Friendsmas planner: sort the date, then sort the sprouts
Friendsmas is Christmas with your mates: a big dinner, too much fizz, a Secret Santa someone takes far too seriously. It's the best night of December. It's also the hardest to pin down, because everyone's diary fills up with work dos and family stuff at the same time.
Whenabouts does the bit that always stalls: finding the date. Make a plan, drop one link in the group chat, everyone taps when they're free, and you'll see the day that suits the most people.
How it works
- Create a plan. Call it "Friendsmas 2026 🎄", set a date range (late November to mid-December is the sweet spot) and choose evening, daytime or any time. Use "Which days work?" to stick to weekends, or tick just Fridays and Saturdays.
- Share one link. Hit the WhatsApp button or paste it anywhere. Everyone taps the days they're free, or "maybe" if their family plans aren't set yet. No account, no app. Invite as many friends as you like.
- Lock in the best date. Whenabouts adds it up and highlights the date that works for the most people. Once you confirm, anyone who opens the link can add it to their calendar with "Add to Google Calendar" or a .ics file.
When should Friendsmas be?
Before the chaos, not in it
Late November or the first couple of weekends in December usually works best. You'll dodge most work parties, and people won't have gone home for Christmas yet.
Evening dinner or a long lazy lunch?
If you're hosting a full roast, "daytime" on a weekend gives you a long afternoon. If it's drinks and nibbles after work, choose "evening". Not sure? Pick "any time" and let the answers decide. Eating out instead? See Christmas dinner with friends for booking tips.
Ask three to four weeks ahead
That gives people time to move things around and say yes properly. If you're reading this in November, send the link today.
Can't agree what kind of Friendsmas?
Hosting at yours, a restaurant, a pub crawl in Christmas jumpers, or a film night with a cheese board? Use Spin the Plan. Add at least two ideas, spin the wheel to pick one, then lock in a date. Whatever it lands on, it's the wheel's fault, not yours.
Friendsmas hosting tips (once the date's sorted)
- Go potluck. Give everyone a category (starter, side, pud, drinks) so you don't end up with four trifles.
- Agree a Secret Santa budget up front. £10–£20 keeps it fun. Use whatever name-draw method you like; Whenabouts just sorts the date.
- Do a no-cook option. Grazing boards count as dinner at Christmas. Those are the rules.
- Set a start time, not just a date. Put it in the plan name ("Friendsmas, from 4pm") so it's there when people open the link.
- Don't wait for a perfect date. If most of you can make it, confirm it and get the turkey (or the nut roast) ordered.
Frequently asked questions
What is Friendsmas?
Christmas celebrated with friends instead of (or as well as) family. Usually a big dinner or party in the run-up to Christmas.
When is the best time to have Friendsmas?
Late November or early December usually works best, before work dos and family plans take over. Let your group's answers have the final say.
Is Whenabouts free?
Yes. Creating a plan, sharing the link, collecting answers and locking in the date are all free.
Do my friends need to sign up?
No. There's no login and nothing to download. They open the link and tap the days they're free.
Can Whenabouts draw Secret Santa names?
No. It finds the date that suits the most people. For the name draw, use a hat, an app, or the friend who loves a spreadsheet.
How does everyone get the date in their calendar?
Once you confirm, anyone who opens the plan link can tap "Add to Google Calendar" or download a .ics file. Nothing is emailed, so post a quick "it's on!" in the chat.