What will Christmas be like?
A few members of the SAGE committee suggested that Christmas should be moved to the summer to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus pandemic further.
The suggestion received very little support, and a Daily Express poll showed that readers had no sympathy with the idea.
So what will Christmas be like?
Boris Johnson did say that the rule of 6 restriction should last at least six months, although there will almost certainly be a temporary easing of restrictions over the Christmas period. One suggestion that is widely supported is for the four nations of the UK to agree a joint plan for the period. With more than one million students likely to return to their families over Christmas, and cases recorded at 118 Universities, many are organising large scale testing to ensure that students are able to return.
While we still have no guidelines in place, many people are delaying making their Christmas plans, or trying to remain flexible. One survey found that most people expect to spend Christmas with their immediate family only, with less than 10% expecting to celebrate with extended family.
Christmas falls on a Friday this year, so many people are likely to be at several small gatherings over the course of four days, rather than a one day celebration involving larger numbers.
Many traditional activities such as Pantomimes, Christmas markets and the workplace party are less likely to take place this year.
Will people be able to afford to spend on Christmas?
Redundancies and financial insecurity will limit the spending power of many this year and almost 40% of people expect to spend less compared to previous years.
However some retailers are optimistic about their prospects of a good Christmas, John Lewis among them.
There is evidence that the gap between high and low earners has widened. Many office workers who have been working from home have saved on their commuting costs and their spending in pubs and restaurants. Many have not taken holidays abroad, avoided leisure travel within Britain and spent less on football matches and entertainment.
Shops are hoping that the money they have saved will translate into new laptops, TV’s, mobile phones and household items.
What will we be spending on?
The supermarkets are expecting people to spend similar amounts to last year, or slightly less on groceries. There are likely to be changes to what we buy. Frozen food sales were increasing before the second lockdown, and this trend looks likely to continue when buying Christmas food. And the Turkeys will be smaller! Perhaps surprisingly sales of Christmas decorations are expected to hold up well as people prepare to show them off on Zoom calls or post photographs of their Christmas tree on Facebook.
For the rest of retail, much will depend on the extent to which lockdown restrictions are eased.
The most optimistic projections are for electrical goods, kitchenware and some types of toys (especially puzzles and board games). Book sellers are also optimistic. It’s difficult to be optimistic about fashion sales though!
