This time last year, I think all of us hoped that we wouldn’t still be worried about the pandemic during Christmas 2021. By all means, things aren’t anywhere near as bad as they were a year ago, but there’s still a lot of talk on the news about more restrictions and the possibility of Christmas being cancelled yet again. Let’s be honest, it’s not the best way to get excited for the holiday season, especially as much of your life is still being affected by what’s going on around us. Some families are worried about what to do regarding seeing friends or family this year, and there are other common issues – like how you’ll afford Christmas – that are made even worse after another topsy-turvy year. So, I thought I’d put together a short article to help you cope with another Christmas in a pandemic!
Follow the rules
Whatever the rules are where you live – and yes, this can be super confusing knowing what they are – you should do your best to follow them as strictly as you can. Regardless of whether you agree with them, the rules do exist to try and make everyone safe. It’s a good idea to stay updated with alerts on your phone so you never miss one of the many press conferences. Remember, if you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, most of what BoJo says won’t refer to you – we need to check our own local government guidelines.
Save money
Christmas is usually a time to splash the cash and treat those you love. You can still do the second part of this, but it’s a good idea to save money wherever possible. Some of you might already be struggling to pay for Christmas after being laid off or taking a lot of time off work with the virus during the year. While things like payday loans or credit cards could help you, the best approach is to reduce your spending. Find ways to save money this Christmas – like this very cheap Christmas dinner idea from BBC Good Food.
Take regular tests
If you are worried about seeing other people, or having friends and family over your house this Christmas, one way to ease those fears is by taking regular tests. You can order lateral flows or PCRs online and it’s a good idea to take a few in the days leading up to your Christmas gettogether. Get your guests to test as well and you can hold a little party or gathering feeling safe as everyone is negative.
It is sad to think of yet another Christmas in a pandemic, but at least things are more relaxed than they were last year. We currently can still see other people, but it’s still strange to think that 2019 was the last year where we had a proper Christmas. Hopefully, you find these tips helpful and can cope with the festive fun in 2021. Be sure to stay safe and keep your family protected, and you can still have a good one this year.
