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Original poster

Christmas dinner!

145 replies

vixsta2001 · 07/12/2023 20:23

I've just had my head bitten off by dh because i dared to say I wasn't particularly happy about the fact that my mil is making pork for Xmas dinner!

I mean, what's the point of a traditional Christmas dinner if we aren't eating a 'traditional' turkey/ham?

I'm grateful she's hosting, but seriously? Might as well go to the local curry house!

Her argument was that the turkey was so expensive last year! Let me tell you, they are not short of a bob or two, and quite honestly I'm more than happy to contribute towards the cost if she had mentioned it!!

No turkey (I'm not even that keen on) but do like a traditional Xmas dinner, means no cranberry sauce either! And you can't ham the ham with bloody pork!! Ffs...

Dh told me if I have such a problem then I should go round and tell her!! Why can't he see where me and my grown adult kids are coming from and grow some and tell her it's not bloody on!!!

OP posts:
WarmWinterSun · 08/12/2023 12:08

Very unreasonable OP

sweetpickle23 · 08/12/2023 11:44

Sounds like you hate your MIL to be honest.

Unless this is a reverse?

leilani83 · 08/12/2023 11:39

Turkey isn't traditional here - it's an American import.

campingmama · 08/12/2023 11:37

AuntieMarys · 08/12/2023 07:37

You'd hate it at our house....I don't cook Xmas day so we are having a massive cheeseboard.

This is what we did last year, charcuterie board the year before.
We've agreed to do a roast this year as we're going abroad for Xmas next year and it will probably become an annual thing so Roast Pork (with pigs in blankets!) for us this year to keep the teens happy!

Muchof · 08/12/2023 11:33

Grumpystripes · 07/12/2023 20:43

Is turkey really traditional? I thought pre 20th century it was goose or beef for Christmas dinner. We usually have goose which is at least 100% better than turkey which is horrible.

Of course it is traditional. We can have modern traditions too and to try to argue that turkey is not traditional for Christmas is really boring.

beguilingeyes · 08/12/2023 11:27

Turkey is the most boring meat. Given the choice, my Christmas dinner would be anything but.

MassageForLife · 08/12/2023 11:13

Drlate · 08/12/2023 10:07

Turkey is traditional in the US, we had other birds here until 20th century such as goose or pheasant.

No issue with other meats being served if people want to but then, I don’t eat meat so I have other alternatives and don’t care.

Turkey is traditional here now, too, since around the same time as Christmas cards and Christmas crackers.

Or do you not consider them traditional either?

Drlate · 08/12/2023 10:07

Turkey is traditional in the US, we had other birds here until 20th century such as goose or pheasant.

No issue with other meats being served if people want to but then, I don’t eat meat so I have other alternatives and don’t care.

Smallngrumpy · 08/12/2023 09:53

As usual , this year we will be having pizza. Not our choice, the inlaws just dont want to cook a big meal.
Its a pain but we will do turkey on Boxing day.
Surely its more important to just be together than what food you will eat.

JellyWellyBoots · 08/12/2023 09:44

I don't think this is just about not having Turkey.
Something tells me this MIL has pissed the OP off on more than one occasion & this is just the apple sauce on the pork. Excuse the pun.

Behindyouiam · 08/12/2023 09:40

AuntieMarys · 08/12/2023 07:37

You'd hate it at our house....I don't cook Xmas day so we are having a massive cheeseboard.

I'd love that!

sashh · 08/12/2023 07:52

Most supermarkets do an Xmas ready meal, just buy one and take it with you.

AuntieMarys · 08/12/2023 07:37

You'd hate it at our house....I don't cook Xmas day so we are having a massive cheeseboard.

Zanatdy · 08/12/2023 07:37

I couldn’t care less what meat I had, it’s still the same the rest of the stuff, take your own sauces. I’d suggest you buy the Turkey (all of it) if it means that much to you

PinkTonic · 08/12/2023 07:33

I’d be disappointed too OP. I don’t like pork much, it’s my least favourite roast and I’d really miss the bread sauce. I’d offer to provide the bird or cook another proper Christmas dinner on Boxing Day.

neleh87 · 08/12/2023 06:24

But do you know for a fact that she won't do the extras? I see what she's saying about turkey being expensive if noone likes it. And if the pork will be dry, surely the turkey would be too, so you're just swapping one dry meat for another.

If you won't get the Christmas extras with a different meat then YANBU. But if it's just the meat, YABU.

Rosesandstars · 08/12/2023 01:05

vixsta2001 · 07/12/2023 20:35

To me, it's like when it's your birthday and someone says 'oh, I'll give you your card next week when I might see you' erm, it's my bday that day and you had a whole 364 days to send it or manage to drop it round. What's the point of traditional food if you can't be bothered to go along with it.

Christmas dinner is one day a year, not Boxing Day, not the week before! It's one day!!

Hmm... not unreasonable to wish your MIL would make a traditional Christmas dinner but pretty silly and unreasonable to not even countenance the idea of cooking one at home on the 24th or 26th!

IHateLegDay · 08/12/2023 00:02

SurferRona · 07/12/2023 21:29

What do you mean, you can’t have ham with pork? 🤣. I’m having a ham, a smoked gammon, a leg of pork and loin. Stuffing, pigs in blankets are also porky 😁. Then honey roast parsnips and carrots, sprouts, red cabbage and bread sauce. 😋 cannot wait!

So you're having a dinner of pig, pig and more pig 😂 love it!

mrswhiplington · 07/12/2023 23:04

IsItOverYetAndCanIComeOutNow · 07/12/2023 20:37

You’d lose your shit round mine - lobster and chips on the menu here.

It’s one bloody meal - catch yourself on!

😂

MrsSkylerWhite · 07/12/2023 22:39

Don’tt much like roast pork but seriously, if someone was good enough to host 10, I’d eat it. Have turkey/gammon Christmas Eve or Boxing Day. Ot stay home on Christmas Day, we do 🤷‍♀️

TheCatterall · 07/12/2023 22:37

@vixsta2001 ok this is where I draw the line. I’ll forgo turkey happily for pork and crackling.

but pigs in blankets is a god given right and no one should contemplate Christmas dinner without them. Christ - they’ll be suggesting no Brussels sprouts next….

mrsbyers · 07/12/2023 22:21

We had pork last year and it was lovely but I do prefer turkey just would have got wasted as we went away between Christmas and New Year. We tend to pick up a few reduced crowns in the sales so have plenty of turkey in Jan , Feb , Mar , April

youngestisapsycho · 07/12/2023 22:18

We have roast pork and crackling every xmas… Noone likes Turkey in my family. I cook a chicken too.

everyscarwillbuildmythrone · 07/12/2023 22:18

I would suck up eating pork rather than turkey, but definitely take sides you want, don't ask, just turn up with them "as you wanted to contribute". Cranberry sauce is nice with pork, and I'd definitely have pigs in blankets too.

sprigatito · 07/12/2023 22:18

If it's really going to be overcooked pork, potatoes and 1 veg, then YANBU to be crestfallen. That's not a Christmas dinner. If it's roast pork instead of turkey but everything else is right, pigs/stuffing/cranberry/the traditional veg and good gravy, that's different.

Christmas dinner is sacred in this house!