Our favourite time of the year. And none more so than this Christmas, the one where we didn’t stay at home. The one where we celebrated together with family and friends. The one where days out were plentiful and full of the magic of Christmas time. We have always been Christmas people so to have so much cancelled in 2020 really was disappointing but equally understandable. December 2020 was unlike any other year for so many of us.
I think we can all agree that these last two years have been very different. For most, 2020 was Christmas through a screen, without family and friends. A quiet time was had by all. With the most wonderful snowfall which for our little family made it a truly magical Christmas time.
This year, was therefore filled with excitement and wonder to be spending it together, with family and friends. It felt surreal for us to be spending the run up to Christmas enjoying days out and all the little traditions we longed for in 2020. All of which made Christmas so very special. It wasn’t without it’s worry but equally we all agreed that we would enjoy this time.
Christmas Eve is always our favourite day, steeped in Hargreaves family traditions – from eating out at breakfast time, enjoying the Pantomime with Nanny and then retreating to our favourite Chinese restaurant for a feast. All before we tucked George up for the night and then turn our living space into Santa’s toyshop. This year felt so special.
For me, the days before and the days after were just as lovely as the big day itself. Wrapped up in our little family bubble with the injection of a few friends, many games and laughter along the way.
And then Covid managed to weave it’s way in. With two out of three of us positive, we found ourselves in isolation for days and days. Which slowed down our fun between Christmas and New Year but equally allowed us all to truly slow down, focus on each other, staying healthy whilst drinking and eating our way through isolation. As well as spent far too many hours watching films, series and sessions on Just Dance 22. It was fun. Tough at times but equally thankful that we were all almost unaffected by the virus.
I hope you all had a wonderful time with your loved ones.