Drinks with neighbours on Christmas eve..or is that family time?

[Justjoinedforthis]

We have such nice neighbours and ever year I mean to have them over for christmas drinks but always bottle it. I was thinking of a few drinks at 6ish on christmas eve, but wondered if most people would be busy or consider that family time?
I know everyone is different. I always think of Xmas eve as more for friends.

Go for it! After covid I'd accept an invite to a pencil factory

Invite them. We have open house on Xmas eve. Everyone we know knows they are welcome for a drink and a gossip. My brother comes to borrow sticky tape

It also depends how diverse your neighbours are. Our friends are Swedish and celebrate Christmas Eve as the big family day.

But it's a lovely idea, and they can only say no.

Surely there are no rules?
Invite whoever you like!

I’d do an open house type thing and keep it short ish. These things can run over and before you know it, people can be half pissed and you are clock watching at 10 pm!

I completely de-christmas the house on Boxing Day

😳 But.... Boxing Day is the best day

Everyone is different. I'd love the offer. You can only ask and offer an alternative if it doesn't suit.

I wouldn't fancy it at 6 - 3 or 4pm would be better for us. Or a different day even better.

I am now completely sidetracked by the fact you completely de-Christmas the house on Boxing Day!! Is there a reason?

Re drinks, I would say maybe early doors on Christmas Eve but 23rd would be better (would usually agree with 27/28 but not if you will be de-Christmased!)

But.... Boxing Day is the best day
It’s the best day BECAUSE you get to de-Christmas all the shit. Recycle wrapping and boxes, put the decorations away, tree on the compost heap, first of the 9,000 hooverings, big bracing icy walk, finish the leftovers and treats and leave the cupboards gloriously puritanical – after which your house feels TEN TIMES BIGGER. Forget “don’t move, improve” – getting rid of the Christmas is the best most home-improving thing you can do, and miles cheaper than a kitchen extension.

(I’m a lot of fun, really.)

No way! All decorations stay up till 12th Night here, the house looks so sad and empty when they go.

Just remember that Christmas Eve is a working day so if you have it early. your neighbours might still be at work.

Very much depends on their age and family commitments.

Right now if invited we'd be a no, but 4 years ago we did this with our neighbour a few times, it was great! I'd invite and they can always say no!

I think it depends I’d not wish to come on Xmas eve but I’d do before that Ie 23rd or the weekend before. However I’d feel rude to decline so would come for a couple and hide the fact I wasn’t very happy.

Xmas eve for us is wrapping presents, preparing for Xmas day etc,

For me I'd be too busy with my own Christmas preparations on Christmas Eve (because I host on Christmas Day) but for the last few years we have had a drinks party for our neighbours between Christmas and New Year (not last year obs).

I think it just depends on what people do but it's a lovely idea and I know our neighbours really like it 🎄

Ask them!! Saying in advance that they're welcome over for a Christmas drink 6-7pm sounds perfect. The only time I'd say no is if I had small children like I do at the moment, but 3 years ago pre kids I'd have said yes

By 6-7 do you mean drinking between 6 and 7 or arriving between 6 and 7? I would just chat to them and find a mutually convenient time.

I'm really busy Christmas eve usually and we go ijt for an early evening meal with my parents.

I tend to have an open house on the 23rd if I'm not working
Where friends, neighbours and family pop in throughout the day. Mulled wine, baileys and mince pies.

We get on really well with our neighbours on both sides and we each host a little get together over Christmas - usually on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and NYE. We love it. But that's what we enjoy, it might not be what you enjoy .. give it a go and see what it's like!

@Sn0tnose

I completely de-christmas the house on Boxing Day

😳 But.... Boxing Day is the best day

Haha I do like Boxing Day, but I have a weird thing where as soon as Christmas day itself is over I find the decorations suddenly become depressing…I know I am alone in this, but I get a real kick out of getting the house back to normal

Lovely but I'd make it a bit earlier and specify an end (eg please come round for a drink 4-6pm) so people know to leave and that they're not getting dinner.

Christmas Eve for us has always been 'friends' day we visit various people throughout the day then go to watch the pantomime just the 3 of us (single mum with 2dc). After the panto we go to the local pub for dinner with about 12 other friends before heading home. Christmas Day and Boxing Day is just the 3 of us unless mum and dad come round....I bloody love it

For us it's family time.

They can always decline

Do they have young kids?

Pre kids dh and I always went to church then to the pub on Christmas Eve. Now we have 2 children we have dinner with my mum etc then church and back home for kids bed and to build toys etc.