Dozens of residents in Orkney are preparing to come together this Christmas day to celebrate the yuletide season as a “family”.
Around 40 people are expected to turn out to the annual Christmas Day meal being organised as part of the work of Stromness Baptist Church.
The event in Stromness Town Hall aims to bring families and individuals from all walks of life together.
Resident Miriam Frier, 49, from Stromness has been attending the meal alongside her husband and two daughters for the last four years.
She said: “We started about four years ago. Our families are down south and we would spend Christmas here, as there are other people around in Orkney that we would like to see over the holidays and on Christmas day.
“What I like about is people can come in anytime. They can come in early and set up together or people can come in just for the meal and leave again. There is no obligation to stay around and chat.
“For some people Christmas can be quite claustrophobic and feels a pressure cooker when you’re in your own home. My girls love this meal. They have other children to play with and they have space to run around.
“It’s just really relaxing and enjoyable. Everyone mucks in. It’s a lovely feeling and sense of family, a great family time.”
Attendees will enjoy a Christmas film and engage with young and old around the table, before sitting down to watch a festive film.
Mrs Frier added: “This is an opportunity for people to be together whether you are with family or an individual. I didn’t get married until I was in my late 30s and for years of my life neighbours and friends would kindly invite me round to their house for Christmas, but I was aware I would be living their culture.
“This event offers an opportunity to all be together with not one culture dominating as we all come and shape the day.
“We can all sit and chat together. We have all sorts of people coming along, some as family some as individuals. Some people you only see once a year, but it’s just lovely. We hope people feel loved and part of the family, and hopefully see a bit of Jesus in us really.”
The event begins at 2pm.
