Pub at Christmas

In my whole life,I cannot remember any Christmas where the men in my family, or guests, would even consider going to the pub. Most of them were casual pub users at best, but mainly they would not want to miss any of the Christmas day at home.

I have been fortunate to have a family, where people do not drink too much and the family can be together for the whole of Christmas without rows and upsets. I suppose that makes a difference.

Pretty much what M0nica said.

My Dad used to collect Nan, Grandad, Great Aunt and take them out to a country pub on Christmas morning, to give Mum (and me) time to get lunch ready. A small sherry and then home ?

Same here, but I’m pretty sure our local pub is closed anyway.

I lived in pubs as my parents were publicans, we always knew who would be in on Christmas Day lunch session 12-2pm. Always with new jumpers, scarfs etc, the atmosphere was jolly.

My husband has never gone, neither do my AC or parents once they left the trade.

My Dad wasn't much of a drinker, the occasional beer at home maybe but he wouldn't have dreamed of going out on Christmas Day.

He was a motor mechanic and sometimes, having done private jobs for friends, usually old Army pals, instead of paying him they'd say, 'I'll buy you a drink, owd lad.'

He developed the knack of saying, 'Right then, I'll see you in the Nag's head at 11:30 Sunday morning.'

Thus, every now and then, he'd get ready to go out as Mum and I were peeling potatoes and Mum would say, 'Think on, the Yorkshire's go in at 12 and no later.'

Which meant we all had to be at the table, hands washed and hungry at 12:30.

We allus were.

I know a few families where the men always go to the pub on Christmas day.

Nobody in our family has ever been to the pub at Christmas. My grandfathers were both miners and strict chapel. We have never been a drinking family. Even now we might all have a sherry before Christmas Day lunch, and champagne or prosecco during. But that is all.

Strange kind of question H1954. So you overheard at most two people speaking of their husbands going to pub on Christmas day? Is it right or wrong? Neither is my response. It is what suits. Why would any comments like this cause you to question what others do?

No pub visits in our house, dad used to help mum with the dinner etc. He peeled the veg and stoked up the fires in the living room and front room.

In our early years of marriage we lived in a little close where we all knew each other, and it became a tradition for all the men to go to the pub, within 1 minute's walk away, for a swift drink before Christmas dinner. It was nice for them and as far as I know no-one ever objected, and DH was always back (and never drunk!) in time to carve the turkey. When we moved that was the end of it.

No, it has never happened in our house, or when I was a child.
Christmas morning is for opening presents, church, and then home for a drink together whilst the meal is cooking.
Tbh, I didn’t even realise that pubs were open on Christmas Day.

I do not think there is any value judgment involved. For some people it is part of the Christmas ritual -like going to midnight mass. Some do, some do not.

Mind you, when the price of a gin and tonic is £7 ( my local)
We only go there when we fancy a meal out.

My dad always went to the pub on Christmas Day, after peeling all the veg. Home 2 hours later to carve the turkey and join in with mum, my sister and me.

When we married in 1974 - My own husband never wanted to. He enjoyed the whole day at home with me and our 2 daughters.

Now?

He goes to the pub with our son in law (it’s just round the corner from their house) with my father. The 3 of them enjoy a pint or two, while us girls enjoy some bubbles, playing with the smalls, before we all eat together.

Everyone has a nice time. No over drinking, just a joyful, traditional day once again. We are lucky.

Whenever I've worked in pubs, even the hardest drinkers dare not be late home for Christmas dinner.

I wonder is it more of a Northern thing?

It wasn't unusual where I lived for the men to go to the pub on Christmas morning. I grew up in Manchester where my (Irish) stepfather always went to the pub on Christmas Day (and any other day he had money in his pocket, but that's another tale). Sometimes the womenfolk would go and join the men an hour or so in the evening too.

One female relative, raised and living in the South, married a Northern man. Christmas was celebrated up North shortly after the marriage and she was horrified that the women (she, her mother-in-law, husband's aunt and grandmother) stayed at home and cooked whilst the men all wandered off to the pub and came home much the worse for wear. For her it was a real culture clash and it took her and her husband some time to recover from their first Christmas 'together'.

I've been married for 39 years, and not only has my husband never once wanted to go to the pub, but he's cooked Christmas dinner every year.

I also was unaware that pubs were even open on Christmas Day.

It never used to be for long.
It might have all changed now.

Northern here. My dad liked a drink but he never went out on Christmas day. He loved the family time, gifts, preparation ext. He was in charge of cooking the turkey. My husband only really drinks with a meal and has never been inclined to a lunch time drink. Just as well ...we always host Christmas day and I couldn't do it without his willing help. Each to their own. Everybody's tradition is different.

I grew up with a stepfather who went to the pub every night, and definitely Christmas morning. My mother would send me up there to get someone to tell him his dinner was ready! My husband never went on Christmas Day, not often at any time really, but at Christmas I lost him to the band, he played in a brass band and they`d be going round the town playing, whatever the weather.

My mum and stepdad went at Christmas. It was open from 12 until 2 then home to sleep and then to a party. Christmas was miserable looking back but I just accepted it. From 9 years old they were out drinking every night and I looked after myself. My GC have lovely Christmasses and much better lives, thankfully.

When I was wee, no pubs were open where we lived. My Dad being English loved Christmas although he did celebrate Hogmanay as was the tradition here. He was never in the pub and was a really good cook. My husband isn't really a drinker and again, pubs aren't open around here. We just tend to have drinks at home or at whoever is hosting dinner. My husband helps me with the Christmas dinner if we are doing it.