For many families across the UK, Christmas 2020 demanded a level of festive ingenuity never before required. Polly Hudson and her family were no exception, orchestrating what they dubbed "Diffmas" – a determinedly different kind of celebration born from the strict pandemic restrictions of the time.
The 'Diffmas' Dilemma: A Plan Forged in Lockdown
The backdrop was a year defined by isolation. Following the Prime Minister's "stay at home" order in March, Polly's mother, who lived alone, faced months of profound solitude. Her previously vibrant work life, filled with travel and events, had ground to a halt. By December, with tiered rules prohibiting household mixing, the family faced a heartbreaking choice: risk her health by forming a bubble or leave her to spend Christmas completely alone.
The solution was a festive lunch in their small front garden. They would maintain a safe distance but create a semblance of togetherness. To combat the notorious British December weather, they hired a gazebo and outdoor heaters. The dress code involved woolly hats and coats stuffed with hot-water bottles. "It would be fun," Polly insisted, her determination palpable even if her conviction was strained.
A Sitcom Sprung to Icy Life
In execution, the well-intentioned plan unravelled with almost comic precision. The reality was far from the jolly image they had sold, especially to their five-year-old son.
The temperature was arctic. The hired gazebo proved so unstable that it threatened to collapse, forcing the family to take turns holding it steady while attempting to eat one-handed. Manipulating cutlery while wearing gloves became a frustrating challenge. The much-relied-upon outdoor heaters were woefully inadequate, offering scant warmth unless one was practically sitting on them.
A logistical nightmare unfolded as they ferried plates of food from the kitchen at the back of the house to the garden at the front. Spills created a treacherous, slippery obstacle course in the hallway. The chaos culminated in her husband twisting his ankle somewhere between serving the turkey and the Christmas pudding.
The Chilly Aftermath and a New Appreciation
The intended silver lining – simply being in each other's company – was lost to the collective misery of the cold. The true, unexpected bright side emerged only once the ordeal was over.
Returning to the simple comforts of a house with solid walls and a ceiling felt like a profound luxury. The experience forged a lasting gratitude for warm, indoor gatherings and the ease of modern connections like FaceTime, which they vowed never to take for granted again.
While profoundly grateful for the chance to see her mother that year, especially knowing so many were kept apart, the return to a normal, "boring same-old-same-old-mas" was a monumental relief. The memory of Diffmas, however, remains a poignant testament to the extreme lengths families went to for a glimpse of connection during an unprecedented holiday season.
