A Christmas lunch is a midday celebration: a family meal on Christmas Day, a team lunch before the office closes or a festive meal with friends on a December weekend. The wording is a little different from a dinner invitation because the time, dress code and plan for the rest of the day change. This guide gives you Christmas lunch invitation wording to copy for family, work and friends in 2026, when Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25. You can also start from one of our Christmas party invitations and send it as a single link.
Quick Answer: How to Word a Christmas Lunch Invitation
State that it’s a Christmas lunch, the date and start time, the place, who’s paying or what to bring, and the RSVP date. Copy one:
Join us for Christmas lunch on Friday, December 25 at 1 pm at Grandma’s. Bring your appetite and a dessert to share. RSVP by December 18.
You’re invited to the team Christmas lunch: Thursday, December 17, 12:30 pm at Bella Cucina. Lunch is on the company. Please reply by December 10.
Festive lunch with the girls! Saturday, December 12 at noon. Prosecco, pasta and Secret Santa ($25).
What to Include in a Christmas Lunch Invitation
- That it’s a lunch, with a start time (usually between noon and 2 pm).
- Date. For workplaces, avoid the last days before the break when many people are out.
- Place: a home, restaurant or the office.
- Who pays: the company, the host, or each guest at a restaurant.
- What to bring: a side, dessert, a gift for a swap.
- End time if guests need to plan the afternoon or the office needs to reopen.
- Dietary needs question.
- RSVP deadline.
Christmas Day Lunch Wording (Family)
Christmas Lunch at the Wilsons’
Friday, December 25, 2026 · 1 pm
14 Elm Street
Turkey, all the trimmings and a crackers-at-the-table tradition. Please let us know by December 18.
We’re hosting Christmas lunch this year! Come at noon for drinks, lunch at 1. Could you bring a side dish? Reply and we’ll coordinate.
Christmas lunch at Mum and Dad’s: 12:30 on the 25th. Presents after lunch, walk at 4 if anyone has the energy.
Merry Christmas! Join us for a relaxed lunch on Christmas Day at 1. Pajamas are fine, we’ll be in ours.
Office and Team Christmas Lunch Wording
Team Christmas Lunch
Thursday, December 17 · 12:30–2:30 pm
The Olive Room, 3rd Street
The company is covering lunch and a drink each. Please RSVP and share dietary needs by December 10.
Hi team, to say thanks for this year, we’re having a Christmas lunch on Wednesday, December 16 at 12. Out-of-office until 2:30 is fine. Please reply by Friday.
Office Christmas potluck lunch! Friday, December 18 at noon in the break room. Sign up for a dish in the shared sheet.
End-of-year lunch for the sales team: Tuesday, December 15 at 1 pm. Secret Santa reveal at dessert ($20 limit).
Christmas Lunch with Friends
Christmas lunch, Saturday the 19th at noon at ours. Bring a bottle and your Secret Santa gift.
Long lunch before the holidays scatter us: Sunday, December 13, 1 pm at Luca’s. Everyone pays their own, we just need a headcount.
Ladies who lunch: festive edition. Saturday, December 12 at 12:30. Dress up a little!
Short Texts and Reminders
Christmas lunch at 1 on the 25th! Can you bring the roast potatoes?
Reminder: team lunch tomorrow at 12:30. Booking is under “Riverside Team.”
We’re running late with the turkey, come at 1:30 instead 🎄
How to Plan a Christmas Lunch, Step by Step
- Pick the date. Office lunches work best mid-December (December 14–18 in 2026). Christmas Day lunches are usually 12–2 pm.
- Book the restaurant early if it’s not at home; December lunch slots fill quickly.
- Decide who pays and say so clearly.
- Send the invitation two to three weeks ahead with an RSVP date about a week before.
- Collect dietary needs for a set menu.
- Confirm the final headcount with the restaurant.
- Send a reminder the day before.
Wording for Specific Situations
Lunch instead of dinner for older relatives or kids
This year we’re doing Christmas lunch instead of dinner so Grandpa can join and the little ones can nap. Friday, December 25 at noon.
Split households (lunch at one home, dinner at another)
Christmas lunch at ours at 12, then you’re free for dinner with the in-laws. Presents at 3!
Boxing Day or Christmas Eve lunch
Christmas Eve lunch: Thursday, December 24 at 1. A quiet meal before the big day.
Remote team members
For those working remotely, we’ll send a lunch voucher so you can join on video at 12:30.
Follow-Up and Thank-You Messages
Thank you all for a lovely Christmas lunch. Leftovers are in the fridge if anyone wants a plate!
Thanks for joining the team lunch today. It was a great way to finish the year.
Final headcount needed by tomorrow for the restaurant. Please reply if you haven’t yet.
Who Pays: Wording for Each Case
Host pays: Lunch is our treat. Just bring yourselves and your appetite.
Company pays: The company is covering lunch and one drink each. Extra drinks are on your own tab.
Everyone pays their own: We’ve booked a table for 12 at Luigi’s. Everyone orders and pays separately; we just need a headcount by Friday.
Set price per person: Set menu at $35 per person, payable on the day. Please tell us about any dietary needs.
Clear money wording avoids the awkward moment when the bill arrives, and it helps guests decide whether they can come.
Dress Code Lines
Smart casual: it’s a nice restaurant, but no need for suits.
Christmas jumpers welcome. Prize for the most festive one at the table.
Come comfy. Stretchy waistbands strongly recommended after the second helping.
A one-line dress note matters more for lunch than for dinner, because guests may be coming straight from work, church or travel.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not saying who pays at a restaurant, which creates awkward moments at the bill.
- Scheduling the office lunch on the last workday, when many people are already off.
- Forgetting an end time for a work lunch.
- Not asking about dietary needs before booking a set menu.
- Over-formal wording for a casual friends’ lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you write on a Christmas lunch invitation?
Say it’s a Christmas lunch, the date and time, the place, who pays or what to bring, and an RSVP date.
What time should a Christmas lunch start?
Most Christmas lunches start between noon and 1:30 pm. Christmas Day lunches often start with drinks at noon and food at 1.
How do you invite colleagues to a Christmas lunch?
Send a short email or invite with the date, time, venue, who pays, the time to return to work and an RSVP date for dietary needs.
When should the office Christmas lunch be in 2026?
Mid-December works best. In 2026, December 14–18 avoids the last days before Christmas on Friday, December 25.
How do you say lunch is not paid for?
Be friendly and direct: “Everyone pays their own, we just need a headcount for the booking.”
Is Christmas lunch or dinner more common?
It depends on the family and country. Lunch is traditional in the UK and Australia; many American families eat in the mid-afternoon or evening.
Make Your Christmas Lunch Invitation
TwistInvite has Christmas video designs such as Christmas Fireside Treats. Open the Christmas designs, add your lunch details and share one link. Guests reply Going, Can’t make it or Maybe in their browser, no account required.
Create it in the TwistInvite app
Download free on iPhone or Android, then share one link with your guests.