, regarding mingling and numbers in private homes.

I don't know many who will obey if we are told now who we can or can't see to be frank.

[Oma]

Gem I agree , no matter we will be together , we did last year so don't see any change this year .

[Plantaholic]

If he can I think he is holding off until New Year., in spite of all the pressures the scientists are imposing on him.

[Daisy]

Plant - yes, lots of warning about a tidal wave of Omicron in January.

[Plantaholic]

Just watched a news flash, I thought oh dear he is going to stop Christmas gatherings but he announced that they are going to step up the booster jabs. I think he is going to close us down in Jan if the forecast is still bad.

[Gemini]

My DD and SIL 2 both brought their January boosters forward and had them yesterday. DD1 has hers next week.

[Gemini]

I'm not being pessimistic, but there is a real chance that anyone's plans for Christmas or New Year could scuppered by someone testing covid positive and having to isolate.

In the light of this , in case we can't go to DDs we are going to buy a chicken and put it in the freezer.
We have just about everything else we need for a nice Christmas, it's just missing the meat.

All being well the chicken will stay in the freezer for another time, but if we do find ourselves at home, we will cook it.

[Daisy]

Gem - that horrible possibility has dawned on me today. Anyone of us could test positive which would upset all our plans. I've got a large joint of brisket in the freezer. DS2 is supplying the turkey, so if for any reason they can't come we will at least have a decent meal. We will have everything else already in.

Positive tests from now on are going to be bad news for most people's plans. Such a lot of people are cancelling arrangements now, and I can quite understand why, even without any particularly vulnerable people in their families. We all want as normal a Christmas as possible, especially after last year.