It's Christmas Day. Beth and Eric Baird dream of having a peaceful time but are constantly thwarted by the antics of their demanding neighbours.

They planned on opening presents briefly with their son Ian and his brand new boyfriend, Gordon, before enjoying a quiet dinner for two.

Neighbour Christine is babysitting granddaughter Madison and can't wait for Mummy Sophie to arrive back from Eurodisney. Other neighbours Cathy and Colin are anticipating a glamourous skiing holiday in the French Alps. But when Cathy learns that Air Traffic Control have gone on strike – no flights in or out of France for two days – she doesn't take it well.

Neither does Christine, since Sophie is now stranded on the other side of the channel and Christine is left holding the baby. In true Christmas spirit, Beth invites them over to dinner. Eric worries the turkey crown is too small for five. Beth is upbeat – they'll make do even when Ian reveals their dinner date has fallen through and asks if he and Gordon can stay. Now it's dinner for seven.

Eric decides to help make wee Madison's Christmas by looking out the old Santa costume and Beth brightly delivers the dinner – albeit tiny portions for everyone.

Beth has organised the perfect baby shower for mum-to-be Sophie. Everyone is invited and Christine has even asked Pat from over the back, who she is assuming is going to be the baby's godmother. Sophie, however, has already asked Beth and Eric and hasn't yet broken the news to her mum. Jaz is sporting a black eye after a run-in with a packing box, and whilst Cathy is excited by the idea of a party, she doesn't want to get too close to Sophie in case the birth happens earlier than expected.

Technophobe Christine faces a computer crisis when she goes online to buy a Barneyboo Buggy for Sophie's baby and her screen freezes mid-purchase. She heads to the Bairds to get help. Beth has got more company at home in the shape of Ian and Jaz, who are staying while they wait to pick up keys for their new flat, and footie fans Colin and Eric are getting excited about their trip to watch Scotland play in Latvia.

Cathy and Colin throw a birthday bash for Colin's father, Willie, played by guest star Maurice Roeves.

The neighbours are invited round to enjoy a spread of posh shop-bought nibbles but, despite Cathy's big show of being the ultimate hostess, long-suffering Beth has to step in and rescue the party.

Birthday boy Willie isn't impressed by any of it but finally gets into the party spirit when Colin presents him with his old accordion and he gets everyone in the mood for a living room ceilidh.

Meanwhile Ian and Jaz have their offer on a flat knocked back - but Eric steps in to help out. A missed call from the estate agent leaves them hanging.

As the party wraps up, Colin wants his dad to stay the night, but he'll have to convince Cathy it won't mean more work for her.

There are high hopes of a fine feast at Eric and Beth's house. The only trouble is, Beth forgot that Jaz was a vegetarian when she invited him and Ian round with Cathy and Colin for a slap-up roast lamb Sunday lunch.

Ian is sent out to pick up a meat-free option and bumps into Christine, who promptly invites herself and daughter Sophie round too.

Tensions rise around the dinner table, with Cathy furious that Colin has been caught at a lap-dancing club and Jaz, stressed about his return to work, locks himself in the toilet.

It all gets too much for host Beth when Cathy decides to forgive Colin and treat him to her own kind of special dance.

Alarm bells are ringing at the start of episode two, when a car's security system awakes the neighbours in the middle of the night.

After wandering around the street in search of the culprit, Colin and Christine invite themselves in to Beth and Eric's for a cup of tea with Cathy and Sophie not far behind. Soon, an impromptu late-night party is underway.

Pregnant Sophie asks Beth and Eric to be her baby's godparents - but she could be risking the wrath of mum Christine by not running the plan by her first.

Meanwhile, Colin goes back out in search of news about the alarm, and when he comes back with some stolen rolls everyone is soon demanding snacks.

Just before the alarm finally stops, Sophie feels her baby move for the first time. Finally, it's bedtime, but Cathy has other plans, insisting Colin take her out for a late-night burger.

In the first episode, a very tanned Cathy and Colin have returned from a luxury cruise and seem strangely keen to persuade neighbours Eric and Beth to join them on their next trip. There's confusion - until it becomes clear they have the ulterior motive of a cheap deal in their sights.