When I grew up, Christmas was a day to spend at home or in someone else’s house. The convention was to be with family. Even if you weren’t, there wasn’t really an option, because most of the stores were closed. (Chinese restaurants were an exception!)

That’s less the case now. There are several restaurants and stores open on Christmas Day, and what’s really nice is they offer a third space—not home, or the office—for people to get together. 

Whether they are students, expats, travellers, or locals who just want to get out of the house, there is a comfortable place for a person to get a cup of hot cocoa and be around other people, if they want.