We called it “diffmas” because it was going to be a different kind of Christmas. Our son was five, so we wanted to make it sound fun for him. But we probably would have tried to spin it that way anyway, after the year we’d had—and by “we,” I don’t just mean my family, but everyone.
It was 2020. Back in March, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced we “must stay at home,” it left my mum completely alone. She’d lived by herself since my dad died in 2012, and like so many others, she spent months in isolation. Her work used to involve traveling all over the country for meetings, events, and networking. Then lockdown hit, and everything stopped. She managed with Zoom like everyone else, but it was really hard for her.
By December, the rules in our area—whatever tier or category it was called then—banned mixing unless you were in a “bubble.” We didn’t want to risk giving my mum Covid after keeping her safe for so long, but we couldn’t bear the thought of her spending Christmas alone. So, we came up with diffmas.
The plan was to have a cheerful lunch safely spaced out in our small front garden. To fend off the freezing December cold and possible rain, we rented a gazebo and some outdoor heaters. We’d wear woolly hats instead of paper crowns and tuck hot-water bottles inside our coats. “It’ll be fun,” I insisted through gritted teeth. Diffmas!
In reality, it felt like an episode of a particularly corny sitcom. It was bitterly cold, the gazebo was so wobbly we had to take turns holding it steady while eating one-handed, and maneuvering cutlery with gloves on was tricky. The outdoor heaters were useless—they barely warmed anyone unless you were practically sitting on them, and even then, only a little. Running plates of food from the kitchen at the back of the house to the front garden led to spills, turning the hallway into a slippery obstacle course. Somewhere between the turkey and the Christmas pudding, my husband twisted his ankle.
The silver lining should have been that we were together, but we were mostly just freezing and miserable. The unexpected bright side was how thrilled we were to finally go back inside—with walls and a ceiling—and stay home again. We never took warm, cozy FaceTime calls for granted after that. And while I’m grateful I got to see my mum that Christmas, especially when so many were separated from their loved ones, it was a huge relief when things finally returned to normal and we could go back to the same old Christmas—a thought we’ve never even been tempted to put a name to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the topic My strangest Christmas I insisted through clenched teeth that eating outside would be fun
General Beginner Questions
Q What is this topic about
A Its about a personal memorable Christmas story where the narrator stubbornly pushed for an unconventional outdoor holiday meal despite it likely being uncomfortable or difficult
Q What does through clenched teeth mean in this context
A It means the person was insisting on the idea while feeling tense frustrated or determined not genuinely happy or relaxed about it They were forcing the cheerfulness
Q Why would eating outside be considered strange for Christmas
A For many Christmas is associated with cozy warm indoor gatherings Eating outside in winter can be cold messy and logistically challenging breaking tradition
Q Is this based on a real story
A While phrased like a personal anecdote its presented as a relatable scenario many people might experience when trying to create a unique holiday memory
Deeper Advanced Questions
Q What are the potential benefits of doing something unconventional like this for a holiday
A It can create a unique unforgettable family story break the monotony of routine build resilience and shift focus from perfect presents to shared experience
Q What are the common problems or challenges with a winter outdoor meal
A Cold food cold people wind rain or snow unstable furniture insects limited daylight and the general difficulty of serving and eating comfortably
Q What does this story say about family dynamics during the holidays
A It highlights how one persons determined vision can clash with others comfort the pressure to create perfect moments and the humor found in shared adversity
Q Can you give examples of similar strange holiday twists
A Sure Examples include having a beachthemed Christmas in a cold climate doing a gift scavenger hunt instead of exchanging gifts under the tree or volunteering instead of having a traditional feast
Practical Reflective Questions
Q How could you make an outdoor Christmas meal actually successful
A Plan thoroughly use patio heaters fire pits and blankets serve hot food in thermal containers keep the menu simple and
