Is it strange that I’ve never cooked a Christmas dinner at 36?

Lucky you op,running about like a blue arsed fly getting timings correct and plating up and getting it on the table whilst hot is definitely overrated.

I’m 49 and am a hopeless cook. I’m good at other things though.

How dare we be nonchalant about not cooking Christmas dinner 😂, it’s a matter of life and death!
I am absolutely nonchalant about it. Never had any need to cook one or any interest in it. I don’t think I’m going to go to hell for it or anything. I make a good gin and tonic.

I'm gobsmacked at the nonchalance of some posters, and how they're wearing it like a badge of honour that they CBA to cook for anyone, and have never cooked a Christmas dinner, or any roast meal ever. I'm even more gobsmacked at how some posters seem proud of how incompetent they are!

😂 oh do chill out!

Bet you're one of those Christmas martyrs who insist on being in control whilst complaining about having to do a simple roast.

You should join us on the sofa with a G&T and a box of After Eights and learn how to be a gracious guest.

@Mrscharlieeeee why do you think it's weird that someone has never cooked something they never eat?

I was 36 I think before I did Christmas dinner, I’m 42 now. I’ve been cooking Sunday roasts since my uni days so it’s not that much different but we’d always gone to my mums. Now our DC are a bit older and we have a bigger house I prefer to host but my mum helps a lot. I always helped cook dinner before as well. I don’t think it’s strange at all. I’d think it weird if someone had never cooked a roast before though!

I'm 37 and have cooked 2 (and contributed to a handful of friend/flat mate early Christmas dinners).

We are hosting this year as have just bought a house and will be cooking with a hot plate and an air fryer 😄 (the kitchen is only half done).

Well I must have done 50. Not this year though and probably never again.
One year, young children, slogging over a hot stove, my then husband said don't do the washing up! Followed quickly by, you can do it later.

I find roast dinners dull so I dont eat them, much less want to cook one

My DH actively loves cooking a roast and enjoys doing it. So I let him. I have lots of skills but am not ashamed of never having cooked a roast. Am sure I could if I had to, but would have to do alot of googling

45 never cooked one either.

Lived at home. Then lived and worked abroad and either didn’t have one or XMIL cooked. Then my mum and now my brother!

cooked plenty of roasts in my time and hosted many an xmas eve meal.

Ive never even cooked a roast. The closest I have come is to put things in and out of the oven according to my DHs notes if he needs to nip out. I have no desire to, he loves doing it, and doesn't want me under his feet 'helping'. He loves being in the kitchen with the football on whilst he cooks. He even happily cleans up after 🤣

Exactly, we host every year. I’ve still never cooked Christmas dinner though!

50 when I first hosted/cooked Christmas dinner. Covid year so only for DH and DS x2😬 Always did alternate years at my parents/DH parents. I have brought starters or desserts but never did the whole thing before 50.

Now host for double figures alternate years and enjoy being fed by others when it’s not my turn.

I like Christmas at home - the few times we’ve gone out or to relatives it’s just not the same (exception being my sisters’ place abroad). But I’m trying to think when DID I cook my first Christmas dinner? Until I got married I had Christmas at home or the above mentioned relatives. And I got married at 40, and then my DH cooked it. He died when I was 47… yes that was the first year I cooked it! I mean I’ve cooked plenty of roast dinners, and Christmas is pretty similar just with a few extra elements.
My DD, 20, is cooking it this year. She’s even making Yorkshire Puddings from scratch.

It is also possible to host guests for Christmas and not be the main cook for Christmas dinner!

I'm 41 and never officially "cooked" Christmas dinner. I'm always in the veg prep line on Christmas Eve, and on the day will help out in the kitchen, set/clear tables, load the dishwasher, wash up etc. Most years I'll have made Christmas pudding in October half term, so it just needs reheating on the day. But I've never been in charge of the meat or the overall co-ordination. My mum and DH do that, and both prefer it that way.

Dsis is that you?!?! 😂

It’s a great way to keep it imo!

Just to add, this suits me just fine! I get 10 mins to myself periodically while family play with DC and helpfully set up new games etc 😂

I think I hosted my first Christmas at 37 or 38, thinking about it. Now I've hosted every year since!

@LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway you say it's "child's play" to cook a roast but as I simply don't ever eat roast dinners I don't really know how to do it.
I am assuming there is more to just warming up the cooker and putting the meat in?
On cooking shows on TV I see people doing things like adding herbs or oil, marinating meat, shoving something (stuffing?) up the birds bum....
I wouldn't have a clue what would taste good or what would ruin it.
It's not unusual to not know how to cook something you don't actually eat.

Nope. Late 50s and never have, I don’t cook at all. That’s my partner’s job!

Not strange at all. I'm 66 and have never cooked a Christmas dinner.

I don't think you are that unusual.
I'm in my 60s and haven't.
When we've had Christmas at home, dh cooks and prefers to do it himself. He doesn't like anyone to interfere help, which suits me just fine.
Then on other years we've gone to different family members.

I@m a dab hand as washing up / clearing up though, and also setting the table.

I'm exactly the same as you at 32, we alternate Christmas between our two families, have one child and a small flat. Both our wider families are big with lots of little cousins that ds loves to be with on Christmas. I honestly think my mil would be outraged if I tried to help with the cooking🤣 but we might take round some baileys and chocolates and stuff as a contribution.