There’s a lot of talk at the moment about the possibilities of Christmas this year. Whether we can have it (we can – it’s not going anywhere), and how we can have it, and the chances of there being restrictions because of Covid-19.
Christmas is an important feature of the calendar. Many of us have experienced that first Christmas without a loved one. The empty ache seems so much heavier at that time of year, so there clearly is something more significant about it.
I suspect that significance has little to do with religion for most people – and I include myself there. To me, Christmas has always felt as if it was a time for families to be together. As a child, I was always made to feel my birthday was a special day, but it was special to me. Christmas can be special for everyone, and across the generations, although it’s especially the case with children around.
There’s something magical about the idea of a strange man dropping down a chimney and, as parents, we do our best to maintain the illusion as long as possible. The mystique is added to by the infrequency. It only happens once a year, which makes it all the more exciting for the children. And the parents and grandparents. Regardless of your reasons, it is a special time. It’s a time for celebration, whether it is the religious, the opportunity for families to get together, or even if you hark back to the pagan beliefs and rituals for that time of year. And those celebrations are enhanced by decorations, food and music (whether your preference is for carols or Slade).
Of course, with economics becoming an increasingly important factor, there are stresses. Those are added to by the pressures of entertaining large family gatherings. But these are largely self-imposed. More of us could do with stepping back and reminding ourselves why we find this period so special – and that the hundreds of pounds you spent on a new computer console is not what your children will remember fondly when they’re grown up and looking back on the Christmases of their youth.
One thing that does make anything special is its rarity. The shops start promoting Christmas earlier and earlier each year. But an increasing number of households are buying into that too. A neighbour of mind decorated the outside of their house last week. And theirs wasn’t the first I’ve seen already decked out for Christmas.
Not my neighbour’s house
To me, it doesn’t seem right. Christmas is a time of anticipation but, when the anticipation goes on for weeks, surely by the time it arrives it’s going to be, at best, anti-climactic.
We all have our own views on this, I’m sure, and it may be that mine are seen as Scrooge-like. After the year we’ve had, maybe they just want something to look forward to. I hope they aren’t disappointed. Because the number of cases in our area is still in excess of 400 per 100,000. So I wouldn’t be taking bets on it being a ‘normal’ Christmas here – or anywhere else for that matter.
Of course, there’s an assumption that the decisions around what kind of Christmas any of us will have are down to the government. That’s bollocks.
I don’t mean to suggest that the government (or our esteemed leader) are kind-hearted souls who want only the best for us. The reality is that they need something approximating a familiar Christmas because of the damage to the economy if it doesn’t happen. So they won’t want to impose any more restrictions than they have to.
But, if they do impose any, it’ll be because the virus is spreading at a rate that’ll cripple the NHS. And that, my friends, is down to us and how we act. The more of us that behave sensibly, the less likely it is that there’ll be restrictions.
If they do come, though, we need to approach our Christmases creatively, and make them memorable in new ways. The goalposts move very rapidly at the moment, so I’m working on my back-up plan now.
What’s yours? I’d love to know.
I’m not a natural Christmas-lover, but I did my bit for my kids when they were small, and now again for my grandkids. And as for this year, I currently work in retail so no doubt that means working through Christmas Eve and then straight into Boxing Day Sales the day after, so I guess I’ll be busy over Christmas in a different way… But I do miss seeing my family even now, we’ve not been able to meet indoors since the last week in September so it’s already been a difficult time for all of us… bloody Covid! 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Ruth. It’s been a few years since I had the kind of Christmas I love – which involves having my family around me – but that’s probably as much to do with the phase of life my kids are at. As a result, my enthusiasm for it has waned a little, though I still hanker for those days. I haven’t had grandchildren yet, but there is one on the way, so maybe the situation will change over the next few years.
I’m not sure from your comments whether your busyness over Christmas is being seen as a good or a bad thing. Though I suspect the retail experience this year will be quite different to previous years.
As for the impact of Covid, I’ve had to spend several periods virtually in isolation with my partner, so contact with my family has been very difficult this year. My 83 year old mum has been the same, though we’ve recently had to form a bubble. I’m pondering some more isolation time in the coming weeks, so I can give her what will probably the best Christmas present she could wish for – her first hug since March!
I saw my first Christmas decorated house last week too… way too early for my taste!
I’m making no plans this year… Christmas will be a low-key, last minute affair here… and just hope I get to see my sons and granddaughters, even from a distance.
We do need something to look forward to though…and not the commercial aspects that government must try to protect and encourage. We’ve had most of this year ‘stolen’ from us by the virus, its fears and its fallout…
To be fair, Sue, it’s hard to make plans. And, even with the government guidelines, I’ve not been convinced they’re working, so I thought I’d try to apply some common sense instead. And, with the aim of having more opportunities to see family (and even a few friends) in 2021, I’m erring very much on the side of caution now. Our expectation is that it will just be the two of us over Christmas. At some point, I’ll visit my mum, who lives alone, and it’s possible I’ll see my kids – though I haven’t banked on that for the last 13 years, so I doubt I’ll be disappointed!
