A Christmas with a difference?

PhilOssophy · 27-10-2020 7:52pm #1

I love Christmas, I see people I don't see all year round, love the over-indulgence.
But I'm also looking forward to a different Christmas this year. I suspect this Christmas will be a lot calmer, a lot less stressful, without the office Christmas Party (to me, the only part of Christmas I don't like).
What is Christmas 2020 going to look like and are people looking forward to it?

sentient_6 · 27-10-2020 7:58pm

I'm 100% looking forward to a calmer less hectic Christmas this year. My favourite part is usually hanging out at home doing nothing so more of that please.

StefanFal · 27-10-2020 8:00pm

I'm hoping all the pubs will stay closed this year and we can all spend more time with our families.

Seamai · 27-10-2020 8:10pm

My goal has always been for a quiet and stress free Christmas. Regardless of what measures are in place over the festive period I don't anticipate me being in too many bars or restaurants. Lost my job during the summer so no dreaded staff party. My OH gets a good long break so plenty of time to do a bit of hill walking. No kids in the picture which makes it easier. Other than possibly my mum and brother on Christmas day that will be about it.

eviltwin · 27-10-2020 8:12pm

I’m looking forward to not going to anything. No parties, pantos, visits to people’s home, going round shop after shop.

I’m hoping it will be much more relaxing this year.

Spanish Eyes · 27-10-2020 8:16pm

Feel for those abroad who might not get home, and those on their own.

Otherwise it's business as usual for us. Have to be resilient and get on with things best you can. Our family is very close TG but we do our own thing by meeting up in our houses on a rota in the morning and then going our own way. Works perfectly for us. Probably not happening this year but we will survive.

Not having to socialise for days on end either with colleagues or friends is bliss. Others of a different personality may not agree!

gigantic09 · 27-10-2020 8:17pm

Hoping the pubs will be open, have enough quiet time the last 7 months to last a lifetime.

Spanish Eyes · 27-10-2020 8:21pm

gigantic09 wrote: »

Hoping the pubs will be open, have enough quiet time the last 7 months to last a lifetime.

Outdoors in yer terminals might happen

jrosen · 27-10-2020 8:22pm

Ill miss my girls dinner night out, I also love my night out with work pals. But as for Christmas Eve and day, it wont much different for us.
We will have our morning, a long walk with the dog and then a relaxed day full of food, christmas movies and games with our kids. We had started to spend our christmas at home prior to this year.

We usually visit family but who knows if that will go ahead.

Bassfish · 27-10-2020 8:34pm

It will definitely be different but it has the potential to be a great one! Took my three year old fella to Woodies yesterday and he couldn't contain himself when he saw the Christmas display, all excited that santa would come to his house. We have the kids' presents sorted so we don't need much else. Some nice food, movies, boardgames, drop of nice whisky and that'll do fine! Two small kids at home so nights out weren't on the cards anyway.
Having said all that, it's nice to be able to look forward to it and to still have a job to pay for it! Others not so lucky. Will try to shop local and buy Irish when we can.

Deja Boo · 27-10-2020 8:46pm

Hopefully a longer season of reflective enjoyment. Every year, Christmas seems to pass by in a flash - so fast, it feels like I missed it.

Tree'll be up early this year ...for more cozy nights by fairy lights

Sunrise_Sunset · 27-10-2020 9:40pm

As an introvert with some social anxiety, I admit that I am really looking forward to this Christmas. I don't enjoy visiting extended family and in laws etc. I love spending time with my own little family. And I'll get to do that this year. However, I know that my hubby will miss some parts of our usual Christmas, so I feel bad for him. The kids will probably miss visiting grandparents and opening pressies but they get bored after an hour or so anyway, and there's no cousins around to play with as they are either grown up/living abroad/visiting relatives in home country (although the last one might not be possible this year).

