I remember clearly the many times that in the past they have insisted on not showing their faces out in the street on this day. Well, not really. I am exaggerating. But I mean they've always insisted on being out and about very early on Christmas day... preaching.
Most elders in my congregation believed this was the best time to preach since most people were celebrating a religious holiday. They thought it was the perfect ice breaker. I can not recall one single outing in which an interested party was found. As I used to tell my wife "Its a bad idea to be out in service on December 25th early morning. The only thing we will achieve is piss off drunk people"
However, I do recall the "lectures" on how having a social gathering on December 25th was frowned upon. Most brothers and sisters saw it as an opportunity to get everyone together, since no one had anything better to do and besides, most people did not work that day. The elders and the "society" in the other hand, always pointed out that our neighbors may get the wrong idea. As if we are celebrating Christmas as a group.
Apparently our congo has reconsidered. The elders themselves were out and about inviting us all to a gathering to be had on the 25th right after the meeting. Needless to say we did not go to the gathering or the meeting for that matter.
I can not help to think that they have seen this idea of keeping up appearances has failed. Most neighbors won't even bother to notice that there is a feast next door and most brothers and sisters would spent December 25th with their non-JW relatives otherwise. Then excuse themselves off as "we are just spending time with family. We did not hang the decorations, they did". Social media has probably exposed most of them and so the elders probably figure is better to give them another place to be on that day. Do this for a couple of years and then prepare a talk in which you scold those who prefer worldly company over spiritual company and guilt trip them.