I tend to agree with your last sentence...and there's no way I could cope with a Christmas Eve dinner and then a big lunch the next day, I don't know how people do it, and it would seem rude to refuse to eat very much... it's wet here at the moment, very damp, I imagine London would be the same, so it's the time of year for flu viruses... so yes if you're vulnerable, and you clearly are right now, might not be a good thing to travel far.. but we need a degree of optimism in our lives too, so one must carry on and try to find a medium we can live with...

I'm one of those that has virtually given up Christmas,... I'm not religious, we no longer have lunch, or anyone around to visit or stay... and we don't go anywhere else either... we send few Christmas cards and no longer give or receive gifts... pretty miserable you might think, but you know around here I used to give out about 30 cards to local neighbours, and they all gave one back.. it started to seem silly... and we don't have any children around us, family or otherwise so... I think adults can cope with our miserly attitude... I hope so, 'cos there isn't going to be anything else but of course they are welcome to come visit my roses.. those thorny stick insects poking out of the ground … they will get a detailed resumé of each one along the way...

very best wishes to you bart… xx

I hope you holidays turn out the way you want them to Bart! Merry Christmas!

Your sister is doing a awesome thing!

Merry Christmas and Happy holidays everyone!

Bart, some years it is not feasable to travel or host a Christmas get together. Sometimes just hunkering down with a cup of tea and a Christmas movie are the better options as you are recouping .

To me Christmas is about the Celebration of the birth of Christ and it doesnt require any fussiness at all, just a reflection and gratitude for his birth.

Whatever you decide to do, do it without guilt or regret.

Praying for a healthier year for you.

Merry Christmas Bart, and to everyone else. I understand about not being torn about what to do, and you just do what your heart really wants this time. If you think seeing people will be good for you, perhaps you could do so in an “abbreviated” way. If you’re truly dreading it, then I’m sure they will understand. This isn’t the time for obligations or guilt, just what’s best for you. Maybe just picking up a special meal ahead of time and then going out for a nice Christmas drive with your husband, or something similar? You can always make it a special day without over doing it.

Whatever you do, please try to enjoy the day and think positive thoughts. Merry Christmas!

❤️ Lisa

Oh Jeri, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a funnier grin! Perfect! Lisa

I opted out of Christmas when I moved out of home at 15 and I have never regretted it. We have never had a tree or decorations of any kind. My mother-in-law always has a big Christmas lunch for the whole family and even though we lived in the same street as them for over 25 years I still managed to dodge going there for the day by volunteering to change shifts with someone so they could have the day off and I could work.

Now we live far from family and no longer have this terrible obligation to spend Christmas with anyone. We eat fresh prawns (shrimp), and cold ham with salads followed by trifle that I only make once a year. We go swimming before and after lunch, then settle down in the shade to rest and read a book. Nobody visits and we get the day to ourselves. Bliss.

Bart: I hope this is of help. In most parts of the country, CT images can be interpreted remotely, with results relayed to your physician within an hour from when you arose from the table. I wish you the best.

Oops ... Sicily. Missed that.

I'm Jewish, but am not very good at being so. I have avoided Chanukah dinner with my relatives for decades now. I don't like crowds, or everyone competing for airspace on how successful they are, and how much their house is worth. I prefer real conversations, with authentic people of my choosing, on my time. My wife is Christian, and we normally pass up all holidays, trying to give thanks every day for what we have, and giving gifts when the whim comes and not when society tells us too. But this year we did break precedence and went shopping over the internet at Chewy buying the 3 dogs and 3 cats a bunch of toys that we just gave them! Now - that's what I call joy!!! Ho Ho Ho and happy Chanukah to all!

I have many wonderful memories of past Christmases with my family, most of whom are no longer with us. I cherish those memories, but equally cherish just being with my husband and doing nothing special. I enjoyed decorating our little tree and the mantel, but neither of us is religious, and our greatest joy at any time is just being together, often with Jason the cat parked between us, with forays outside to feed and water the wild creatures. So much to be thankful for even though I'm too weak to go anywhere, and with the internet and TV available that really doesn't matter much. bart, I hope that this time of pain and uncertainty will pass quickly, and that the coming year will be all that you long for and so very much deserve.

Warmest happy holiday wishes to all.

Merry Christmas, everybody, and in a way that suits you and is good for the spirit. I woke up this morning expecting no Christmas and found out that DD, knowing I cared about it, had cleaned up and decorated the living room last evening while I was sleeping. Bless her heart, and may she live long and happily.