When Eric and Beth put their tree up earlier than usual, they unwittingly kick off the Christmas season in Latimer Crescent. What starts as a simple decoration quickly turns into a flurry of festive activity as neighbours start to gear up for the holidays in their own unique ways.

Colin and Cathy find themselves pondering the perfect gifts for each other, while Ian and Gordon plan for a quieter, scaled-back Christmas. Meanwhile, Alan and Michelle wrestle with transport issues that threaten to derail their festive plans, and Christine is busy arranging a very special trip, ensuring that the season is full of surprises, laughter and the kind of neighbourly chaos that only Latimer Crescent can provide.

Alan and Michelle are bleary-eyed off a delayed flight from Las Vegas. They've got big news to share with the neighbours, but their exciting announcement gets quickly out of hand.

It's payday, so Michelle invites the neighbours round for a Chinese takeaway. As they wait for their food to arrive, Eric shares his love of Billy Connolly.

It's Father's Day at the carvery for Ian, Gordon, their parents and Christine, who wangled an invitation. As she grumps about the beef, Gordon grapples with family revelations.

Ian's school friend Darren turns up out the blue sparking many memories - and when the neighbours probe into their past relationship, Gordon finds himself in a spiral of paranoia.

A new bathroom is a big commitment, and Christine can't decide, driving Beth and Eric demented. Meanwhile, Cathy and Michelle bond over a boozy lunch, but will this new friendship last?

Over at Colin's house, the neighbours are gathered for a surprise birthday party for Anne Marie. But when the doorbell goes, it's Colin who gets the big surprise.