This past couple of weeks have been exciting, especially as it’s the run up to Christmas.

Last week at school, we had our usual lessons but a lot of people were off because they were self isolating.|
Most of the classrooms were adorned with festive decorations like paper chains and paper snowflakes and a few days before the end of term there was a Christmas jumper day and a ‘Santa dash’ for charity where we ran for 20 minutes straight wearing all sorts of different seasonal clothing and accessories.Sidmouth Herald: Molly BondMolly Bond (Image: Archant)
My family also made the annual trip to Cotley Farm at Whimple to pick out our Christmas tree. This has become a Christmas tradition but it was very different this year. We had to book our appointment online rather than just turn up and to pay for the tree at the gift shop. We were only allowed to enter two at a time, which meant we couldn’t all go in together as we normally would. To make matters worse there were no mince pies or mulled wine as there has been every other year! And that got me thinking that this was actually the first festive activity that we had taken part in because of coronavirus.

I have found that a lot of people aren’t as excited about Christmas as last year because of the restrictions. However, where I live in Ottery St Mary, many houses have been decorated with festive lights much earlier which has helped me to get into the Christmas spirit and put a smile on my face.
Despite all the downsides of coronavirus, the pandemic has made me more organised and, for the first time at Christmas, I have had people’s presents in my wardrobe, wrapped and with tags on since the middle of October! They are now all under the tree, which has made our home feel that little bit more Christmassy.
I also realise how lucky I am compared to a lot of people and appreciate the technology and gadgets my generation take for granted because they will enable me to say hello to my grandparents, who are shielding, on the big day.