Loughc · 27-10-2020 9:57pm

This exact topic was on BBC4 radio today. Might be worth a listen.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000nv3d

[Deleted User] · 27-10-2020 10:05pm

After the breakdown of my first marriage, I decided that Christmas was myself and my children. Their father had fled the scene, but he would have been made welcome. Our first Christmas as a trio was one of the best ever. No more stress, drunkenness, demanding in laws. Just ourselves. I went a bit overboard with the stocking fillers, made a rod for my own back, as it’s still expected now 30 years on! When my current husband came on the scene, I was a bit nervous, but we’ve kept to our new tradition. Just ourselves. The kids come home Christmas morning to open their presents and leave after dinner. It works for us. What will happen when grandkids come along, I don’t know, but one thing is for certain, I won’t put pressure on my kids to stick to our usual Christmas. Things change. Family dynamics change.

TK Lemon · 27-10-2020 10:35pm

I work in retail and we reopen 1st December (as far as we all know). :P

I’m hoping that for once, we will be closed on the 24-26th of December at least...

It’s going to be a crazy 3 weeks on the lead up to Christmas... just to have the 25th December off. It feels unfair that we could be open on the 26th for sales etc. Can people just not stay at home and give staff a day off to spend with their families....

Maybe perhaps this year.. everything will be different.

[Deleted User] · 27-10-2020 10:53pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

After the breakdown of my first marriage, I decided that Christmas was myself and my children. Their father had fled the scene, but he would have been made welcome. Our first Christmas as a trio was one of the best ever. No more stress, drunkenness, demanding in laws. Just ourselves. I went a bit overboard with the stocking fillers, made a rod for my own back, as it’s still expected now 30 years on! When my current husband came on the scene, I was a bit nervous, but we’ve kept to our new tradition. Just ourselves. The kids come home Christmas morning to open their presents and leave after dinner. It works for us. What will happen when grandkids come along, I don’t know, but one thing is for certain, I won’t put pressure on my kids to stick to our usual Christmas. Things change. Family dynamics change.

Your Christmas sounds lovely

I prefer cozy and peaceful myself.

[Deleted User] · 27-10-2020 11:03pm

Eskie wrote: »

Your Christmas sounds lovely I prefer cozy and peaceful myself.

It is. I’d advise anyone to avoid the big family do!

Posy · 28-10-2020 12:28am

TK Lemon wrote: »

It’s going to be a crazy 3 weeks on the lead up to Christmas... just to have the 25th December off. It feels unfair that we could be open on the 26th for sales etc.

When most shops used to close every Sunday back in the eighties/nineties, people somehow struggled on!

I have always thought it was very unfair on staff to close Christmas Eve, only to be back in on Stephen's morning. (I'm looking at you, Next.) I am actually surprised that so many retailers still open on the 26th December, when they can start the sales online. If I wanted to shop on Stephen's Day (I definitely don't!) I would just do it online from the comfort of my own home.

I guess the main difference for me this year won't be having a big work Christmas party bash, which I will miss- although I'm not terribly extroverted, the work do and a few after work drinks around Christmas are usually something that I enjoy.
I always go to a Christmas concert, and that's knocked on the head, too, of course. And I try to get to a Christmas market- which is in doubt.

I have some time off work at the beginning of December (can I go outside then? :pac: ) so fingers crossed I can get my hair done for Christmas, for my big month of going nowhere!

I am going to try and just enjoy the month no matter what- long walks with the dog, looking at people's decorations as I pass, Christmas films, hot chocolates, maybe a Christmas jigsaw to relax.

It will be a slower paced Christmas for most this year, and I won't be complaining about it.

freshpopcorn · 28-10-2020 1:01am

It will have it high and low points to be honest.
People will be delighted that the work Christmas parties are cancelled. Most people don't overly enjoy them and if people have good friends at work they normal do something by themselves.
A few will miss the novelty of the twelve pubs of Christmas also. (Well mainly students.)
Going for a drink om Christmas Eve will be missed by a lot tough.
Whilst people will love having an excuse for not going to the pub I know some families who won't like having a relative drinking with them all the time.

