It`s YOUR Christmas too! Why not just have a nice day at home with your new dog and do the visiting on Boxing Day? I`ve done this ever since a nightmare Xmas when my in-laws descended with the nastiest spoilt brat in history and ruined my day. Now I spend a lovely relaxing day with my loved ones doing exactly what pleases us. Go on - try it!

I'm not sure how well he'll settle in a crate with lots of hubub going on (we're talking about day after boxing day when they'll be left over family and children about), as well as two poorly socialised dogs!
Dad took them to a puppy party the other day and the lady found them an hour later curled up together asleep on the kitchen table. They'd obviously climbed up there to get away from it all. In fact, thinking about it, they're abit like my Dad and Stepmum; like to do their own thing and not be fussed, stuck up and snooty;o)! So Reisu, no, not cheeky at all!
Otherwise all good suggestions.

You do what you think is best for Woody,if it were me I'd leave him and enjoy some time out without him,he will be walked before you leave him so he will be relaxed, also remember if hes used to you going to work it would be best to try to stick to kinda the same routine, don't feel bad there will be plenty other days when he can cause mayhem and madness at mums with the beagles, don't worry about them either they will put woody in his place, you just gotta learn to let them sort it out xx

I'll probably get castigated for this but I also believe time apart does you both good. It teaches pup your not at his beck and call and sometimes it gives you chance to step away from puppy behaviour and get a well deserved breathing space.

very true - sometimes it's easy to forget though

You know your own pup. For me, I would leave him at home where he is nice and calm, then just leave early. Dont let family bully you into anything

Woody will be fine at home alone... You're working, so he's used to it.... and he doesn't know it's Christmas! Just another day for him...

Enjoy the day, and if it's not so enjoyable, you have a great excuse to go home early.

I would take Woody with you and take his crate too, and pop him in if he starts getting too hyper. Otherwise you could leave him in the car (if it is safe to do so) and then you can keep going out to make sure he is okay, let him out for a wee, take him for a walk etc.

I wouldn't want to leave a young pup for longer than 5 hours unless I absolutely had to. No, you aren't pandering to him, you are looking after him!

Thanks all. Lots of mixed views. We're going to stick to the original plan of walking him before and leaving him in kitchen with bed, kongs stuffed and toys for no more than 5 hours. To be honest he's on his own every day for 4 hr 20 mins, twice a day during the week and we're off for 2 weeks over Christmas with him so one day wont hurt, will it!
Just thought my Dad was out of order expecting us to leave him for a long time and telling me Im an idiot (of osrts) for not wanting to! I dont know, I cant win can I ;o)