How Europeans are celebrating Christmas this year

How to achieve a jolly – and a jolly safe Christmas?

Governments across Europe are trying to navigate that question.

Here’s what different countries are doing.

Italians will not be able to attend a midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

Pope Francis’s Christmas Eve Mass will start two hours earlier,

allowing the limited number of people who can attend to be home by 10 p.m.

"The Netherlands is closing down.”

This was Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte saying "the Netherlands is closing down" for a tough five-week lockdown and a limit of three adult visitors per household.

Germany will close beauty salons and most stores,

leaving only essential shops open, from December 16 until at least January 10.

{German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier}: "Our public and private lives will be more restricted than ever in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany."

Up to 10 people from two households, that's not counting children, will be allowed to gather over the Christmas holidays.

{Shopper}: "For me Christmas is about love, there don't need to be any presents. And unfortunately this year that is forbidden, and that's very sad."

The country's traditional Christmas markets were called off this year

but drive-through options have been popping up across the country.

{Visitor 1}: "It's a lovely idea. We like it a lot."

{Visitor 2}: "Unusual ideas for unusual times."

{Visitor 1}: "You have to try it out when something like this is offered. I think it's an original idea. But let's see what's still to come. The kids are in the back and they seem to be having fun."

In Austria there will be no Christmas markets this holiday season, but skiing will be allowed from December 24.

{Skier}: "Everything is closed, hotels and the restaurants are not allowed to open. With only the lifts open, there will not be much going on on the slopes with just the locals skiing."

In Britain up to three households will be allowed to meet at home from December 23 until December 27.

People will be able to meet in places of worship and in outdoor public places, but not at indoor hospitality or entertainment venues.

{Resident}: "It's crap because I've got two hospitality businesses close by and basically I'm going to have to close both of them. So it's not good."