Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not make an English Christmas dinner again?

31 replies

NoSprouts · 26/12/2024 22:22

I live abroad (still Europe) in DH‘s home country with our kids (8 and 5).

I have fond memories of my Christmases growing up. Lots of food, drink, presents, music, games, laughter and fun. And most importantly, family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. DH‘s family don’t really celebrate (a nice dinner on Christmas Eve, that’s it). This year it was just us four, on the 24th and 25th.

I‘ve tried my hardest to replicate my Christmas past. This year it got too much. It is difficult to source the food items I want (no fluffy potatoes for roasties, found parsnips a month ago and had to freeze them, only frozen sprouts etc). Bought 8 crackers online for £30. I often go home to England in Autumn and stock up, this year I didn’t so we had no Christmas pudding or mince pies.

After too much wine on Christmas day I realised I will never get to replicate a British Christmas if I‘m not with my family. My kids probably don’t care, they just want presents. It was so stressful to source and make this dinner that no one but me cares about (but I do care about it a lot).

Aibu to feel sad at letting go and just eating pizza next year?

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · 26/12/2024 22:32

I suggest making new memories. Don't get stressed about replicating all of your UK childhood but maybe next year do the pizza and something from your UK Christmas. Better to pick one or two easy traditions and a pizza, than you being stressed out and trying to do it all for the sake of tradition.

Moonlightstars · 26/12/2024 22:31

My mum is scandi so we do a probably shit version of a Scandi Christmas Eve. I still do it with my kids as does my sister. It means a lot to us even though we get most of it wrong. Your kids will love it in years to come (we've just had our 50th Xmas eve)

candycane222 · 26/12/2024 22:29

I would make a special meal with what is easily available there, and crowdsource the menu - maybe one favourite dish from every family member so if it turns out to be sausages, chicken korma and goida cheese on toast followed by chocolate ice cream and creme caramel, roll with it!

Gliblet · 26/12/2024 22:28

It's hard enough to make it feel like a 'proper' childhood/nostalgic Christmas when you're surrounded by shops that sell a selection of everything you could possibly want, when you're having to make do with things that aren't quite what you wanted it's going to feel near impossible. It might be time to establish some new traditions - it doesn't have to be giving up and ordering pizza (unless you want to) but it's worth putting some thought into what's available that would feel special and luxurious without trying to bodge a 'traditional' roast.

UndeniablyGenXmasOfAWomblingMerryType · 26/12/2024 22:25

Bought 8 crackers online for £30

Are crackers peculiar to the UK? I never knew that!

Why not do something else next year and then see how you feel - you don't have to decide you're never ever doing a traditional roast again, you can take a break and go back to it.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 26/12/2024 22:25

Yanbu about being sad, I would be too as I love an English christmas 🥺

Maybe there are new traditions that you can create to make the day magical and new meals that blend the English elements with the ingredients available in the country you're in

Could be fun 🙂