Have you ever been out for Christmas dinner?

[Summerdays2014]

Hi,

This year it's the inlaws year and there has been talk about us going out for Christmas dinner. There will be 6 adults and 3 children. I've never done this befor and can't really imagine it. Has anyone else done this? Did it feel the same? Can't say I'm particularly loving the idea. My son will be nearly 2 and won't want to sit still, he is very fussy at the moment, it will be nap time and and it will be really expensive!

But... maybe we should try and it will be amazing?

[popcornpaws]

We have been going out for dinner for the last three years on Christmas Day.
We love it, nice relaxing morning, light breakfast, meet at the restaurant then back to my parents for present opening, drinks, games and nibbles later on at night.
It is expensive but worth it for the relaxing day/run up to Christmas.
Our DD is 20yr old though, as a child? no way!!

[Justgivemesomepeace]

We did this for a few years when there were no children in the family yet! It's ok but I like to have extra roasties, tons of gravy, extra pig in blanket etc and you just get what your given when you go out for Xmas dinner. I prefer it at home but it was ok.

[GhoulsFold]

We did, for the first time, three Christmases ago. We didn't enjoy it nearly as much as we thought we would. We all agreed we wouldn't want to do it again.

[Kraggle]

We did on our last Christmas before dd came. It was crap, really disappointing.

[CiderwithBuda]

I wouldn't be keen. Especially with a two year old.

Who is talking about going out? I think I would say well if that what you want to do fine but it won't really work for us with DS so we will stay home thank you!

[WitchesHatRim]

We door. So much easier.

Quite a few people we know are converts. Some with small DC some not.

[PinkHeart5914]

Before dc Yes we did and it was nice and relaxing, expensive but worth it.

We now have dc and I wouldn’t do it with young dc as it’s Christmas Day and they will be understandly excitable.

[OnTheSherry]

Yes, several times.

Pros:

Feels festive getting dressed up and going out.
The quality of food we had in all places was great.

Cons:
Its boring for the kids
Eye-wateringly expensive (if you're boozers, make that gut wrenchingly expensive)
No leftovers BOOOOOO!

[UntilTheCowsComeHome]

We've eaten out a few times for Christmas dinner, it's nice but not £50 a head, God-knows-how-much-taxi-fare, and keeping-the-kids-still-and-quiet nice.

[RupertsMum2]

We used to do it years ago before we had children. I'm a nurse and would work the early shift and we would go to the last sitting at a hotel owned by friends so that I I very eld up I could still get lunch. We couldn't afford it now.

Would your little one sleep in a pushchair whilst you ate?

[Maudlinmaud]

We have in the past. It's depressing coming back into the home on Christmas day, you miss all the lovely smells of Turkey cooking etc. We now stay home and cook for the family, in laws etc and go to mils on St Stephens day.

[Slimthistime]

I have and it was so much fun
All adults though
Also I'm not a spender or someone who eats out a lot so it felt like a treat

[Elledouble]

I haven't but I worked a Christmas Day shift when I was a waitress once. It was awful.

[BillBrysonsBeard]

I would do it as a one off probably but not with small kids, it wouldn't be enjoyable.

[SummerKelly]

There was a restauranteur interviewed once in a paper, can’t remember who, said he opened his restaurant once in Christmas Day but realised that it was families who didn’t like each other much who went out and the atmosphere wasn’t great so he didn’t do it again. That puts me off. My dad keeps suggesting it but we are a family that doesn’t get on great, which seems easier to cope with at home out of the public eye!

[LikeARedBalloon]

I have in the past. Loved it! Went to a cosy pub, food was great, just hung around eating and chatting....and no washing up! This was pre children though!

[ClashCityRocker]

I've done it once with no kids. I have friends who do it though.

It wasn't bad, but didn't feel like a 'proper' Christmas dinner iyswim. They never seem to get the accompaniments quite right and are usually quite stingy with the pigs in blankets.

Also, I would pick somewhere that has a bar area for a drink beforehand and a relax after - they have timed slots and as it's usually busy service can be slow so it can feel rushed - but possibly not an issue with kids in tow.

I don't know that I'd do it again - I miss the smells, the leftovers, even peeling the veg on Christmas eve. Plus we like to sit around the table after and chat and relax... Don't know if it would feel too rushed to go trekking back home after the meal.

I know some people swear by it though.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I love cooking so I'd miss messing about in the Kitchen, plus Dd loves my food and Christmas food out is never very good.

[sundayfeeling]

Absolutely no way with a 2 year old! (If your 2 year old is anything like mine were!)

[WitchesHatRim]

Christmas food out is never very good.

Sweeping statement there.

[MrsExpo]

We did it for the first time last year, but just the two of us. We walked to our local pub (about 200 yards) so great not to have to drive. OK food but ridiculously expensive (£65.00 per head). There were families there with small kids and they - the kids - were obviously bored and not really "getting" the occasion. We're staying home this year.

[Immewhothefuckareyou]

We did it a few years back and never again, we booked for 2:30 the restaurant didn't seat us until 3:30 as the earlier sittings were over their alloted time and the wait staff didn't seem bothered about moving them to the bar area. When we did sit down to eat the starter was under cooked and the main was over cooked.Myself and a few others complained and got a full refund but it spoiled the day for us.

[FairyMcHairy]

Have done a few times. The only time I haven't enjoyed it is when we had to take toddlers. But as adults it is great.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

No I wouldn't either.

Unless it's a very family friendly place and they offered quick service, enough to occupy small children and a suitable menu for them I think you run the risk of annoying the other diners if your 2yo understandably gets bored.

I;ve been to places like Toby Carvery before Christmas when they're booking for Christmas Day, they're still quite ££ and if I was taking out older relatives I wouldn't want to eat with a 2yo at the next table squealing. (I have done meals out with DC and only picked places I knew they'd behave in)

Have your in-laws booked or know where they'd book?