Christmas dinner / lunch - time
Discussion
In the past, I’ve hosted a 3-course Christmas dinner for 20+ family members. I love it, but let's be honest—it’s a massive PITA to pull off.
This year, my MIL has offered to cook, but she wants to eat at 12:30 PM, which is way too early for us. My wife is actually voting for a quiet day at home just the three of us (plus our kid). If we go to her mum’s, we’re stuck eating a huge meal at a time we don't want to eat. We also don't want to spend the morning getting ready to go out.
So, we are seriously tempted to sack it all off. We're thinking of staying home in our pyjamas and just grazing on cheeses, crackers, chocolates, and drinks all day.
What are your plans this year?
Has anyone else ditched the traditional family chaos for their own enjoyment?
Need some inspiration!
This year, my MIL has offered to cook, but she wants to eat at 12:30 PM, which is way too early for us. My wife is actually voting for a quiet day at home just the three of us (plus our kid). If we go to her mum’s, we’re stuck eating a huge meal at a time we don't want to eat. We also don't want to spend the morning getting ready to go out.
So, we are seriously tempted to sack it all off. We're thinking of staying home in our pyjamas and just grazing on cheeses, crackers, chocolates, and drinks all day.
What are your plans this year?
Has anyone else ditched the traditional family chaos for their own enjoyment?
Need some inspiration!
Always done the family thing and then Covid hit, it was our first Christmas just the 4 of us (Kids were 8 & 4), one of the best, relaxed Christmas' we've ever had. Still did traditional meal but it was just so chilled. Unfortunately since then lost my mum and father in law so now the remaining parents come to ours every year, which although means more work, it does mean the day runs on our schedule.
On a side note a buddy and I went to California 25 years ago and we spen t the day in a hostel on the beach, all people staying contributed to a massive meal with all nationalities and cultures represented and although that sounds horrifically woke, it was just a great day. Strangers all pushed together having a great time, plus a surf in the morning and a great dive bar for pre lunch drinks.
On a side note a buddy and I went to California 25 years ago and we spen t the day in a hostel on the beach, all people staying contributed to a massive meal with all nationalities and cultures represented and although that sounds horrifically woke, it was just a great day. Strangers all pushed together having a great time, plus a surf in the morning and a great dive bar for pre lunch drinks.
Josemartinez said:
Last Christmas me and my wife stayed at home, took the dog for a walk and took it in turns to pick a film. So much better than driving all over the place, eating other people's food and doing what they want. Plus you don't even have to get dressed.
What naked dog walk in December.... you are brave. Had Christmas without family ever since the special one arrived in my brothers house.. a combination of my parents wanting to see grandkids and my brothers partner expecting everyone to fawn to her overbearing mother means my presence has never been requested.
Initially a variety of excuses were given and now it’s just accepted that my partner and I have the day alone.
I actually enjoy it, as others have said it’s a chilled day, we please ourselves and take the dog out. I do miss not seeing my parents however it would cause an issue if I invited them. The only other challenge is the range of food you can go for with two limited appetites is not great - most supermarkets now seem to cater for large, extended, multicultural families - so I’ve seen on their adverts..
Initially a variety of excuses were given and now it’s just accepted that my partner and I have the day alone.
I actually enjoy it, as others have said it’s a chilled day, we please ourselves and take the dog out. I do miss not seeing my parents however it would cause an issue if I invited them. The only other challenge is the range of food you can go for with two limited appetites is not great - most supermarkets now seem to cater for large, extended, multicultural families - so I’ve seen on their adverts..
I've noticed a lot more pubs and restaurants offering Christmas Day lunch.
I did it myself (cheffing) a few years back and most diners were couples / small families with the mindset of 'I CBA just for the two of us'.
Personally I hate Christmas, so if I can put the magic sprinkles on someone else's, I'm happy.
I did it myself (cheffing) a few years back and most diners were couples / small families with the mindset of 'I CBA just for the two of us'.
Personally I hate Christmas, so if I can put the magic sprinkles on someone else's, I'm happy.
Mobile Chicane said:
I've noticed a lot more pubs and restaurants offering Christmas Day lunch.
I did it myself (cheffing) a few years back and most diners were couples / small families with the mindset of 'I CBA just for the two of us'.
Personally I hate Christmas, so if I can put the magic sprinkles on someone else's, I'm happy.
Theres a pub near me that does ping meals 73 quid a head for 3 course on Christmas day. £73 for a gloried Sunday roast. Its just a bog standard boozer. They must be joking.I did it myself (cheffing) a few years back and most diners were couples / small families with the mindset of 'I CBA just for the two of us'.
Personally I hate Christmas, so if I can put the magic sprinkles on someone else's, I'm happy.
I looked up a pub I went to in Liverpool this week, gasto type place. They want £130 a head.
I wonder how busy these places are going to be on Christmas day?
snuffy said:
Mobile Chicane said:
I've noticed a lot more pubs and restaurants offering Christmas Day lunch.
