To wonder is it better to meet parents at home or out for the first time?

[EvieR]

The caveat is my boyfriend of a year has met my mum but not my dad yet. So really it's meeting him for the first time.

Either we:

1. Have dinner out and see the Xmas lights etc in local area. Less focus on conversation/each other maybe

2. Have food here and watch a favourite Xmas movie. More relaxed?

Would you have any preference?

I think I would go with out.

However, I have literally never dated as an adult I’ve been with DH since I was a teen and we got married when I was 18 so my mum and met him in the general course of school life.

Watching a movie doesn't sounds either relaxing or a good way to get to know someone a little bit.

Invite them round for dinner, by all means, but surely conversation is the way to get to know new people.

I agree with everyone else though, going to an event (maybe a light trail or a Christmas market) is probably less intimidating in the first place and gives everyone something else to focus on in lulls in the conversation.

@NewName24 I know what you're saying

As a family we've gone through a hard time this winter and we're all emotionally exhausted. I'm looking for ways to find a balance where we can just take it easy but also chat.

If you do host then get some games rather than a movie (herd mentality, quiz games etc) it will help break any ice

Why would you introduce people who've never met & then sit in silence & watch a film?
Surely the point of them meeting is to chat & get to know each other