They'll be less visiting extended family and friends and more time time at home. However this may lead to some having very lonely Christmases.

More will be at home probably having smaller gatherings. They'll be lots more turkeys, hams, etc sold. Hopefully the shops will see this happening and will stock accordingly for it. With this more will be cooking who may not be used to it and we may see a rise in food posoining.
Smaller family dinners are often a lot more relaxed and there's not much pressure to dress up, have everything looking perfect, having to deal with people you don't like.
However people returning from abroad may be an issue for a lot of families.

Exchanging presents is another one. It will of course be done but secret Santa's and exchanging gifts with people further out may be more difficult.
People will be cagey of giving people vouchers for the hospitality industry and hairdressers, etc.

Regarding spending some people will go all out and others will find it very difficult this year. They'll be less browsing shopping trips and days out.
Some areas of the retail sector will do well and others maybe have difficulty.

I think people will go all out with decorations tough or do nothing at all.

Christmas Eve will be a different experience tough. I know lots of people who'd go to town get their hair done, do last minute shopping, collect dessert and maybe met people for coffee. Whilst some elements of this will be the same I think it wont have that warm festive vibe.

To end on it a positive. Smaller more relaxed celebrations with close family with less hassle. People will spend more in their local area and support local businesses.

Not that I've given this much taught!

TRS30 · 28-10-2020 10:07am

This has come up on a few times over the last number of months and the general consensus seems to be the same; a more relaxed Christmas.

It does beg the question why does it take a pandemic to allow people to have the relaxed Christmas they want, why not do it every year. I believe that we all feel pressure to go to events we really don't want to however feel we have to 'show the face', from work parties to meeting friends to even family get togethers.

Like most of you I will miss somethings, mainly family outings that we do over the holidays that most likely wouldn't be able to happen this year. I wouldn't miss going to the pub, work party or the general pressure to go on the lash.

We have done a lot of our present shopping already, don't need any decorations, so will just be a tree and that's about it. Christmas day will most likely just be the 5 of us so no need for the 'big shop' as such. We will start to pick up extras the few weeks before.

So looks like a lot of family time at home and just relaxing and enjoying ourselves.

So overall, I think there will be positives and negatives and come back to me in january and I'll tell you which won!

LuasSimon · 28-10-2020 2:16pm

Is anyone organising Christmas party in their workplace this year or are we all saying there won’t be any ?
If lockdown finishes December 1 after these 6 weeks level 5 could we not expect restaurants if not pubs to be open for the 3 week run in to Christmas .

iamwhoiam · 28-10-2020 2:23pm

Just go out to the airport on any day from 22nd to 24th of December any year but 2020 .You might then understand what people will miss this year .I wait every year for my daughter to arrive and will miss that dreadfully . Plus a grandchild who I was to meet at Christmas and now wont . Its difficult to read threads like this as not everyone has the same exciting feeling this year

Loughc · 28-10-2020 2:23pm

LuasSimon wrote: »

Is anyone organising Christmas party in their workplace this year or are we all saying there won’t be any ?
If lockdown finishes December 1 after these 6 weeks level 5 could we not expect restaurants if not pubs to be open for the 3 week run in to Christmas .

I imagine We will be going from level 5 to level 3 for 3 weeks and then down to level 2 for Christmas.

Pistachio19 · 28-10-2020 5:57pm

It won't make much difference to me personally. We don't have Xmas parties, don't have visitors over Christmas, I don't drink so won't miss out if pubs are closed. I will miss not going to visit family and M&S for their shortbread though - that's if we are still restricted on travelling outside our county by mid December.

Posy · 28-10-2020 7:32pm

LuasSimon wrote: »

Is anyone organising Christmas party in their workplace this year or are we all saying there won’t be any ?
If lockdown finishes December 1 after these 6 weeks level 5 could we not expect restaurants if not pubs to be open for the 3 week run in to Christmas.

