A Christmas Evening of Cars, Coffee & Community at FCD

December evenings have a way of slowing things down. The light fades earlier, the air turns crisp, and people seem more open to standing still for a moment, coffee or something stronger in hand, sharing stories. Our Christmas evening meet at First Choice Detailing (FCD) felt exactly like that kind of pause.

As the doors opened and the first cars rolled in, the space quickly filled with a mix of supercars and everyday heroes, all sitting side by side under the lights. Porsches, McLarens, and plenty of beautifully kept machines arrived not to show off, but to be enjoyed. People wandered, chatted, pointed out details, swapped stories and experiences. It felt relaxed, welcoming, and genuinely social.

Food and drink played a big part in setting the tone. Fresh wood-fired pizza, cold beer, and our usual Fuel & Fable coffee kept hands warm and conversations flowing. Add to that bratwurst straight off the grill and mulled wine on a cold December night, and you had everything you needed to stay a little longer than planned.

What stood out most wasn’t the cars, impressive as they were, but the people. Familiar faces mixed with new ones, quick hellos turned into long conversations, and strangers became friends over a cup of coffee or a shared appreciation for a particular engine note. That’s always been the heart of these evenings. Cars are the reason we gather, but community is why we stay.

Events like this remind us why we do what we do. Why we roast coffee, why we open the doors early and keep them open late, and why we care so much about creating spaces that feel inclusive and genuine. FCD provided the perfect backdrop, and together we created an evening that felt festive without being forced, busy without being rushed.

As the night wound down and the last cars disappeared into the dark, there was that familiar feeling of warmth that has nothing to do with mulled wine. Just gratitude for a great evening, great people, and a community that continues to grow in the best possible way.

We’re already looking forward to the next one.

• Images taken by the very awesome Toby Porter