What will Christmas look like for you this year?

[Babsy]

We are having our two children and their families home for gifts, but not turkey dinner, on Christmas Day.

My Mom and Dad usually join us, but are staying away for this year as they are quite elderly. My son is a doctor and daughter in law a nurse, so they are staying apart, just to be safe.
My sister and I will bring our parents their gifts and meals and the two of us will visit for a short while while socially distancing and everyone will wear masks, but it certainly won't be the same.

Also, NYE is usually a big celebration out at a nice restaurant, with dancing and an extended party. This year it will just be our family bubble at home.

However, next year I plan to go big and have everyone with all the trimmings!! (Yay! for the coming vaccine!!)

Usually about this time we are looking forward to at least a couple of winter trips to WDW, but this year it just isn't happening.

Some new decorations to add to the festive atmosphere are on display outside and we have a second tree inside for the first time. I finally purchased an artificial tree to go with our real tree! I've been looking for a tree that I would like for years and finally found one. Yay!

Basically, we have our hopes tied to a more normal celebration next year while planning to simply enjoy whatever is available for 2020. It will be pretty low key and quiet. We are thankful just to be healthy and safe for this time around.

 

[White Cat]

Spouse and I will eat out Christmas Eve. Daughter her husband and my parents will be over to eat Christmas Day.

 

[wdwmom3]

We will be staying home. Just our household. No gatherings with family members at all this year. Just phone calls. Because it’s the responsible thing to do.

 

[Chickinvic]

I kind of like having no pressure to socialize lol. It won't be all that different for me. My man and I live in the basement suite of his parents' house. I'll go upstairs and cook a turkey. I'll maybe pop over to my mom's house the next day for a quick, socially distant visit with her and my son (who lives in my mom's basement).

 

[momof2gr8kids]

I'm really disappointed that the ski hills are closed all across Ontario. We're in the North and don't have cases like Southern Ontario, and the kids were looking forward to be able to ski over the holidays. Now I'll get to hang with a sulky dd since her work is closed during the lockdown as well. And I'm that mean mom that won't let her friends over in the house. Ugh. Perhaps I'll go into the office now and work alone!!! LOL (DS is quite fine perfecting his gaming skills...) They're way past the age of getting excited to go skating or sliding. We have snowshoes but I got the lip curl when I mentioned that... Ah at least the lcbo will remain open.

Merry Christmas Everyone! At least I have here to escape to when everyone annoys me!! Ha.

 

[bababear_50]

BEST GIFT EVER!!!!!!! Just the BEST!
Ding Dong went the door bell.
I thought it was a delivery person ,, my grand daughter had said she was sending a gift.
This is the granddaughter that I haven't seen in 11 months.

Well the special delivery was HER!!!!
Herself In person for a outdoor physical visit!!!


Yes I cried and cried and laughed. It was so great to see her beautiful smile.
Not hugging her was hard but we did do a close your eyes and hug ourselves hug.
What a Great gift & Great Day!
Hugs
Mel

 

[mshanson3121]

I'm really disappointed that the ski hills are closed all across Ontario. We're in the North and don't have cases like Southern Ontario, and the kids were looking forward to be able to ski over the holidays. Now I'll get to hang with a sulky dd since her work is closed during the lockdown as well. And I'm that mean mom that won't let her friends over in the house. Ugh. Perhaps I'll go into the office now and work alone!!! LOL (DS is quite fine perfecting his gaming skills...) They're way past the age of getting excited to go skating or sliding. We have snowshoes but I got the lip curl when I mentioned that... Ah at least the lcbo will remain open.

Merry Christmas Everyone! At least I have here to escape to when everyone annoys me!! Ha.

Our hills just opened last weekend and now we're supposed to get a huge rain system tonight and tomorrow with 45 mm of rain, which basically is going to kill the snow.

And solidarity - we aren't allowing indoor playdates either, which is hard. Though my daughter did have some friends over this afternoon so they could go sliding on the snow before it disappears.

And I get it about here being your escape. Our next trip is 18 months away, but I've been daydreaming about it so hard recently. Have also started trying to plan some sort of getaway for the summer - I thinks we'll do a few nights in PEI, then take the ferry over to NS and go to Cape Breton. Of course this all assumes the bubble is out back in place and we won't have to quarantine.

Honestly - I was doing okay with all of it until today. And then it just hit me how badly I miss my Dad. This Christmas would have been hard enough, but... it's all compounded now by Covid. Nothing is the same, everything different... I've definitely shed some tears today. I'm trying to avoid Facebook because it's full of happy, Merry Christmases, and maybe I'm weak, but I just can't face those today.

So, I'll cuddle up on the couch with my kids, who are also missing their grandfather and normalcy, and we'll all eat some nachos and watch some Disney shows.

