I am not sure if we are allowed to mention it but I have been reminded about it over the last few days... Apparently it is doing the rounds again!.
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So far I have received a brochure from there local garden centre that has switched from plants to tat..
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And one full of those useful gadgets you use once and then leave to gather dust...
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So what's this epidemic? It's CHRISTMAS!
You’re back. For how long this time? Christmas? Ba humbug. It can’t be that soon as my husband hasn’t started reading Christmas Carol yet. He reads it every year without fail. I’ve tried hiding the book but he always finds it.
Sainsbury’s are selling mincepies to help you want to get in the mood !
They are also most expensive supermarket in UK! Getting to that time of the year again? Although🎃🎃 is almost here!
Waitrose can give Sainsburys a run as the most ecpensive.
You haven't been in an M&S Simply Food then!
Not in Northern Ireland they can't🙄 [or Morrison's] although we get adverts for them all the time!🤬🤬
😂 mate I’ve already watched Muppets Christmas Carol twice - my ultimate Christmas movie.
I think mentioning Christmas in October is definitely ok😊
🤣🤣🎄
😂😂
I hate Christmas hate seeing all the happy family adverts everyone sitting round dining having fun. It’s not like that for hundreds of people and quite a few on here I imagine, me included completely alone and adds to our anxiety and depression, for those of us are able to get out and about still have nowhere to go as all little groups shut down for Xmas as people who run them rightfully want to be at home with their families, sorry for the downer but it upsets me so much 😩😢
Is there any chance other people (even just one other person) in the groups you attend in the same situation could get together at Christmas? might be an option, doesn’t have to be a big Christmas dinner just a little get together? I’m just wondering if this may help in a very small way? I totally apologise if I am oversimplifying your situation. It sounds very difficult. ❤️
Would you believe it No ! They’ve either got brothers/sisters children or grand children
I did think I was oversimplifying things. ❤️
No problem it was kind of you to bother thank you x
Do they all know you will be alone? I find it difficult to believe. We always scooped up the loners and included them. A cousin always refused because she helped out at a centre serving meals on Christmas Day. Maybe you could do the same?
If you are on your local Next Door group, put out feelers to see if others are in a similar situation, and maybe meet up in a local cafe and arrange something between you all! Your local council will have details of social groups, or older peoples lunch club etc. You have to go and find things-if you stay at home and not say anything, no-one can know! I don't mean to preach, but there IS a lot of help out there. Do you have dogs-your name is a give-away, so there is a big intro into meeting others, however old we are!
12 ways to beat loneliness
Feeling lonely affects many of us, and the pandemic has made things worse for some people. We suggest practical ways you can connect with others.
Half a million older people go most of the week without seeing or speaking to anyone, according to the Campaign to end Loneliness. They also say the numbers of over-50s experiencing loneliness could climb to 2 million by 2025/26, and loneliness can be seen as a serious health concern.
Loneliness has been linked to higher blood pressure and depression, and an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
If you enjoy a good read, you might enjoy being part of a book club
Having a heart condition, or other health condition, can sometimes contribute to loneliness, for example if you’ve had to give up work or other activities you enjoy.
Here are ideas for things you can do to help you feel less lonely.
1. Take up a new hobby
The University of the Third Age (U3A) runs classes and groups for retired and semi-retired people on a broad range of topics, such as wine tasting, botany, scrabble, history and kitchen gardening. These are usually held in somebody’s home, a local library or community centre.
Find courses and classes at the University of Third Age.
2. Volunteer for a good cause
Volunteering If there’s a charity or organisation you support, why not volunteer to help it? It can be a great opportunity to get out of the house, meet new people and feel useful. Charity shops play an important role raising funds for good causes and often need an extra pair of hands.
3. Make friends through the Silver Line
The Silver Line is free and confidential. You can call to talk to them about how you're feeling or anything else you'd like to.
If you like, they can put you in touch with Silver Line friends, so you'll receive a weekly friendship call or the Silver Circle to take part in a regular group call on subjects that interest the group.
There's also the Silver Letters service, which allows you to exchange regular letters and correspondence from a volunteer Silver Line friend.
Get in touch with the Silver Line. Call free on 0800 4 70 80 90
We provide friendship, conversation and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
4. Get into books
If you enjoy a good read, you might enjoy being part of a book club. It can be fun and mentally stimulating to discuss books with like-minded people.
You could set up your own group, and meet up every month, taking turns to host it in your house and provide snacks. Otherwise, you can ask your local council or librarian if they know of existing book clubs.
If you just want to read with others around you, most libraries provide access and facilities for the elderly and people with limited mobility. There’s usually a selection of audio books and large print books, and many libraries hold readings and events too.
