But plenty of other people got involved.
The prime minister had just announced a historic trade deal with the EU, delivering Brexit just before we were due to leave without a deal at the end of the year.
So we assume he was probably busy after his press conference this evening – not to mention the final preparations for Christmas Day itself.
But… we were expecting him to show up to ring a bell for Father Christmas at 6pm, and he didn’t appear.
Cameramen were outside Downing Street for him to come outside and make some noise for the man in red, but the door remained closed.
What if Santa doesn’t make it now?
Luckily, some other people showed up for the festive ding dong, so we assume the reindeer got the message.
The bellring was designed to give some community spirit at the end of a tough year, with organisers hoping it would make people feel less alone.
It was launched on Facebook by Mary Beggs-Reid from Harrogate in North Yorkshire and has since received the backing of famous names such as fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore, actor Michael Sheen.
Boris Johnson also gave his backing – but didn’t make it outside.
The two-minute event saw many families head out on to the doorstep to jingle bells in solidarity with those spending Christmas alone.
Posting on Facebook before the event, Ms Beggs-Reid wrote: ‘We can not physically be together but we can ring together! A chance for us to feel connected and have a happy memory of 2020.’
Among those to take part were staff at Dorset County Hospital, which tweeted: ‘We’re ending 2020 with a bit of magic, hope and togetherness!’
Meanwhile, dramatic scenes on a street in Egremont in Cumbria saw neighbours line the pavements as a motorcade of festively decorated lorries drove past.
Others used the event to say thank you to frontline workers.
Charity campaigner Billy Ray Mansell dressed as Spider-Man as he got involved, dedicating the bell-ringing to staff at Mid and South Essex hospitals.
And children at Glasgow Children’s Hospital also took part, with the hospital’s charity tweeting: ‘We couldn’t be prouder of our hospital heroes who have worked with infinite dedication throughout this difficult year.’
Ms Beggs-Reid’s campaign started as a Facebook group which has since attracted nearly 500,000 likes, eventually prompting the Prime Minister to get in touch.
Mrs Beggs-Reid, a 41-year-old estate agent, said: ‘I think it’s fantastic that the Prime Minister is getting behind an everyday mum like me and trying to help communities as much as we can.’
She added: ‘Especially with the recent news, this is more needed now than ever.’
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