something like this Nick ?Surely not Christmas Eve, as I need to be home to have a drinkie with Santa as he drops down my chimney
And why not have a rehearsal for the proposed Christmas do.
Suggest a day...perhaps mid August..and rather than call it an SF function, (enough to put a few people off) just announce a get together for all SF members/wives and partners and like minded people in the locality, and play it by ear. A reasonable chance more of us available then, than perhaps 6 months hence!
or would during the September school holidays be a better time ?