AFTER this unprecedented and, for so many, very tragic year—and with Christmas day fast approaching—the usual stresses surrounding the festive season seem to be overwhelmed by confusion over the pandemic rules in the different tiers; and the difficult choices to be made over who we should or shouldn’t share our Christmases with.
Sometime ago, and to remove that difficult choice within our family, my husband and I agreed we wouldn’t put any decisions over Christmas at our children’s feet. Instead, we told them we’d be spending Christmas Day on our own—though we’ll hopefully see them all at some point when it’s appropriate in our bubble.
This, we hope, has made life easier for them—and we’ve made plans for a ‘free and easy’ Christmas Day.
There will be no cooking a huge lunch. Instead, we’ll be having pepperoni pizza, followed by Christmas pudding and brandy butter, a glass or two of champagne and chocolate, sweets and nibbles as and when we feel like them throughout the day. Then, in the evening, maybe a cheese board with more alcohol!
So on Christmas Day we will be indulging ourselves, and I have to say I’m really looking forward to it!
But once again it seems that the government is unable to make a ‘sensible’ decision.
How does it work, with cases of COVID-19 rising exponentially in some areas, that for five days people will be allowed to move around freely, travelling up and down the country and possibly taking the virus with them when visiting other households?
Then we’ll inevitably all end up back in tiers again—but by then the damage will be done.
The virus isn’t selective and neither will it be taking a holiday over those same five days—or, for that matter, at any other time.
In reality we, and many other families, have made our own considered decisions as to the best way around the Christmas quandary.
This is just one year, though, and surely looking to the future it will be better to keep socialising to a minimum to ensure we’ll all still be here to celebrate together in future years.
I know that for people on their own, Christmas can be a lonely and difficult time. As such, many families have every good reason to want to be with loved ones. But a lot of families can still enjoy a great Christmas within their bubble, and now that we live in a technical world, being in touch couldn’t be easier.
2020 has been a year that worldwide will forever be remembered for all the wrong reasons. So let’s hope, and fingers crossed, that 2021 doesn’t follow in its footsteps.
Viruses and various strains of flu have been around for years, and so far haven’t brought the world economy to its knees. So why has this happened this year with COVID-19?
The reasons why are for the cynics like me to grapple with. But one thing’s for certain: we cannot carry on indefinitely ‘locked down’ with an ever-growing mountain of debt left for our children and grandchildren to be repaying the rest of their lives.
So make the most of Christmas. Reach out to anyone who may be on their own and would welcome some kind words to help them get through the festive season. And, most importantly, stay safe and look forward to 2021 with a positive attitude.
Whether you trust it or not, we now have a vaccine (or vaccines) lined up—so there’s definitely light at the end of the tunnel.
If you’ve read my blogs this year, I hope you’ve enjoyed some, if not all, of them—and I look forward to bringing you more next year.
With my very best wishes for Christmas and 2021!
Granny FlapjaX
GRANNY FLAPJAX 