Really quite sad, ds is going to be alone for Christmas.

[OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow]

Ok, he's a grown up,but still. He moved away a few years ago, shared house with friends. Had to work last year, but so did his housemates. Got stiffed on the rota this year too, but everyone else is either going home or has moved elsewhere. He may be working Christmas Day, but def before and Boxing Day, so can't come home (we live about two hours away) we can't go there as dh is only off Christmas Day. I know it's only one day, and first world problem, but oh, I do feel sorry for him. ☹️(And we'll miss him)

And yeah, I have lived in a multicultural city, above my Muslim landlord's corner shop. And being a disorganised 20 something, it was absolutely fab that he had his shop open on Christmas Day for emergency supplies. But no one, whatever their religion, should be compelled to work on Christmas Day in a non essential job.

Are you hinting that non-practising Christians and non-Christians should be made to observe Christmas Day, nay have it disrupt their own lives

Closing the local multi plex on Christmas Day is hardly making them observe Christmas. They seem to accept fine that shops are closed and public transport is off. We respect their traditions and don't expect Chinese restaurants etc to open at their New Year. I'm quite sure non of the minority non Christian groups would expect Christian people to miss out on a family Christmas Day just in case someone wanted a non essential trip to the cinema

I think what has got some people confused is that if they support you on this thread then they are also having to realise that childless people may well have lives and plans and so therefore can’t always work at Christmas!!l!

The OP’s son is not being compelled to work on Christmas Day, though. He has very thoughtfully offered to do so (because he’s going to be working on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day anyway), presumably so that someone else who wants to can celebrate Christmas. Very kind of him, and a totally different scenario.

I understand exactly how you feel, This year DS1 will be with us, DS2 will be hundreds of miles away with his wife and son who will be 1 on the 27th. DD lives about 10 miles away but wants a quiet Christmas day at home with herself, her DH and their baby, none of us drive so we can't go down to them , they live in a tiny flat so no room for us to stay with them. I am looking forward to skyping them on Christmas day and we'll see DD immediately before and after Christmas but we'll have to wait until we can afford the train fare before we see DS2

I didn't realise cinemas in the UK opened today. The Vue's in London are closed.