When is Christmas dinner/lunch?

[Tangoandcreditcards]

Due to obligations to our parents DP and I have not spent Xmas together. This year, as we have 10mo DS, we're doing Xmas at home, just the 3 of us.

It has transpired that we have v different ideas about when the "main event" is served. (I say 1/2 - he says 5/6)

I'm cooking, so it's in my hands (and I'm right, obviously, that's in the spirit of Xmas, yes?), but I'm wondering what other people do?

[ThrowAChickenInTheAir]

I aim for 2-2.30 I wouldn't want it too much later as I like to have a bit of supper in the evening and a late dinner wouldn't leave time (or room ). But everyone's different of course!

Also having dinner lateish means everyone nibbling for too long and not wanting their dinner

[MrsItsNoworNotatAll]

I've done it so it's been ready for around 3pm but this year it will be ready for 1pm so fil isn't too hammered and slurring his words all the way through it.

[ThrowAChickenInTheAir]

Lol immediately two different answers.

[Mrsgrumble]

I aim for one, but its normally two o clock

No way coud I wait until five or six. That when I chill :)

[frignorant]

1pm, then it's just Baileys and chocolate for the rest of the day

[MelanieCheeks]

When I were a lass we would have finished the main course in time for the Queens Speech at 3. Pudding served later on.

As an adult, it's varied, depending on circumstances. When living in a little village whose pub did a Christmas morning "lock in", I did a venison slow cooker meal that was eaten on our return mid afternoon. When having an adults only do, it has started around 2 and continued in stages throughout the afternoon. With a young child I'd like to get the heavy lifting out of the way so I could settle down and relax.

[Tangoandcreditcards]

Love that everyone is different.

I like to cram 3 meals in (so scrambled eggs and smoked salmon/eggs benedict for breakfast and a spot of supper in the evening).

DP prefers to graze all day and have dinner late. He has confessed to "not really enjoying the dinner" though. Hmm, wonder why.

He claims my way requires getting up too early (to have breakfast). I prefer food to sleep, he is the other way round. DS gets up at 6am, so I don't see the problem.

We've not overthought this, AT ALL.

[Tangoandcreditcards]

Oooh. Venison!!

I've been thinking about a turkey alternative. That could be just the ticket.

[SockDrawer]

If I had to wait until 6pm I'd be soooo hangry. To those who eat late: what do you do to stave off hunger? and whats the point in eating so late?

[senua]

The aim is to have dinner at 2 o'clock. It takes about an hour so it finishes when the Queen's speech comes on.
I suppose if you had it later in the day then you wouldn't have to get up at stupid o'clock to put the turkey in the oven but ...
Killer answer: If you have the turkey at lunchtime then that means you can have turkey and cress sandwiches at tea time.
Other killer answer: if you have it at lunchtime then it is over and done and the cook can relax and tell people to make their own buffet supper. Otherwise it's hanging over you all day.

[peggyundercrackers]

we always aim for about 2ish, 5/6 is far too late

[MrsItsNoworNotatAll]

And I cook the Turkey late on Christmas Eve and prep the veg so I aren't spending too much time in the kitchen on the big.

Plus I can keep an eye on my annoying fil.

[Tangoandcreditcards]

Mrsitsnow - your FIL sounds like hard work. I hope he behaves himself this year!

Sorry, I also just realised there's a v similar thread already in AIBU.

[Tangoandcreditcards]

senua - I'm with you. Get the cooking out of the way and then relax a bit.

[Slubberdegullion]

5-6-ish.

We have fizz cocktails and salmon, nibbles, pâté in the middle of the day.

I'd be good for nothing for all of Christmas Day afternoon if I ate the roast in the middle of the day.

I love the Christmas table when it gets dark and you light all the candles. It's all twinkly.

[dancestomyowntune]

We aim for 2ish usually. It depends on my mother's work commitments though as she is a care assistant and invariably has to work at least one shift.

I prep the meal the night before, flick oven on at about 6am and baste the turkey regularly. Kids normally up at about 7am for stockings.

I like to have cheese and biscuits/cold meats and nibbles in the evening. Lunch breaks the day up!

[Slubberdegullion]

And I do all the food prep a week/couple of days before hand. I'm not bloody peeling potatoes on Christmas Day.

[Shinyshoes2]

Around 3pm
I don't have to get up at the crack if dawn to put the turkey in then
Late breakfast due to kids present opening
Dinner around 3pm
Then something later in around 7pm or 8pm if anyone fancies , turkey sandwiches normally

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

Tbh id just say to him "im cooking, and im not waiting round all day to do it, so when you cook next year we will have it when you decide"

[girlynut]

Food prep the night before.

Light breakfast followed by Buck's Fizz and smoked salmon canapés when the family arrives at 11. Kids show relatives all the tat they've got from Santa.

Full Xmas dinner at 1pm or thereabouts. Finish in time for queen's speech.

Board games / movies / drinking all avo. Snack on chocolates and feel sick.

Throw family out at 7pm and have supper of cold meats and salad.

[duckbilled]

Around 4pm, and then pudding later in the evening.... Usually when eastenders is on (mil insists we watch it!!)

[HSMMaCM]

People who get up early have breakfast (maybe a choc off the tree). Lunch when it's ready, maybe 1 maybe 3, pick at whatever we want for the rest of the day - cheese and biscuits or whatever. I wouldn't want a late lunch/tea, as I wouldn't be able to relax until it was done.

[girlywhirly]

1.30pm here, but it's just DH and I and we're having a big chicken so not such a mad scramble to get it into the oven at a ridiculously early hour. We have always had the main meal at lunch time even when we were kids. If we have a small breakfast we have a good appetite for it.

It also means we can get the dishes done and tea is just cheese and biscuits and trifle in front of the TV.

[lauranorder50]

1pm. Lunchtime. Christmas Lunch. It's kind of self evident.

Lunch at 3pm is a nonsense in my view.