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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think starters with Christmas dinner are superfluous?

244 replies

thatsgotit · 15/12/2025 17:14

Just what the thread title says, really. How does anyone manage to do full justice to a turkey dinner if they've had their appetite blunted by a starter beforehand? (I do realise not everyone has turkey or even a roast, obviously, but I'm mainly talking here about those who do.)

This might be partly a generational thing, but personally I'd much rather leave myself more room to enjoy the main (and some Christmas pudding afterwards, which again I realise not everyone has) and it wouldn't even occur to me to plan a starter for Christmas Day. It just feels entirely superfluous. Surely I'm not the only one?

OP posts:
EarringsandLipstick · 15/12/2025 17:25

I’m in a small minority that really doesn’t like Christmas dinner, and especially not that idea of eating excessively. I do do turkey & ham etc but portion-wise it’s small. So I absolutely enjoy a starter - usually smoked salmon & brown bread.

MumoftwoNC · 15/12/2025 17:25

What, no salmon blinis?!

Schoolregret · 15/12/2025 17:25

We don't have starters. Usually have a big breakfast and dinner is usually at 5pm. Teenagers eat their chocolate and myself and DH fill the gap with alcohol and crisps .

ItsFridayIminLoveJS · 15/12/2025 17:24

Never had a starter when at home with parents and siblings.. l have never done a starter..nor do my daughters where l go for my Christmas dinner.. we eat about 2 ish.. would have had croissants for breakfast.. will have a pudding once dinner digested and feel hungry again..some kind of chocolate cake with fresh cream.

blankcanvas3 · 15/12/2025 17:24

We do canapés about an hour before we eat the roast, just 3 or 4 bits each to soak up the fizz. I couldn’t have a full starter I don’t think

TheTortiePuffinNeedsHerBreakfast · 15/12/2025 17:23

We have canapés and a glass of wine about half an hour before the turkey's ready. I don't think I would want a sit down starter directly before the roast.

IAmKerplunk · 15/12/2025 17:23

I’m a starters not a pudding person. Love my starters!

TheatricalLife · 15/12/2025 17:23

EuroTour · 15/12/2025 17:17

We have starters for lunch. Loads of room for a roast at around 6.

Great idea

Chinsupmeloves · 15/12/2025 17:23

It's all part of the special occasion indulgence, love 3 plus courses! We do light starters and a little break before the dinner ao it works well. Xx

TheatricalLife · 15/12/2025 17:22

We used to do starters, but found it just too much. We have dinner, go for a walk and then come back and have pudding.

TyneTeas · 15/12/2025 17:22

EuroTour · 15/12/2025 17:17

We have starters for lunch. Loads of room for a roast at around 6.

That's what we do too : )

SparklyGlitterballs · 15/12/2025 17:20

We don't do starters either. It always seems impossible for the cook (me) to be able to enjoy a starter AND get the dinner finished and served. I agree too, the main dinner (in our house anyway) is usually a full on affair and having a starter would take up valuable stomach space. My lot would rather have room later for a dessert, and even that has to wait because people are too full.

JohnTheRevelator · 15/12/2025 17:19

This is what I've always thought. If I ate a starter,I can guarantee that I wouldn't be able to do the main course justice. I'd rather have the starter later,along with the pudding.

ThisMustBeMyDream · 15/12/2025 17:19

I'm 41, and have been hosting my own Christmas dinners since age 18. I've never done a starter, and never plan on doing so! Can't think of anything worse to be sorting on Christmas morning on top of everything else!

Original poster
thatsgotit · 15/12/2025 17:18

EuroTour · 15/12/2025 17:17

We have starters for lunch. Loads of room for a roast at around 6.

Ah, I like that idea!

OP posts:
bilbodog · 15/12/2025 17:18

We dont have starters but do have fizz and nibbles/canapés in the run up to lunch.

Luxio · 15/12/2025 17:17

Am sure you'll get loads of posters disagreeing with you but I agree. Here we do no starters or even breakfast (well except for some obligatory chocolate). I like to sit down ready to enjoy the meal.

tipsyraven · 15/12/2025 17:17

I like snacks with a glass of something before my lunch to soak up the alcohol.

EuroTour · 15/12/2025 17:17

We have starters for lunch. Loads of room for a roast at around 6.