What's the point.....

I don't really like turkey or roast dinners, so it does always seem like an expensive faff! £32 for a boring joint of meat grates a bit (I'd far rather have steak), but I really enjoy the occasion and hosting/laying the Christmas table, etc. Neither my husband or I are amazing cooks, but we did our best, and everyone was very grateful. My parents are both 80+ and not in the best health, so this year in particular I really enjoyed the being together aspect, even if I wasn't mad about the food - and made sure to take photos, as I'm not sure how many more Christmases we'll have together.

We both really like turkey. It's the smallest one I can remember buying, although with only two of us it will probably last a bit longer than usual.

7kg @Growlybear83 ? For two? You’ll be eating turkey for days!

We had a 2.3kg crown which fed 4 of us for lunch, with enough for a round of sandwiches each tomorrow and chunks to go in a pie on Friday. And even that looked massive this morning, I’m glad I didn’t go for a bigger one!

Only cooked for two and DP helped so not a massive faff. It was lovely infact.

Nope we didn't bother

I'm vegetarian, eldest says turkey is disgusting and youngest doesn't like meat. DH will eat most things but was happy not to be in the kitchen.The kids are hit and miss on the veg so I just couldn't be arsed. Instead just bought loads of bits like quiche, chicken skewers and made a variety of sandwiches. Went down well especially with some last minute guests and took no time to put together in-between playing with the kids. Been a fantastic day.

In our house i do the meat, then dad takes over to do the veg and potatoes and sides.

Learn from it. You don't have to do it and have it just because it's Xmas. We've not had Xmas dinner for 10+ yrs because I'm the only one who likes it. We now have loads of snacks and starters throughout the day which works for us.

So far today we have had cheese and ham croissant for breakfast , pigs in blankets for lunch , snacks from Christmas gifts and later tonight having roast ham , cauliflower cheese and some sprouts. DH not a huge roast dinner fan so we decided not to bother this year he is debating roast ham egg and chips for his supper

It's our first year with just the two of us. It feels strange but much less stressful. I started cooking at about 1, and we're halfway through our dinner now - I've had to have a break for a few minutes as I'm so full 😆. I haven't done anything differently because it's only us -just smaller quantities of everything and a 7kg turkey instead of the huge one I usually buy.

My adult son cooked it all. It's the fourth year on the trot and he gets such a kick out of it. The first year he was so excited by his achievements he kept sending photos of his progress to his mates. He's calmer now but it's such fun. He asks advice occasionally but doesn't want practical help

I thought that last year. I enjoy traditions to a degree but if you don't enjoy it, do your own thing next year.

Just me, DP and DS this year after many years of hosting grandparents (all now passed on), DB & DSIL, 2 x DSD and partners, baby and dog!

We had Christmas dinner yesterday so we can have bubble and squeak on Boxing Day. Today we’ve had various snacks, M&S party food and cheese and biscuits.

It’s been amazing, I’ve been able to relax and enjoy playing with Lego, reading my Christmas book and making cocktails!! ❤️

I’ve missed the family though 🫤, back to normal next year 😆

We make a Christmas dinner but none of us spend hours in the kitchen. Meat just cooks in the oven, in the last hour some potatoes, stuffing, pigs in blankets and veg. Nothing fancy, just a normal roast. Not sure what people are doing for 5 hours in the kitchen?

My favourite part of Christmas is making the dinner. I love it. DH cleans up though. That’s the worst part for me.

No slaving away here. It's just a roast dinner. Cooked our chicken this morning. Bunged pigs in blankets and stuffing balls in the oven, frozen roast tatties in air fryer and some veg on the hob. It's as easy or difficult as you want to make it and we choose not to do all the extras some people do. If you like doing it that's fine a lot of people do but if you don't like doing it don't do it

No I never have done, we have a curry, everyone likes it, minimal effort & hardly any washing up.

Not today, unfortunately.
I haven't been feeling at all well and husband said
"What's the point?".
So, probably after tomorrow. Just myself and him.
Don't sweat it too much. 🍷

I made cornbread and a salad. With homemade dressing. The point of this was that I wanted to eat these things and knew that no one else would make them.

If you don't enjoy making a big dinner and people don't enjoy eating it, then there is no point.

Still cooking here but to be fair only started at 2pm and it’s a nice communal cooking with a friend after brunch at DM’s and a trip to the pub

If you train them well, the kids take over at about 20. Then Christmas Day becomes fabulous.
so far, I’ve watched the Grinch and a Christmas Muppet Carroll

I didn't cook it. My husband (with my mum semi helping) did.
I don't actually like Christmas dinner. I improvised with just pigs in blankets and cheesy mash. They ate a typical one.
Anyway the family enjoyed what they ate. My and my sister washed/dried up.
It did all feel like such a chore though.
I would much prefer a buffet of various bits out that we could all graze on throughout the day.

I prepped yesterday took me 2 hours and started cooking today at 12 - we sat down for starters at 2, main at 2.30, never bother with dessert as too full
I love cooking for others and think the effort is well worth it - I cook everything from scratch as due to all my allergies and intolerances need to know exactly what is in things

I love doing it - pottering around in the kitchen with a glass of fizz. It’s just a roast dinner with some embellishments and it’s one meal both kids are guaranteed to eat. We have it as an evening meal though - I think when it’s made for lunchtime I feel like my whole day is centred on the food whereas I’ve had a chilled day and am now cooking at the time I usually would be pretty much.

Nope.
I choose to never slave away over anything. Makes life way better.