The ability to get outdoors, to weed the garden, feed the chickens or set off on a 10-mile sprint, is what got most of us through the first lockdown. Fresh air, open space and goodwill will be the saving grace of Christmas, too, albeit with less clement weather and shorter days. Not for decades have we been so grateful to explore and appreciate the countryside on our doorstep.
As households grapple the conundrums of how not to offend relatives and with whom to ‘bubble’, here are 10 reasons to be cheerful during the most restrictive Christmas since wartime.
Walking
The walk (or drive) has become the new holiday, but costs nothing: it has refreshed familiar surroundings, improved fitness, rekindled map-reading and reawakened a yearning to explore. Dogs are thrilled.
Neighbours
The combination of working from home and the natural desire for human contact has shone a light on the people under our noses. It’s brought out the best in them, assuaged loneliness and compensated for the separation from far-flung friends and family.
Holly
Berries are abundant and, now there is very little you can’t learn online, creating Christmas decorations will be extra satisfying.
Mulled wine
There are plenty of excuses for a wee tipple now that socialising has been mostly forced outside.
- RECIPE: Mulled wine made easy
Outings
Many restrictions are in place and look likely to well into 2021, but much of Britain will allow some limited gatherings out and about. Churches have re-opened; galleries and theatres are available to early birds, as are racecourses and sports pitches. Things won't be the same as normal, but it'll all be better than nothing.
Carol singing
Happily, it’s permitted outside, politicians perhaps harkening to potential mass dissent if they had, Scrooge-like, banned it. Good news for those stuck indoors: King’s College Cambridge is recording the annual concert early and it’ll still be magical.
Smaller turkeys
Reduced gatherings should renew interest in eating native breeds, reared free range — it’s the best way to preserve them. Local food producers have had a good year, relatively speaking, a trend we hope continues.
Fewer hangovers
No office parties or New Year shenanigans could be a game-changer. Forget the dismal crash-diet — there’s not much call for the little black dress.
Deliveries
Never has the delivery driver, postman and the rubbish collector been so appreciated. Please tip generously.
Respect for elders
Some, incarcerated in care, have had a terrible year, but they’re not forgotten. Cards and calls, and whatever visits and contact is allowed, will be crucial. They must come first this Christmas.
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Barbour’s heritage jackets get a floral makeover courtesy of ErdemUtilitarian outwear has taken the fashion world by storm and now Britain's world-famous wax jackets are getting in on the act, inspired by some of our greatest countryside icons.
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Brockfield Hall, the great Yorkshire house that's gone from Regency mansion to modern family homeBrockfield Hall in North Yorkshire is the family home of Charlie Wood and Hatta Byng, editor of House & Garden, who have transformed it since they came here in 2020, winning multiple awards in the process. John Martin Robinson reports on the restoration project that revived this compact Regency house as a modern family home. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