 

[Donald - my hero]

really really REALLY different and difficult for me this year. Perhaps later I'll share what's happened before and what has been so far and will be.

here's how I'm gathering steam for the last bit of tidying for the quick stop our daughter and her wife will make tomorrow (this room had become my sewing area and there was no place for anyone!) Sitting on the couch, looking at my pretend tree (like the smallest one ever!) nibbling on meringue cookies dipped in chocolate. Anyone who's been following my diet through 2020 knows how huge this is!!! Actual food that can pass as regular

 

[mshanson3121]

Well... It wasn't the Christmas we planned. It didn't even turn out to be the "re-planned" Christmas that we plan.

Instead of a beautiful roast beef dinner - I'm making philly steak nachos. We'll do our big dinner tomorrow instead.

But... the day went well. I've had times of tears for sure, but... it didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would, and honestly...it was good Annnnd.... kind of as I predicted, DH really loved having the morning to ourselves. But surprisingly - so did the kids! In fact our daughter (with ASD) said she preferred it being just the four of us! So, DH and I said, as of now - we have a new "tradition". Instead of constantly hosting overnight company every year, from now on, Christmas morning is for us only. Family is welcome for dinner, but we're going to take time for just our family. Especially when DH reminded me we only have 4 Christmases left before DS will be graduating and leaving home. The grandparents got the first 14 Christmases... we're getting the last 4.

So, thank you Covid?? I doubt we would have gotten to this point without it. #silverlinings

 

[Donald - my hero]

Christmas was/ is different than other years but truthfully not much from the last 2 years. Both hubby and I are EXTREMELY introverted have been enjoying that the stress of needing to be with other people is gone. It's a long time since we did anything with either extended family, stopped the Christmas day travel rush after the SECOND year that we arrived at hubby's house to discover that they had changed the time of the meal and were on dessert when we walked in and all the kids had already opened gifts. We had to set the alarm to get the kids out of bed and see what Santa brought, was never relaxing. Once we stopped going the clock which was in every picture was never earlier than 10 am!
I was furious that they had also served the meal we had left in the freezer at Thanksgiving so I would have food without needing to get up early Christmas day to cook (allergic to poultry) because other people thought it looked good. We stopped going completely after our girls were married and they didn't all attend the wedding, if you can't fully support my entire family, sorry, not sorry, I can't pretend anymore.

The girls were only here to exchange stockings and have a quick snack - separated by at least 6' and I only used disposable stuff that's been pitched, we made a run thru the house wiping down surfaces after they left. We all wore masks except when eating. Our son and his wife didn't come since they live too far away it would require sleeping over, not safe when hubby is high risk, they have both been working with large groups of people.
I ordered baked goods from a small business that has pivoted from their usual large catering to pick up or delivery of family sized n meals to eliminate the weeks worth of baking I normally do, at least 10 different treats that each make at least 6 dozen (i can't eat any of them BTW). Served Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls instead of my homemade ones that take 2 days, and egg, bacon and cheese stuffed pillsbury biscuits that were hand held to eliminate needing to sit at the table. Only baking I did was meringue cookies and brownies that are 100% safe for me (rather stingy with my sharing those) and a pan of the Butterscotch peanut butter marshmallow squares everyone loves. Hubby and I are still in n our jammies, he's puzzling and me? Duh, checking the boards before I glance at all the superficial sappy posts on Facebook to check on my friends there - my most important friends there don't post that crap but any of us who use that know you often see polished images and carefully crafted words. Hubby requested Lunchables and TV dinners for the holidays so he doesn't need to cook and clean up so one of those will be his Christmas meal and mine will be my 300th egg- white cheese omlette since February and a bowl of frozen Blueberries with Whipping cream.
HOpe everyone has enjoyed their day, whatever it included and that the rest of your holidays are filled with peace.

 

[hdrolfe]

Our Christmas has been quiet. When Jackson was born I made the decision to have Christmas morning at home so that wasn't very different, though the lack of sleep meant we got to have a nap after the present opening and breakfast. The one thing I didn't like about today... so many dishes!! I made a big breakfast and a big supper and feel like I have spent way too much time in the kitchen. And so many leftovers. The food was good, kiddo didn't like it of course so he had some leftover tuna casserole from last night, but I enjoyed it a lot. And will be eating it for a few more days.

I do miss going to my sister's for dinner and the visit. It's nice to be around adults and play some games. Kiddo is on his computer catching up with his friends and playing video games. He'll play some board games with me later but he had to compare gifts. Someone got a switch so I'm sure I'll hear about that for awhile.

I hope everyone had a lovely day, in whatever way they spent it. And that next year, things are back to whatever normal looks like.

 

[gskywalker]

It was a good day with our kids and my mom(lives in the basement). Very strange that 48 hours from now we will be having dinner at California Grill with all of them left at home.

 

[mshanson3121]

Christmas was/ is different than other years but truthfully not much from the last 2 years. Both hubby and I are EXTREMELY introverted have been enjoying that the stress of needing to be with other people is gone. It's a long time since we did anything with either extended family, stopped the Christmas day travel rush after the SECOND year that we arrived at hubby's house to discover that they had changed the time of the meal and were on dessert when we walked in and all the kids had already opened gifts. We had to set the alarm to get the kids out of bed and see what Santa brought, was never relaxing. Once we stopped going the clock which was in every picture was never earlier than 10 am!
I was furious that they had also served the meal we had left in the freezer at Thanksgiving so I would have food without needing to get up early Christmas day to cook (allergic to poultry) because other people thought it looked good. We stopped going completely after our girls were married and they didn't all attend the wedding, if you can't fully support my entire family, sorry, not sorry, I can't pretend anymore.

