It’s looking more and more likely that there will still be some restrictions in place come this Christmas. We are just entering our second lockdown, in the hope some restrictions will be lifted by Christmas. Fingers Crossed!
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!
Firstly – seeing Santa! A few of our local attractions have had to cancel their visits from the big man, but there are plenty of places he’s still planning to visit. For more information go to our Where to See Santa 2020 Blog and for Festive Days out in the area check out our Christmas Holiday Listings.
For some great Christmas gift ideas see our latest blog here.
Our little Granny Elf Vicky is busy working away on lots of festive activity sheets to keep all our mini-mumblers busy! You can find them all here – you can download them and print them at home for free! How cute are they?
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.
Support Local
Remember its our small, local businesses that have been hit hard over lockdown. Buy your presents, food and drink all locally. Since I moved to Harrogate my parents have been receiving a local hamper from me filled with yummy Harrogate treats. Long may this tradition continue.
If you’re local to Harrogate you’ll know how important Commerical Street is – this little street is crammed with over 22 unique independent shops, where expert friendly service and incredible value abound! The Cheeseboard is one of my favourite shops in Harrogate!
For Christmas gift ideas check out our local listings here.
Send a Christmas Care Package
Now my brother and I are older, with our own families – we don’t always get to see each other on Christmas Day, but we always set a side a day before or after Christmas to meet up – with our parents too for our Faux Christmas. I don’t think this is going to be possible, both my brother and husband are key workers and our parents are high risk so will no doubt be shielding.
So this year I’m sending everyone a little Christmas Care package, that everyone can open at the same time. I thought we could all open these and watch a Christmas Movie “together”. 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. Or how about go all out and send a hamper? Our lovely friends at The Harrogate Hamper produce some amazing hampers which showcase some of Harrogate’s finest produce!
Christmas Doorstep Photos
Doorstep photography became a thing in the last lockdown, and now we’re in lockdown 2.0, what better idea than getting a lovely photo of you and all your family together in your finest Christmas Clobber! We got one done this morning by local photographer Boo Boo Photography. A great keep sake and also perfect Christmas Presents for the Grandparents who haven’t been able to see my LG much this year! You don’t need to get a photographer to do i – a selfie stick or tripod, some Christmas decorations and you’re away!
Send something to Bake or make
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. Every year we make a Rocky Road Christmas pudding! These are so easy to make and really easy to store and send. In fact if you want some Christmas baking ideas, that the whole family can join in check out our Christmas Baking Blog.
If baking isn’t your thing, how about a kit of something Christmas themed to make? A needle felt Christmas Pudding?
If cooking or making isn’t your thing, what about sending a take away? It’s a great way to support a local restaurant and also a brilliant gift! Local restaurant William and Victoria recently shared a post about someone sending their older relative who was shielding a roast dinner – it was lovely! For local food deliveries see our listings here.
Virtual Reality
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! 
We’re all use to the good old Zoom parties now. Imagine the Zoom Christmas Parties!
Every Christmas Eve I do a Christmas Quiz for my family – we usually have Grandparents, cousins and Aunts and Uncles round. Its great fun and I’m gutted we might not be able to do this this year, but if we can’t all be together then my Christmas Quiz will be doing virtual! If you’d like some idea for quiz questions check out our Mumbler Quiz blog or our very own Mumbler Quizmas Quiz from last year!
Don’t forget The Christmas Eve Jingle at 6pm on Christmas Eve too! How amazing to think everyone across the world will be doing the same thing!
Merry Christmas from everyone at Harrogate Mumbler! If you’d like to be included in this blog please contact us on [email protected]