I think my workplace will do some sort of small event- we all work together every day, so I don't think a few drinks after work would make a major difference! All depending on the levels by then, of course.

It's mad when you think of all the hotel bookings, Christmas party nights etc. that are usually being prepared by the hospitality industry right now!

I imagine taxi drivers are also feeling the pinch, when you think of trying to get home from nights out, especially around Christmas, and not being to get a taxi for love nor money! At 25% capacity, they can probably only have the driver in the car right now, too. :pac:

eviltwin · 28-10-2020 7:34pm

LuasSimon wrote: »

Is anyone organising Christmas party in their workplace this year or are we all saying there won’t be any ?
If lockdown finishes December 1 after these 6 weeks level 5 could we not expect restaurants if not pubs to be open for the 3 week run in to Christmas .

No, there’s no appetite for it this year. Can’t say I’m bothered.

jos28 · 28-10-2020 8:02pm

I suppose this year is a chance to break with traditions, some good, some bad.
I won't miss pubs, staff parties or crowded shops.
I will miss family and friends calling in. I miss that now never mind at Christmas time.
I'm not sure what my adult children will do, it's all in the air at this stage. I'll take whatever comes so long as I can get together with family and friends at some stage.

gozunda · 28-10-2020 8:15pm

A family Christmas for us traditionally involved those of the extended family who were chefs (professional) in the kitchen generally killing each other. Various others members of the extended family drafted in to peel spuds, act as bus boys and as dish washers. The resulting dinner in the best Victorian style could be served any time from eight o'clock (pm) onwards and involved way too many courses and a major meltdown when something had been inevitably forgotten or overlooked.

These days we keep it simple - thankfully...

Mam of 4 · 28-10-2020 9:28pm

iamwhoiam wrote: »

Just go out to the airport on any day from 22nd to 24th of December any year but 2020 .You might then understand what people will miss this year .I wait every year for my daughter to arrive and will miss that dreadfully . Plus a grandchild who I was to meet at Christmas and now wont . Its difficult to read threads like this as not everyone has the same exciting feeling this year

Hugs to you Iamwhoiam, what you've said is true for a lot of people, not being able to have their loved ones with them .

iamwhoiam · 28-10-2020 10:35pm

Mam of 4 wrote: »

Hugs to you Iamwhoiam, what you've said is true for a lot of people, not being able to have their loved ones with them .

Thank you so much . I feel bad for so many in the same boat . There are elderly in care homes who may not even get out for the day . But we are stronger than Covid and we will beat it one day m

Heroditas · 28-10-2020 10:43pm

iamwhoiam wrote: »

Just go out to the airport on any day from 22nd to 24th of December any year but 2020 .You might then understand what people will miss this year .I wait every year for my daughter to arrive and will miss that dreadfully . Plus a grandchild who I was to meet at Christmas and now wont . Its difficult to read threads like this as not everyone has the same exciting feeling this year

Yes agreed. My nephew was due to come home from NZ this year with his partner and 2yo daughter. My mum has yet to met his partner and daughter so it would have been lovely for all of them. Maybe next year...

As for my Christmas, I'll really miss the work party. Always a highlight of the year for me. I'll also really miss the Christmas Leinster match in the Aviva. It always seemed to be on the day after the Christmas party so a busy weekend that will be quiet this year. We're planning on sending JustEat vouchers out in work and doing a quiz online instead of the usual work party this year.
I also head out on the 23rd to meet uni friends so that looks off the cards this year.

Apart from that, the main focus in the kids and while their annual trip to Santa looks a bit unlikely and the school Christmas concerts won't go ahead, it should be the same as usual for them. They'll have us and their grandparents and the big guy should be arriving on Christmas Eve. They'll get to spend a lot more time with us in December so it'll be plenty of movies, treats, Christmas specials, gingerbread etc. We're just going to make sure it's as special a time for them as possible. That will make it, by proxy, a great time for us too.

A Christmas with a difference?

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