Hellobee Boards

I guess you could say that. Living in Hawaii you have a lot of people moving on and off island getting stationed or coming to school and just not being able to afford to go home. We created our own little family over here. So we would get together when no one could go home for any holiday.it is fun and it brings you close together

We have had holidays with local families when we couldn't get home. Usually, it was through our church. It is so nice to be able to celebrate with someone!

We've never used those terms, but several times growing up various family members or friends were invited to our holiday dinner.
One particularly memorable year was during the Gulf War when we had about 6 soldiers over for Christmas. We did a big dinner, drinks, and I think they all played board games (trivial pursuit). Some of them were so thankful to my parents that they continued to write them letters for a few years!

My BIL does a "Friend Christmas" on Christmas eve. He hosts and open-house type get-together so people drop by all afternoon/evening. Some people don't have family in the area, for others, its nice to have a break from their family. We live in a difference city, but have attended a few times and it's a blast.

all the expat Americans and Canadians who attend our church do a big potluck thanksgiving every year!

My parents always invite holiday orphans for both holidays. This year, they had one of my mom's international students there, a guy from India. They're always telling people that they're willing to host anyone who doesn't want to be alone during the holidays.

I wouldn't mind doing it, either...if I ran into someone that said they had no where to be during the holidays, I'd invite them for Christmas or Thanksgiving.