5. Gardening
If looking after your garden has become too strenuous, it doesn’t mean that your gardening days are over. Schemes such as Garden Buddies and Garden Friends match people over the age of 60 with volunteers who’ll help with your garden. It’s a great way to get some fresh air and gentle exercise, and rewarding to grow your own flowers or vegetables.
Find a volunteer through Garden Buddies.
6. Board games Board games can be a great way to interact with other people and have a bit of fun. Many of the classic board games that we enjoyed in our youth are still popular – anyone for Scrabble, Monopoly, backgammon or a good puzzle?
You can enjoy a good board game at any age. Some are available with larger pieces, in case you’re not as nimble fingered or your sight isn’t as good as it once was. You should be able to find details of local clubs online. Otherwise, the Royal Voluntary Service runs activity and board game events, and they can tell you if there are any in your area. Libraries also keep jigsaws to borrow.
See the 250 Scrabble clubs registered in the UK.
Search for Royal Voluntary Service social clubs in your area.
Find board games designed for older people.
7. Join a Heart Support Group. Heart Support Groups are friendly, supportive local groups for people with heart conditions and their families.
Activities vary between different groups, but typically include exercise classes tailored for people with heart conditions, and talks about different topics.
8. Go to the cinema
The allure of visiting the cinema and watching a great movie never fades. Most of the big cinemas have special screenings for older people at discounted rates, and some also provide free hot drinks and biscuits, so you can have a chat and make the occasion a little more sociable.
Showings tend to be during the day and they tend to play movie classics and modern movies chosen to suit the audience. There are usually facilities for people with restricted mobility, and some cinemas provide audio descriptions and/or sub-titles or hearing devices.
9. Keep in contact online
If your friends or family live far away or you can’t go out to meet them, programmes such as Skype can help you to keep in touch. Skype allows you to video call someone for free, wherever they are in the world (as long as you both have internet access) so you can see them when you talk.
Whether you want to keep in touch with old friends or meet new people, there are social media sites designed especially for older people, such as Older is Wiser and you can chat to other people with heart conditions on the BHF online community.
There are lots of courses that teach people to use the computer and internet, and you’ll also get to meet other ‘older pupils’ who are learning as well. Libraries also provide free lessons to older people.
10. Borrow a dog
If you’re a dog lover, but don’t have the space, time or money to have your own, then ‘dog borrowing’ might be just the thing for you. Maybe a friend or neighbour has a dog they’d like to get a walk and some company during the day. Alternatively, you can sign up to a dog-borrowing scheme, such as Borrow my Doggy, which puts you in touch with local dog owners looking for someone to walk their dog, keep it for the day or even a weekend.
It’s a great motivation for you to go to the park and get some exercise, and it’s an easy way to meet other dog owners. There are also groups for dog walkers that you can join.
This is taken from the BHF website- it is useful for many people, so I posted it for those as well as you, dogloverxthree. I hope maybe there will be something which takes your fancy! Good luck!
Thank you , lots of helpful information, but I have chronic pain from a bad bypass surgery 2019 and osteo arthritis so my walking is I limited. I do drive and go to local coffee mornings but it is weekends and holiday times especially Xmas I find so awful when the people I know then go to their friends and family I know there are people far worse than me
Brought me a smile too thank you as I may well be in early stages of AVR recovery this Christmas which will be a very different sort of present, and def one that wont gather any dust after one use lolX
🤣🤣
🤣 you had me there Michael up to tat! I was about to reply saying Still Banned 🙈
But could never ban Christmas 🎅🏻 🎄 🎁
Morning Michael! OK, you've got away with it this time, but mention it again and I might have to report you lol x
I've already started buying presents 😲.
Only because I've got 4 children, plus their partners, 10 grandchildren, extended family and friends to buy for, so I have to start early.
And this year my son in law's sister is over from Mumbai to attend university to study for her masters degree, so that's another to add to the list.
Thank goodness for online shopping 😁.
Son in laws sister? I couldn’t afford to buy for that sort of extended family. Can’t you cut down a little in these difficult times?
I don't spend a great deal, I just try to put a lot of thought into each gift.
Lol! 😂
Brilliant
Sometime in the early 1960s, my parents left me home alone to go and visit relatives on Boxing Day. My excuse was that I felt ill. No way were they going to miss the party.
I found a bottle of rum: may have been my best Christmas ever - I don't remember.
I haven't stopped watching Christmas films, there's a dedicated TV channel 🤦
what is C,C,B and Ivabradine
C diff
Hi, I’m new to the forum just after some wise words 
Speak in code if you need mental support for the C issue
List of words and initials we all use 