I did it myself (cheffing) a few years back and most diners were couples / small families with the mindset of 'I CBA just for the two of us'.
Personally I hate Christmas, so if I can put the magic sprinkles on someone else's, I'm happy.
Theres a pub near me that does ping meals 73 quid a head for 3 course on Christmas day. £73 for a gloried Sunday roast. Its just a bog standard boozer. They must be joking.I did it myself (cheffing) a few years back and most diners were couples / small families with the mindset of 'I CBA just for the two of us'.
Personally I hate Christmas, so if I can put the magic sprinkles on someone else's, I'm happy.
I looked up a pub I went to in Liverpool this week, gasto type place. They want £130 a head.
I wonder how busy these places are going to be on Christmas day?
snuffy said:
If there's 20 people, you could have two sitting, and you could opt for the later sitting.
There isn't this year as its potentially MIL hosting. If we hosted we combine both families and do it on our terms.As above at 12.30 I'll be a Terry's down and a pack of biscuits lighter, I don't need a roast so early.
Seriously considering just doing picky bits, tell family door is open if they want to pop in but expect nothing fancy just mum, dad and kid playing watching films eating our weight in chocolate.
snuffy said:
Mobile Chicane said:
I've noticed a lot more pubs and restaurants offering Christmas Day lunch.
I did it myself (cheffing) a few years back and most diners were couples / small families with the mindset of 'I CBA just for the two of us'.
Personally I hate Christmas, so if I can put the magic sprinkles on someone else's, I'm happy.
Theres a pub near me that does ping meals 73 quid a head for 3 course on Christmas day. £73 for a gloried Sunday roast. Its just a bog standard boozer. They must be joking.I did it myself (cheffing) a few years back and most diners were couples / small families with the mindset of 'I CBA just for the two of us'.
Personally I hate Christmas, so if I can put the magic sprinkles on someone else's, I'm happy.
I looked up a pub I went to in Liverpool this week, gasto type place. They want £130 a head.
I wonder how busy these places are going to be on Christmas day?
The only place which had availability was The Dorchester. Packed.
When our son was a toddler we decided to always stay at home on Xmas Day, so our son wouldn't be separated from his presents. When I was a kid we never left the house on Xmas Day and I'd have hated to have done so.
Now our son has grown up, we still prefer to stay at home. We turn dow any offers pf family get togethers, even at New Year. I normally pretend I;m working (as I work shifts). However next year I will be retired so won't have that excuse to give.
The best place for Christmas is home.
Now our son has grown up, we still prefer to stay at home. We turn dow any offers pf family get togethers, even at New Year. I normally pretend I;m working (as I work shifts). However next year I will be retired so won't have that excuse to give.
The best place for Christmas is home.
I'm old school, hardly see my mother or sister and her family throughout the year but do like to be together on Christmas day and enjoy hosting (although there's only 8 of us in total)
Last year my wife was taken into hospital with kidney stones on the 22nd but was let out on Xmas eve so it ended up just the 3 of us. It was nice and a bit of an adventure trying to sort due to lack of food etc as was expecting to go to my sisters, but overall didn't feel quite the same without family.
This year my sister is hosting again so we'll be making the 150mile drive on Xmas morning and the same again home on Boxing day - by which time I'll have had enough of them!!
Last year my wife was taken into hospital with kidney stones on the 22nd but was let out on Xmas eve so it ended up just the 3 of us. It was nice and a bit of an adventure trying to sort due to lack of food etc as was expecting to go to my sisters, but overall didn't feel quite the same without family.
This year my sister is hosting again so we'll be making the 150mile drive on Xmas morning and the same again home on Boxing day - by which time I'll have had enough of them!!
It depends what the deal is afterwards and how far away it is. 12.30 isn't massively early for lunch, particularly if you're starting with canapés. And how long does it take to get ready?? I wouldn't be too pleased if it's more than an hour or two away though!
If it's not too far then leave at a sensible time and spend the evening at home with a fire and some port.
Edit: isn't that early...
If it's not too far then leave at a sensible time and spend the evening at home with a fire and some port.
Edit: isn't that early...
Edited by Bill on Friday 9th October 07:57
One of the best Christmases I remember was just my parents and I at home with a curry. We ordered it on Christmas eve, and left it outside in a box as it was negative temperatures that year. So on Christmas day the curries went into the oven in their foil trays. Much easier than the faff of a roast with extra sides.
I have my own kids now and one less parent. I would prefer a chilled day at home with whatever we want and my dad present, but we go to the MIL house. They have more space and there's about 10-12 of us doing the normal dinner. This means I end up pretty much sitting bored whilst the kids play together and most of the other adults faff around in the kitchen.
I have my own kids now and one less parent. I would prefer a chilled day at home with whatever we want and my dad present, but we go to the MIL house. They have more space and there's about 10-12 of us doing the normal dinner. This means I end up pretty much sitting bored whilst the kids play together and most of the other adults faff around in the kitchen.
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