Dear LPG,     

The year we have been through has had many effects on people of all ages and I think we can all agree that a lot of them have not been the most positive. Being forced to be alone or with the same people around us for so much of the time has been hard on all concerned but, when we do finally get to the end of the crisis we are all currently trapped in, I hope we will be better and mentally stronger individuals for having been through the experience.

Now Christmas is the question on so many people’s minds.   Do we all get together and maximise the rules that the government have set out or do we give the family get-together a miss this year for the greater good.

Whichever way each of us sees it, there are only two choices really and I think that different generations and their different perspectives on the subject must be causing much argument and many discussions with just a few days to go. 

My children usually all visit me for the ultimate present unwrapping session and I have to admit that the best part of Christmas for me is watching the grandchildren stripping the paper off their gifts, but I am also aware that they have been locked down while going back and forth to school.  I have one grandson who has been sent home from school for the mandatory 14-day self-isolation period on two occasions since schools have reopened because another child in class has tested positive; and all this before you broach the question of how to choose which two other households to invite and how not inviting the others will impact on the favouritism stakes.

I feel for the sons involved here because I think that, many of those who have been working from home, furloughed or made redundant during the crises must feel as good as imprisoned.  So while many of those Dads want to have a day out, their other halves, the Mums are more guarded about the effect of the risks of such a day.  When I think about it, even if you think you can sit around the table, unwrap presents and spend two or three hours in the same house with your children and grandchildren that you have most probably not actually seen for months, without sharing a hug, I think that the emotional effect will be quite traumatic. 

I have a son who is upset with me because I am taking sides with his wife when agreeing that we should all stay home this Christmas day, while my son in law is having a similar discussion with his wife according to the last chat I had with my daughter.

So I have decided that the telephone and computer will have to be the way to communicate this Christmas day and I have let all concerned know.  It has not been an easy decision but I hope it makes for less heated discussions and arguments between my children and their spouses.   

I am lucky enough not to live alone and to have a fair sized family that don’t live too far away, but I am so aware that for many people Covid-19 will make little difference to Christmas.  As we all get older, many of us will not have to face this predicament, and have not had to for years, because sadly, they will have become used to spending every Christmas day alone.

I started organising the presents and getting them sent to the family I won’t see in November so they will arrive early and I hope to be able to see the wrappings come off courtesy of Zoom or whatever.  As a churchgoer who will not be able to this year, I am of the opinion that Jesus will understand that you can celebrate without having a big birthday party every year and perhaps it is up to us oldies to take the decision out of our children’s hands if we can, so that we can make sure that next Christmas is a happier one because we compromised a little on this one.

OS, Croydon.

LPG found them just in case you need to go over the rules…

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