I think we can all agree that Christmas is going to be a little bit different this year.
I mean – I kinda knew, all the way back in March that there was a chance that this whole Covid fiasco may stretch as far as Christmas, but I don’t think I ever actually believed it, you know?
Yet, here we are facing a Christmas unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. It would be oh, so easy to let current circumstances get me down. I hate when things don’t go to plan at the best of times, and if 2020 had a theme it would be “not going to plan!”
Rather than falling into a black pit of despair and bemoaning all of the many things I won’t get to do this Christmas, I am working very hard to ensure that there are plenty of nice things we do get to enjoy. Here are a few of my ideas for a very merry Covid Christmas:
1. Messy baking with the kids
Every year I say I want to bake some lovely Christmas treats with the girls and every year I never seem to get around to it. This year, I’m going to cram in as much baking as I possibly can. It serves two purposes – 1) we get to spend some lovely time together having fun and 2) we get yummy treats afterwards, The best part it, as nobody else will be coming around to visit, we don’t have to share and it doesn’t matter if the bakes are a bit of a disaster. Ready, set……Bake!
2. All the Christmas telly
Let’s be honest, pulling out the Radio Times and highlighting all of the TV shows and films you want to watch is easily one of the best parts of Christmas. The thing is, I’m usually so busy during the festive period that I don’t actually get to watch many of the things on my “To Be Watched” list. This year that Sky TV box is going to be working overtime as I enjoy some serious time in front of the old gogglebox.
3. All the Christmas Food
They can take away my freedom, but they cannot take away my food. Like, really, since the beginning of this pandemic I think I have gone up two dress sizes, mainly because the only thing I have to get excited about is the food I eat. Christmas food is obviously the best food in the world, so bring on the turkey, stuffing, pigs in blankets, cheese, mince pies and mulled wine. (Obviously not all at once!)
4. The Joy of Zoom
Who could have predicted on Jan 1st that video calling was going to be THE must have item for 2020? I’ve lost track of the number of events that have been saved by a hastily put together Zoom quiz, or virtual meeting. I’ve watched online theatre. We even had a Zoom hen party for my sister! With us not being able to gather as a large family unit over the Christmas holidays, we’re going to use online technology to our advantage. We’re planning a large Zoom unwrapping on Christmas morning and a Christmas Quiz instead of a big family party.
5.That Blasted Elf
So, apparently that pesky elf that likes to wreak havoc over Advent is a key worker. We don’t have the standard Elf on the Shelf visit our house. Instead, we have Elsie, a little friend who gets up to mischief and occasionally brings small treats for the girls. And she’s not going to let something like a simple global pandemic get in her way
6. Some well-earned “Me-Time”
I generally love the hustle and bustle of Christmas time, but I must admit it is kind of nice to have nothing to do and nowhere to go. With all of this extra down-time, I am definitely planning to spend some time of some serious self-care, curled up in front of the fire with a glass of mulled wine in one hand and a good book in the other.
7. Family & Friends
I know that there are a lot of different opinions on what is the right way to handle Christmas. Some people want looser restrictions, some want tighter ones. We’re definitely somewhere in the middle. We will be visiting some family, within the limits of the Government guidance, but we will be keeping contact to a minimum and trying to protect our family as much as possible. It’s not going to be easy, I know it won’t be nearly as good as normal but I know it will make it even more special when we are finally able to spend time together.
However you spend your Christmas holidays this year, whatever you do to make it feel “normal”, I hope you have a very, merry Christmas.