The girls were only here to exchange stockings and have a quick snack - separated by at least 6' and I only used disposable stuff that's been pitched, we made a run thru the house wiping down surfaces after they left. We all wore masks except when eating. Our son and his wife didn't come since they live too far away it would require sleeping over, not safe when hubby is high risk, they have both been working with large groups of people.
I ordered baked goods from a small business that has pivoted from their usual large catering to pick up or delivery of family sized n meals to eliminate the weeks worth of baking I normally do, at least 10 different treats that each make at least 6 dozen (i can't eat any of them BTW). Served Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls instead of my homemade ones that take 2 days, and egg, bacon and cheese stuffed pillsbury biscuits that were hand held to eliminate needing to sit at the table. Only baking I did was meringue cookies and brownies that are 100% safe for me (rather stingy with my sharing those) and a pan of the Butterscotch peanut butter marshmallow squares everyone loves. Hubby and I are still in n our jammies, he's puzzling and me? Duh, checking the boards before I glance at all the superficial sappy posts on Facebook to check on my friends there - my most important friends there don't post that crap but any of us who use that know you often see polished images and carefully crafted words. Hubby requested Lunchables and TV dinners for the holidays so he doesn't need to cook and clean up so one of those will be his Christmas meal and mine will be my 300th egg- white cheese omlette since February and a bowl of frozen Blueberries with Whipping cream.
HOpe everyone has enjoyed their day, whatever it included and that the rest of your holidays are filled with peace. View attachment 545963

You are the first person I've "met" that has a poultry allergy! My hubby has one as well, and we've never found anyone else with it. When people hear he can't eat poultry they look at us like we're crazy. May I ask what it does to you? For DH, it plays severe Blitzkrieg on his intestines for DAYS.

 

[quandrea]

Well... It wasn't the Christmas we planned. It didn't even turn out to be the "re-planned" Christmas that we plan.

Instead of a beautiful roast beef dinner - I'm making philly steak nachos. We'll do our big dinner tomorrow instead.

But... the day went well. I've had times of tears for sure, but... it didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would, and honestly...it was good ♥ Annnnd.... kind of as I predicted, DH really loved having the morning to ourselves. But surprisingly - so did the kids! In fact our daughter (with ASD) said she preferred it being just the four of us! So, DH and I said, as of now - we have a new "tradition". Instead of constantly hosting overnight company every year, from now on, Christmas morning is for us only. Family is welcome for dinner, but we're going to take time for just our family. Especially when DH reminded me we only have 4 Christmases left before DS will be graduating and leaving home. The grandparents got the first 14 Christmases... we're getting the last 4.

So, thank you Covid?? I doubt we would have gotten to this point without it. #silverlinings

So glad the holiday was joyful. My kids said the same thing. All three were thrilled to be home all day. They did Lego and arranged all their new books on their bookshelves. They said they loved the brunch we had over the usual traditional feast (pasta was not missed by this Italian family!). Much to my surprise!

We will probably still reluctantly return to our usual way of doing things—my mother in law is getting older and it’s really for her that we do it all. DH and I have decided though that when the time comes for us, we will tell our own kids that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be days they needn’t worry about us. We will do our holiday celebration some other time and they can stay with the families they will hopefully some day make.

We finished the day with a roaring fire, charcuterie plate and Wonder Woman. Perfection.

 

[grantclaire]

Hi, after our small dinner, I made a fire and the DW and I sat down to watch Soul on Disney plus. It was a beautifull and brilliant film!

 

[Frozen2014]

Hi, after our small dinner, I made a fire and the DW and I sat down to watch Soul on Disney plus. It was a beautifull and brilliant film!

Funny you mention it, as DS just suggested this movie as an option for New Years.
Your Christmas probably wasn't the norm, but still sounds nice.

 

[grantclaire]

Funny you mention it, as DS just suggested this movie as an option for New Years.
Your Christmas probably wasn't the norm, but still sounds nice.

Thanks, it was nice.

 

[mshanson3121]

Hi, after our small dinner, I made a fire and the DW and I sat down to watch Soul on Disney plus. It was a beautifull and brilliant film!

We're planning to watch it today!

 

[gskywalker]

Holy crap Disney in 15 hours. Don't think we are going to do the parks, instead it is going to be 4 days of fine dining shopping and whatever else it is ...... My wife says WEEEE want for our 20th anniversary.

 

[alohamom]

Holy crap Disney in 15 hours. Don't think we are going to do the parks, instead it is going to be 4 days of fine dining shopping and whatever else it is ...... My wife says WEEEE want for our 20th anniversary.

Lets us all know how it goes so we can live vicariously through you! Have a great time!