Social media users call for an ‘Aussie-style’ Xmas, which we can all enjoy when vaccinated in mid-2021

From barbeque lunches to solstice festive parties, Brits imagine what Christmas in the summer might look like

Santa on a beach – what a summer Christmas could look like (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

To help limit the spread of coronavirus, many are calling for Christmas to be postponed to the middle of next year.

Dame Esther Rantzen said on BBC radio this morning that she would be moving her Christmas to next summer.

“The best gift we can offer our families this Christmas is to refuse to meet them,” she wrote in her Daily Mail column Tuesday. “That’s what I’ve done, and although it wasn’t easy, I believe it’s time for us older people to be brave and firm, and tell our families to stay away.”

“Why don't we knock Xmas 2020 on the head – then have a mahoosive, week-long Bank Holiday in summer, when we've got the vaccine? Just, for one year only, have a summer Christmas?,” wrote author Caitlin Moran on Twitter.

Numerous social media users are settling on June for their summer Christmas celebrations. “A summer solstice party instead of dreary cold wet Christmas weather would be amazing!,” tweeted Samantha Simpson.

Number 10’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has said in November that “planning a summer family get together could replace meeting at Christmas".

Due to Southern Hemisphere seasons, December falls in Australian summer, and Aussies have altered their traditions to suit the hot climate.

“It rules. Kids can play outside once they’ve woken up at dawn to open presents. Plenty of dishes can be served cold. You might be lucky enough to start or finish the day with a swim,” said Ben Reframethat on Twitter.

“Christmas trees, decorations, sh*t T-shirts instead of jumpers etc. All out in the summer. BBQ Xmas lunch,” said another Twitter user.

Meanwhile, communities secretary Robert Jenrick said Easter would be better for our celebrations: "Easter can be the new Christmas,” he said, urging that people should use their "personal judgment" on whether it was sensible to meet over the festive period.

Boris Johnson has resisted pressures from devolved nation ministers to tighten up coronavirus restrictions ahead of Christmas. 

Labour leader Kier Starmer stated that saving lives should be our priority over the festive season. “No one wants to celebrate Christmas under tougher restrictions, but protecting people's lives, the NHS and the economy has to be our priority,” he wrote on Twitter. “The government must review the planned relaxation of restrictions, and ensure businesses have adequate support.”

“Why risk the physical, financial and emotional health of an entire nation for a handful of days?” said Twitter user Paul Mosson, “We need to avoid a third wave!”

Those arguing that Christmas is more than a day include TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp, “Christmas is not about one day, it’s not about the 25 December. It’s a light on the horizon for so many who have been separated since March, and who cannot wait until next summer before seeing each other. Time has never been on our side and it never will be,” she wrote on Twitter.

A relaxation of coronavirus tier rules over Christmas is still expected to go ahead between 23 and 27 December, which allows three households in England to meet and two to meet in Scotland and Wales.

Wales has also announced that after the festivities it would go back into lockdown on December 28.