As Christmas approaches and London gets overtaken by the festive spirit, it’s easy to get swept up by the lights, trees, and decorations everywhere. That warm, fuzzy feeling takes over, and we look forward to spending time with our family and loved ones. But what if you don’t have anyone to spend Christmas with? Over in Wimbledon, one community pub is stepping up to remind us about the true meaning of Christmas. They’re opening up their doors and extending a welcoming arm to those who might spend the special day alone, with a free Christmas celebration.
The Alexandra, in Wimbledon, will be open to anyone who would otherwise be alone on the big day – as part of an annual tradition that stretches back 15 years. Proprietors Mick and Sarah Dore took over the pub 17 years ago (!), and almost every year since, they’ve been welcoming people in for Christmas. What started as free pints for anyone spending Christmas alone has snowballed into a full Christmas meal – absolutely for free.
A free Christmas celebration at The Alexandra
There’s no catch, and there are no hoops to jump through. It’s an offer made purely out of the love, open-heartedness, and hospitality of the Dores. If you’ll be on your own this Christmas, they invite you to pop down any time between 12-3pm on Christmas Day. They’ve saved a seat just for you – no booking required.
As they explain:
If you find yourself alone this Christmas Day, please come and join us at The Alex. Every year, we open our doors with complimentary, joy-spreading, plate-piling dinners for anyone who would otherwise be spending the day solo, and it’s not just a meal, it’s a proper, warm-hug-around-the-soul kind of celebration (with crackers and plenty of pudding seconds).
It’s completely on us, no questions, no catches, just community at its most heartwarming. If you’d like to help us make the day even more magical, we’ve got charity boxes on each of our bars, and you can now donate by card too (every penny goes straight into stuffing stockings and filling plates).
Each year, the local community joins in to help out. Nearby shops and neighbouring residents will often donate gifts and food. And the waiters and waitresses are volunteers, offering their time to bring joy and festivity to the punters.
The guests include older people, newcomers to London, and people who can’t get home for the holidays. And as they sit together, on mismatched chairs, they realise that they’re not alone.
Thank you to Mick, Sarah, and the rest of the team at The Alexandra. The world needs more people like you.
🎄 Read more about Christmas at The Alexandra here.
📍 The Alexandra, 33 Wimbledon Hill Road, Wimbledon, SW19 7NE.
🚇 The nearest station is Wimbledon.
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