With mine both in self-isolation at the moment and my immune system up the Swanee, I;m not counting on anything much this year 🙂
We’d all do well to manage our expectations in the current climate. I suspect there’ll be a lot of people who are disappointed – or go ahead and spread the virus. Take care of yourself, Sue. We’ll do everything we can to see you when it can be done safely.
I’ll be holding you both to that 🙂
I expect nothing less.
🙂
We’d love to be able to make plans for Christmas, but we realise there’s no way it’s going to happen. Like you, it looks as if it’ll be just the two of us this year (oh, and the two dogs), but to be honest I think we’re both looking forward to it being just that, Graeme. Some of our neighbours already have Christmas trees and decorations up. Given what kind of year it’s been, I don’t blame them. And given that the shortest day is still over a month away, seeing the twinkle of fairy-lights makes me smile. And if it makes me smile, I’m all for it.
Now on to this particular part of your post – ‘There’s something magical about the idea of a strange man dropping down a chimney and, as parents, we do our best to maintain the illusion as long as possible.’ An illusion? Please tell me it’s not true, Graeme? 🎅
I think Christmas will be what we make of it, Hugh, regardless of the rules and regulations. I’ve had many different kinds of Christmases over the years, including one spent alone, and I’ve generally found ways to enjoy them all. We don’t need the turkey and trimmings, or the tree, or mince pies or to pull crackers, or whatever else it is that we somehow associate with the ‘tradition’ of Christmas. We just need to find the things that, as you say, make us smile.
PS Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Though what a strange bloke’s doing up your chimney every year, I dread to think…
I’m not religious so Christmas has no ‘special’ meaning for me. When I was little it was the magic of Christmas that caused the excitement, that faded gradually as it was apparent there was no Father Christmas. From then on it became a bit mercenary if I’m honest it was all about what I was getting. I stopped buying into the commercialism quite a while ago. Now it’s a time to see family (or not this year) but ideally a time to chill. I have few presents to buy having reached the sensible arrangement that most of us have all we need, so it becomes about want again. My lead into Christmas starts when my friend and I prepare our Christmas charity shoeboxes, this for me, is more in keeping with the spirit of Christmas. That takes up a fair chunk of money but it’s being spent on something worthwhile and not something to clog up a drawer. I do like to decorate, albeit in a pared back way and that never starts until about 10 days before (My mum’s birthday is 15th and growing up that was always when we put the tree up). To be honest, I really don’t think our lockdown Christmas will be that different to a normal one – which probably says more about me, than it does the current situation. As for New Year …
I think we all find our own meaning in it, Jill, and you’ve clearly found yours. For those who feel strongly it should be done in the ‘traditional’ way – whatever that is – this might prove to be an opportunity to find an alternative that offers more meaning than the commercialised version that’s become the norm. Strangely enough, I suspect my Christmas will turn out to be very similar to several I’ve enjoyed over the years. I’d love to see my kids, but I’m happy to wait.
I’d like to think that our current situation makes us think about lots of things in an alternative/different way. Not in some ‘great reset’ kind of way, but it’s given us the opportunity to see that life can be different, and time to think about what is important, and what we really need. I hope your Christmas is the best it can be.
I’d like to think that too, Jill, and I’m sure it will have happened for some people. Perhaps I’m being pessimistic, but based on my own observations of people around me, I suspect those who do think differently will remain the minority.
Christmas will be a good one for us both – because we’ll make it so. I suspect yours will be too.
I think you’re bang on the money Graeme. Yes, Covid has been tough and like many, I count my blessings I’m still in a job, the company, within the hospitality industry has survived, for now.
Christmas this year, will be the same as many recent ones, what we make of it as individuals and how we look on our loved ones over this time.
Covid is tough, but it’s not as tough as some of the periods many of us have been through, times away from those we cherish and periods of family challenges that affect so many.
I’m lucky in so much as there is no expectation on me, the kids are 23 and 20, I don’t have to meet the demands of capitalism, commercialism and the marketing machine that eats away at the confidence of parents.
All I can say is that Christmas will be what it will be this year and we can come out of the otherside in the safe knowledge we recognised those we loved, provided what we provided and made some smiles along the way……
As you say, Christmas will be what it’ll be. Though announcements today might raise hopes and expectations a little too high.
I’ve always wondered how he knows where I live, Graeme. Having moved house several times, the same bloke seems to still find me every Christmas Eve. I would report it to the police, but I don’t think turning up at my house once a year would be classed as stalking. Luckily, he doesn’t seem to have found my blog or found me on social media yet. And he’s never left anything shocking in nature in my stocking.
There’s not a lot you can say to that…