But different doesn’t necessarily mean worse, and I know a few people who have already commented on the potential joy of not having the in laws round!

Our little Granny Elf is busy working away on lots of festive activity sheets to keep all our mini-mumblers busy!  We’ll uploads links tho them here as soon as we have word from the North Pole!

So what will Christmas look like this year?  The big Christmas parties and family gatherings certainly won’t be going ahead!  So we have to think a little outside the box this year, and here are some of the brilliant ideas  on how you can celebrate Christmas with your loved ones near or far

1. Send a Christmas Eve Care Package

In my family, my favourite thing to do is get all cosy in my pj’s and watch a Christmas film like Arthur Christmas (family classic – definitely recommend and children friendly), normally whilst still wrapping a few last-minute gifts!

If I cannot be with my family this year, at least we could all be snuggled up and watching the same movie even if we are miles apart.

In your care package, you could include some hot chocolate and marshmallows, chocolate coins, a new pair of pj’s and your favourite movie.

2. Play a free online Christmas game together or a game of Scrabble (extra points for every word that is connected to Christmas)

3. Send something to Bake

You can send a jar of all the dry ingredients so they can make Christmas Cookies, Gingerbread People, Tiffin, Rocky Road etc. You could even do it together through skype so it feels more like Christmas Baking together.

4. Send something to Make

How about a kit of something Christmas themed to make? A needlefelt Christmas Pudding?

5. Send an ornament for their tree or a decoration for their home

If making is not their thing, you could make them one yourself or buy one to send.

6. Make or Buy a Christmas Card and send

I’m usually awful at sending Christmas cards, but I’ll definitely be doing it this year (especially given I already bought them in the January sales!)

7. Christmas Movies Countdown

There are always loads on Netflix and my mum and I often watch the same ones and then discuss it afterwards, so why not make it a weekly event?

You could play Christmas Movie Bingo whilst watching too!

8. A memory advent calendar

Make your own advent calendar but instead of Chocolate (!) or a picture behind the window, write a favourite memory from a Christmas you have shared in the past or a tradition you share. Favourite toy? Worst Christmas present? Funniest thing you can remember? Favourite Christmas Song? It might be an advent calendar they will keep and treasure year after year.

9. Visit Santa Virtually

The beauty of the internet is that everything is accessible!  And if you can’t go to see Santa – then maybe he can come to see you!

10. Virtual Christmas Party

We’re all use to the good old Zoom parties now.  Imagine the Zoom Christmas Parties!

11.  Support Local

Remember its our small, local businesses that have been hit hard over lockdown.  Buy your presents, food and drink all locally.