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Original poster

To make lots of effort for Christmas dinner?

44 replies

TheTamerShrew · 26/12/2025 22:54

I hosted and I made:
Roast potatoes
Honey glazed roast carrots
Roast sweet potatoes
Roast butternut squash with nut roast
Home made nut roast
Home made wellington
Steamed cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus and peas
Gravy

Store bought:
Quorn roast
Vegan sausage and cranberry crown
Seeded nut roast

Of course a cheese course, then Christmas pudding (home made)

It was a huge amount of food, loads for everyone and lots of leftovers.

Since visiting family, the effort was somewhat less.

What is the norm? (Yes veggie Christmas)

OP posts:
SockQueen · 26/12/2025 23:37

How many was it for? If 3 people then it seems like loads; if 12 then probably more normal?

Though my brain would have exploded at the timings/space of getting all that through the oven so it was ready all together and still hot!

RecordBreakers · 26/12/2025 23:36

How many people for?

That sounds like a lot of 'mains'.
We just have turkey.

It sounds like quite a lot of veg too.

However, there is no 'normal'.
People like different amounts of food and, importantly, people (who are hosting) have different skill levels and confidence with cooking, and definitely different levels of enjoyment of cooking.
Plus, different amounts of time available to them and different kitchens even - you need either tiered steamers or a hob with a large number of rings for multiple veg options, and enough ovens and air fryers to cope with the roasting.

Personally, if someone hosts me, I appreciate not having to cook, rather than complaining about what they serve me.

Original poster
TheTamerShrew · 26/12/2025 23:31

Eenameenadeeka · 26/12/2025 23:29

This sounds like a normal amount of food for us (though ours is meat not veg option)
Everyone is different though. Are you referring to family hosting the main meal in a different year to yourself? Or they were hosting an additional meal but not the main Christmas dinner?

Actually being hosted for the main Christmas dinner. I made this all on another day when I hosted.

OP posts:
Eenameenadeeka · 26/12/2025 23:29

This sounds like a normal amount of food for us (though ours is meat not veg option)
Everyone is different though. Are you referring to family hosting the main meal in a different year to yourself? Or they were hosting an additional meal but not the main Christmas dinner?

bridgetreilly · 26/12/2025 23:25

I think it sounds like a lot of main options, where I’d normally only do one or two. But if you enjoyed doing it, and you’ve got great leftovers, good for you.

Original poster
TheTamerShrew · 26/12/2025 23:25

justpassmethemouse · 26/12/2025 23:23

I’ve reached semantic satiation with the words “nut roast” 🤣

Sounds like a slightly above average but still within normal amount of homemade bits.

Though what is a wellington if there is no beef in the centre? 🤭

Mushroom timbale (home made) with cranberry sauce, it was lush

OP posts:
JingleMyBellsChristmasSmells · 26/12/2025 23:25

TheTamerShrew · 26/12/2025 23:23

Thank you for replying! I thought making lots of effort was the norm, but after visiting relatives and a much reduced spread (normal/less than normal Sunday roast), I was wondering.

Show quote history

No definitely not, of course we are the normal ones 😁

FableLies · 26/12/2025 23:24

We had a mushroom Wellington. I do like the ham qourn roast but can rarely find that one.

Original poster
TheTamerShrew · 26/12/2025 23:23

JingleMyBellsChristmasSmells · 26/12/2025 23:22

I did:
16lb turkey
Large gammon
50 pigs in blankets
Loads of roast potatoes
Honey roasted carrots/parsnips
Sprouts
Gravy
Home made soup or prawns for starters
Various (shop bought) deserts and cream
Cheese available for later (no one had room!)

Yours sounds normal to me OP.

Thank you for replying! I thought making lots of effort was the norm, but after visiting relatives and a much reduced spread (normal/less than normal Sunday roast), I was wondering.

OP posts:
justpassmethemouse · 26/12/2025 23:23

I’ve reached semantic satiation with the words “nut roast” 🤣

Sounds like a slightly above average but still within normal amount of homemade bits.

Though what is a wellington if there is no beef in the centre? 🤭

JingleMyBellsChristmasSmells · 26/12/2025 23:23

Oh I forgot! Stuffing and Yorkshire puds 🤣

JingleMyBellsChristmasSmells · 26/12/2025 23:22

I did:
16lb turkey
Large gammon
50 pigs in blankets
Loads of roast potatoes
Honey roasted carrots/parsnips
Sprouts
Gravy
Home made soup or prawns for starters
Various (shop bought) deserts and cream
Cheese available for later (no one had room!)

Yours sounds normal to me OP.

Original poster
TheTamerShrew · 26/12/2025 23:21

FableLies · 26/12/2025 23:17

Veggie Christmas sounds perfect. Although I always regret buying veggie options and wish I'd stuck with everything else. I did creamed cheesy leeks for me this year and would have been happy with that rather than the bought veggie options. The meat eaters loved them.

Do you mean the fake meats? I am not so into them but others are so I get them to ensure everyone is happy. I much prefer home made options too.

OP posts:
FableLies · 26/12/2025 23:17

Veggie Christmas sounds perfect. Although I always regret buying veggie options and wish I'd stuck with everything else. I did creamed cheesy leeks for me this year and would have been happy with that rather than the bought veggie options. The meat eaters loved them.

Original poster
TheTamerShrew · 26/12/2025 23:04

FableLies · 26/12/2025 22:59

That's a lot of nut roast.

There was a decent amount of nut roast (which was delicious) but also lots of other options: a lot of choice.

OP posts:
FableLies · 26/12/2025 22:59

That's a lot of nut roast.

littlebrownfox · 26/12/2025 22:59

That’s an enormous amount of effort- I bought most of mine and put in oven or microwave

Bankquestions · 26/12/2025 22:59

Sounds normal amount for Christmas dinner. We do all this but we eat meat ! I bet it was lovely

Original poster
TheTamerShrew · 26/12/2025 22:57

Also, I forgot to add, veggie pigs in blankets, and Brussel sprouts, stuffing.

OP posts: