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Christmas

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Original poster

Pub at christmas

38 replies

WinoAnon · 23/10/2021 20:55

I always see on here that it's their family tradition to go to the pub on Christmas Day. We never did this growing up and I've never heard any other families doing it. I've only ever heard it on mumsnet.

I would actually feel bad that people have to work just so I can have a drink?

Where do you live where this is common?

OP posts:

Marmelace · 26/10/2021 12:41

I sound a right misery arse 😆

BiddyPop · 26/10/2021 12:59

We've never had the option as the pubs have always been closed here on Christmas Day. They were only recently opened up on Good Friday as well (either 2017 or 2018).

There's an element of "why do you so desperately need to go to the pub on that 1 day of the year?" every single year in discourse about it. As the pubs are open the other 364 days.

wingingit987 · 26/10/2021 13:30

Going to the pub for a drink I think is totally weird but going to the pub for Christmas dinner is normal to me we're going out for Christmas dinner this year xx

HotHointheavo · 26/10/2021 14:12

Growing up it wasn't a thing but I am an ex pub landlady with inlaws who were licensees and other family members who still are. I think its the culture I live in and to a degree that of my dd13.

Christmas day opening for us was for just 2 hours, many of our customers were friends and it was a fabulous atmosphere.

CrazyBaubles · 26/10/2021 14:30

It wasn't a thing for my family - absolutely nothing could pull my mum into a pub on Christmas Day.

We spent a few christmases at FILs before he moved and we went to the pub before lunch then.

It was a small dog friendly pub, owned by a retired single man who loved seeing everyone on the day. Open 11-3, No food on offer, and often no other staff, just him. It was in a tiny village and people would bring the landlord food - he must have had a feast when everyone went home. It was a really nice way to spend an hour and stretch our legs.

We've moved this year and been told the local social club will be open on Christmas Day (it's run by a retired couple). We're considering a wander over in the afternoon with ILs who now live near us.

XiCi · 27/10/2021 07:18

Going to the pub for a drink I think is totally weird
Oh it totally is. Going to a Pub for a drink? Who would have thunk it

We have been to the pub on Xmas day over the years before lunch. They only open a few hours, are shut by 2, and its just a really nice way to quickly catch up with friends and other families on the day. Quick drink then home for dinner.
Most people who work on Christmas day do so by choice for various reasons, not least the double/triple time so there is really no need to be tearing your hair out in angst over your G&T!

thebabessavedme · 27/10/2021 08:50

When I was a child (am getting on a bit now) the men all used to go the pub while the 'girls' stayed home and got the dinner on, tbh I think the women didnt really mind too much, it was a fairly normal practice and they used to drink a lot of sherry or dubonnet in the kitchen and laugh a lot, we kids played with our stocking toys until the men got home, all merry and smelling of beer.

Nowadays its a bit more equal we all go for drink in the morning, my dgs takes a toy with him and my son-in-law and I cook once we
get home, then those who didnt cook clear up.

thebabessavedme · 27/10/2021 08:50

oh, and we are londoners.

WTF475878237NC · 27/10/2021 08:56

When we lived in a village it was the norm for most people to pop in before Christmas lunch to have a drink. The atmosphere was lovely and it was a nice tradition.

southlondoner02 · 27/10/2021 08:57

Think it depends what kind of pub. I know 2 people who grew up above pubs as their parents ran them. They would open on Christmas Day but they were very much at the heart of the community, were friends with a lot of the locals etc and seemed to enjoy it. A big corporate chain is a bit different as presumably the staff are more there for the triple time and tips.

Obviously not the same but lots of little shops are open near us as the owners don't celebrate Christmas but they close for eid instead

Cuntness · 27/10/2021 10:26

I used to go to the pub on Christmas Day. The pub was as the entrance to the estate my parents lived on. There were quite a few of us from school who grew up there, too, so we'd meet up every year as we'd be "home" visiting parents.

We'd go for a quick one at about 2pm. Then home for the afternoon to eat. Then back again in the evening where more often than not we'd be allowed to stay past closing with the staff.

Then some scrote burnt it down and now it's shops.

Redsquirrel5 · 27/10/2021 10:42

Our village pub has been booked up for Christmas Dinner already. It will be open for a couple of hours beforehand for drinks. We go very occasionally mainly to wish Landlord Merry Christmas. We have been for Christmas Dinner in the past. It was lovely.

My sons work in hospitality and are open in the city. We have to wait for them to finish working before having our dinner. This year it is their turn to be open for Christmas Dinner so two will be involved and eldest is at the sister pub so he will be finished early or off. We eat anytime between 2 pm and 8pm depending on who is doing what.

TakeYourFinalPosition · 27/10/2021 10:54

Not everyone has families… I didn’t, and used to take shifts over Christmas so that I wasn’t home alone. I didn’t work in the pub but they knew me well enough to let me help out.

It’s not going to be everyone who is working, of course, but it’s not that unusual either. I think the latest conservative estimate of people who spend Christmas alone is 20% or so.

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