Talking to a few people today, I think we have reached the point where the rules will simply be ignored. I am not commenting on the validity of the rule of six, but want to give two examples:
My mum, a pensioner who has never broken the law in her life, says she will have six guests (so 7 people including her) for Christmas lunch, regardless of what the law says
My boss, again someone who as far as I know is completely law abiding (and challenges people who drop litter) is trying to suggest ways of 'gaming' the rules so that we can celebrate a colleague's retirement with eight people. Current ideas include a game of cricket (since sport is allowed, although we would have to find a cricket bat from somewhere as none of us has played for years), two picnics of four people that happen to take place in the same park at the same time, or a celebration at the boss's house where she will hire two of us as caterers/waiters so we are classed as 'working'.
I know two is a small sample, but I've only spoken to three people today! The point is that if normal, law abiding middle aged/pension aged people are looking for ways around the rules, the rules will not succeed.