Fussy eaters at christmas

[Caramelkate]

How flexible are you for fussy eaters? I have 13 for Christmas Day, including a

Vegan
Vegetarian
Fish hater
3 who will only eat chicken nuggets and chips
1 gluten free
1 paleo

I on the other hand am a real foodie, will be doing all the cooking and have lost 3 stone this year so was looking forward to something tasty.

I would love to do everything really fancy, but am thinking a plain roast dinner with side of chips will be my only way forward. My guests will of course all eat fancy pudding, but I really don't have a sweet tooth any more, so am not fussed

What do you compromise on? Or do you please yourself?

[Artandco]

I would make traditional roast as you like it

Vegan side option ( covers vegan/ veggie/ poss gluten free)

Paleo will eat most of roast

No fish included

Fussy eaters will have to find something they like out of what you cook.

So main traditional roast with say stuffed mushrooms as vegan/ veggie option. Make plenty of veg and x2 types of meat.

[HoHoHappyHolidays]

For the vegan and vegetarian, I'd buy M&S ready meals so I could just heat them up in the microwave for them :)

Definitely do a roast!!!

[PesoPenguin]

I'd do 2 options: regular Christmas dinner and vegan option ( as would also be suitable for vegetarian). Make sure you have a gluten free gravy and check other pre prepared foods for gluten so you can let you guest know what to avoid. If you don't choose a fish starter you don need to worry about the fish hater and i would not make anything extra for the ones that will only eat chicken nuggets and chips, can they really not manage turkey and potatoes at least?!

[Caramelkate]

I'm pleased everyone seems to think similarly to what I was planning. The chicken nugget eaters are bothering me the most - 3 children of a family member, I don't want them to be miserable but I don't want the added complication of nuggets on the day.

[Mrsgrumble]

I wouldn't volunteer to host

Not helpful

Hats off to you

[HansKristoffAnnaSven]

I'd do a buffet.

[FiftyShadesofScreeeeeeeam]

Make the dinner you want, tell the people with specific diets to bring their own fucking dinner.

[Artandco]

I would just say ' x is for dinner, of you think the children won't eat maybe bring something they will'

Surely they will eat some plain meat and roast potatoes at least

[BathshebaDarkstone]

No compromises here. Roast leg of lamb, otherwise all the usual trimmings, will probably have Christmassy-flavoured ice cream for pudding.

[Catsmamma]

I bet the nuggeteaters would eat pringles and Quality Street.

I'd set a table for the children anyone who won't eat a decent plateful layer it up with festive nonsense and let them have at it.

[HSMMaCM]

Normal roast dinner with a nut roast too. The chicken nugget eaters can eat or starve. Tell them Turkey is like chicken nuggets and roast potatoes are like chips. (Sorry not sure what peleo is).

[jelliebelly]

Do the roast plus a veggie/vegan option and fussy children can make do!

[Rockchick1984]

My DS (3.5) is going through a fussy "nuggets and chips" phase... He will be having Xmas dinner same as the rest of us, he will just have to eat it. I'll probably throw some oven chips in so at least I know he's got something he definitely likes but I won't be cooking anything else separate for him - particularly as we all just dish up what we want onto our own plates so he can avoid anything he really hates.

[temporaryusername]

Have they only ever eaten chicken nuggets and chips, at all mealtimes?
It's not Liam, Morgan and Tiffany is it?

[DamselNotInHerDress]

Difficult.
I'd suggest a buffet and for each person to bring something to contribute.
Otherwise you end up bending over backwards to cater for everyone and you will be seething and cross by the time you sit down!
Buffets can be lovely, homemade quiches, freshly baked bread, stuffed mushrooms, sausage rolls, tabbouleh salads, roasted peppers etc.
Obviously as far from a traditional Christmas dinner as you can get, but could work if everyone is on board.
Tbh, allergies aside, the rest of it is down to choice so it limits the options for everyone.

[Caramelkate]

Actually, quality street and Pringles could be a goer! And a gag for my newly vegan uni student son, while the rest of us eat flesh.

[SolidGoldBrass]

Cook what you like and tell the fussy bastards to bring a packed lunch.

[rollonthesummer]

Who exactly are the fussy people (MIL or nephews/nieces etc) and how are they/their parents offering to help?

[Caramelkate]

The buffet is a good idea except my non fussy children will then just eat shit. I would also have to label everything and make sure I have enough serving spoons to avoid contamination. ( having just had a fraught dinner with vegan boy)

[Catsmamma]

hah at newly vegan son....is he just vegan to keep his grocery bills down??

my ds returned home for christmas last year when I had half expected him to be at his flat with his GF.

I presumed she would return to her mum's but no.....ds1 had labelled me up as a Bad Fairy of Christmas oh I have to go back home or mother will have a dicky fit in order to escape the vegan christmas that his gf was laying on for her mum and sis at the flat :D

[Betsy003]

That's totally shocking that they will only eat nuggets! What a crap food habit to have. Surely Turkey and roast potatoes are similar enough to nuggets/chips.

I'd do normal Christmas lunch with nut roast alternative for vegan/veggie.

[HSMMaCM]

In fact. DD and I and the hosts daughter are veggie and I am taking the veggie main with me - precooked.

[Catsmamma]

oh crossposted...not an economic vegan then..give him his own spoon and tell him to keep away from the gravy.

[Caramelkate]

SIL has 3 children. Has just had very difficult year - divorce/ moving and food has not been her priority ( McDonald's for tea a lot). But while a bit of me is judgy, most of me is sympathetic, and they all deserve a break. Vegan son is PITA. Veggie daughter is flexible. Gluten Free SIL is not allergic, but follows some weird thing. Friends eats paleo and is nice, but unlikely to bring anything.

I could push people to bring stuff, but it might just make it more complicated - I would rather have plan I can do in advance.

A bag of nuts might work for everyone j guess!

[Betsy003]

What else do the kids eat?