Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the days around them are the busiest stretch of the year. Families split time between households, relatives travel in on different days, and friends who can't make the day itself would gladly do the weekend before. Until a date is settled, nobody books travel, takes time off or clears their calendar, and the group chat fills up with maybes.
How Commonhour works for Christmas gatherings
Create a plan with the days you're considering, such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the weekend before. Turn on All day if you're only choosing a day, or paint start times if the hour matters.
Share one link in the family or friend group chat. Everyone opens it in their browser and taps the days they're free. No account, no app.
Watch the ranked list fill in. The days that work for the most people rise to the top, with a note of who can't make each one.
Pick a day and send the calendar invite to everyone who's free, so it's on their calendars and not just in the chat.
What it works for
Family Christmas gatherings. Find out whether Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or a nearby weekend works for the most relatives before anyone books travel.
Friends' Christmas get-togethers. Choose an afternoon or evening in December that most of the group can make.
A second celebration. Offer a few days after the holiday for the people who couldn't be there on the day.
Church, choir or club celebrations. Pick an evening that fits the most members of a group that meets around the holiday.
Tips for a better turnout
Offer two or three days, not ten. A short list gets faster answers in a busy month.
Ask early. Travel and time off need lead time, so the sooner the day is settled, the better.
Check who can't make each day. Each option shows who's missing, so you can tell if a day loses the people the gathering is really for.
Calendar invites are free, always. Google Calendar, Outlook, or an .ics file, with everyone who's free already added as a guest.
What it doesn't do yet
Commonhour finds the day or time. It isn't an invitation page: it doesn't collect RSVPs, dish sign-ups or gift lists, or split costs. Without an account a plan takes up to 12 responses; sign in with a free account to go past it.
Christmas gathering scheduling questions
Should I pick Christmas Day or a nearby day?
If people are split between households or traveling, offer the day itself alongside Christmas Eve or a nearby weekend, and let the ranked list show which one the most people can make.
Does everyone need an account?
No. They open the link and tap the days they're free, with nothing to install. Without an account a plan takes up to 12 responses; sign in with a free account to go past it.
Can I use it to choose a time on the day?
Yes. Offer a few start times, such as a morning brunch or an evening dinner, and see which fits the most people.
Is the calendar invite free?
Yes. Sending the calendar invite is free, with Google Calendar, Outlook or an .ics file, and everyone who said they're free is already added as a guest.