Why it’s going to be a very different Christmas this year – Hayley Matthews

I was chatting on BBC Radio Scotland during the week discussing how different Christmas is going to be this year with news of lots of things being cancelled.

Christmas cheer might be harder to find this year (Picture: Greg Macvean)

With it being that time of year when the big theatre companies normally start printing out pantomime flyers and announcing to the world what wonderful shows will be on at Christmas, it doesn’t surprise me that there have been some crisis talks from big theatres and talk of the Christmas market being cancelled.

With news of the King’s Theatre cancelling their 2020 Christmas pantomime, things are definitely looking like they’re going to be very different.

I have a lot of friends and ex-colleagues who work in panto and feel terrible for them. It’s the highlight of their work year so thoughts are with them all.

Christmas is definitely that time of year when we like to spoil our kids and spend time socialising. However, I think things will be very strange for a while.

So let’s try to focus on the positives that we have, be it health, family, friends, a roof over our heads or even something as simple as having access to fresh water. Let’s try to not freak out about not getting to the pantomime but instead focus on the true meaning of Christmas and be there for one another.