Tbh if I was ill, last thing I would want is xmas at my house! I would still feel like a host even if I wasn't for the day and I couldn't just leave if I was tired and enjoy the solitude of my house for a bit in between visits as thats where people will be congregated etc. And the mess and clean up! No thanks. Some people do Christmas different, you have to realise her parents are split and she has a long time partner too who has a family he probably would like to see too. They've probably been doing christmas this way for some time and Lucy said normally she hosts every year for her sisters on boxing day but can't this year. Some people prefer to have a chill afternoon and see family in the evening, some prefer visits done with by 5pm. Depends on the family traditions. Someone will be missing out. I don't think her mother is that sick or near her death bed, she looks and sounds well enough to be doing everyday things.