Xmas was a grim time here in the UK and probably most of the world. Postal deliveries were interrupted and so cards and presents did not reach their destinations, the virus infection rates were still going up (and indeed today are hitting an all time high), tv was just terrible (we had Morecambe and Wise, the Two Ronnies, Blankety Blank and all the usual films, including all day Carry Ons.)
It seemed there was nothing to look forward to. New Year celebrations should really not be going ahead.
And the weather has been dreadful, with storms and snow (so it was officially a white Xmas).