CHRISTMAS CAN BE hard, even when you’re lucky enough to be surrounded by your family and friends.

But when you’re in a new city, or you haven’t quite made the friends you hope to, or you simply can’t make it home to your loved ones – it can be a nightmare.

One Dublin pub, however, is trying to make Christmas a little bit warmer this year, by having a free “family dinner” on St Stephen’s Day.

Sober Lane in Irishtown, Dublin 4, made the announcement on social media today:

There’s no charge – no one should have to pay for Christmas dinner.

All we ask is that, if you can, bring a small Secret Santa present so we can swap and everyone can leave with a little something to make it a real Christmas.

Bring a friend or come alone, whatever feels right.

Sober Lane D4 Sober Lane D4

The pub is also asking for dessert donations from those who will be spending Christmas at home but still want to help: “whatever you have yourselves on Christmas day…drop it in…”

Sober Lane’s gesture has received overwhelming support and praise from the public.

One Facebook commenter said:

I have no family, so Christmas can be extremely difficult. I’m tearing up just thinking about it.

Seriously, I don’t think anyone in Dublin has ever done something so awesome…

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