‘I would like to spend Christmas with my friends, not help strangers’

Got a problem? Let that’s life! readers help! Here’s what they had to say about this week’s dilemma

Do a good deed

Why don’t you go along and volunteer with them, you will still be spending the day with your friends and also making homeless people happy.

Don’t be alone

Please don’t spend Christmas by yourself. You sound like you have a wonderful group of friends and it’d be great for you to volunteer with them. Merry Christmas to you all.

It’s your choice

If you don’t want to do it, don’t. People criticise, but they aren’t volunteering either, are they? How you spend your day is up to you – but it sounds like you’ll be on your own.

Start early

If the lunch is at a homeless shelter, see if any cafés are open to do Christmas brunch with your friends before.

You still get to see them on Christmas Day and they can still do their volunteer work.

New arrangements

Spending time with friends is important. You could have the special day the day before, but make alternative plans for Christmas Day, and still have a dinner with your friends another day.

Delay your gathering

Maybe tell your friends you will set up a lovely celebration at your home for them after they finish.