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What are your DC having for Christmas Dinner?

64 replies

CloudyVanilla · 19/12/2019 11:35

Not sure what to give my 4 and 2 year old for Christmas dinner - I want them to have something kind of festive but something they will actually eat and enjoy, I don't want it to be a chore for them!

The good news is my DD does love roast Turkey so that's not a problem. But neither of them are keen on pretty much any of the other elements of Christmas dinner.

So far it's looking like turkey, mini sausages, peas, carrots and buttered pasta Confused but I know a few people who would say I should only give them Xmas dinner on the day to make it a tradition.

Are your DC eating something different, or is it worth just making one meal and letting them eat other food on the day?

OP posts:
Lipz · 20/12/2019 02:03

I do buffet style too, it's very handy. Over the years I made the mistake of listening to others tell me to feed them what we eat, even though dh and I have completely different food tastes. The kids would end up not eating and rows. I learned after number 3 to make what people like and will eat. It's not any harder and people aren't eating food they hate.

I've loads coming here xmas lots of kids too so I've a list of what they all like, one is having pepperoni pizza, another is having chicken noodles. Some are having the full xmas dinner too.

If your child is happy eating pasta I'd make it, it only takes 10mins. I don't eat potatoes, maybe a few garlic ones but I hate mash and roast, I love roast carrots and parsnips and mushy peas and brussel sprouts so I fill my plate with them, one of my sils who is coming piped up the other day and said not to make those rubbish veggies, waste of time and no one eats them and that I should just eat what everyone else is eating and to practice eating mash and I'll get to like it Hmm I could feel myself returning to my childhood when you were made eat the one dinner that everyone had and you could not leave the table till you ate everything, I think that's why I hate potatoes, I vomited after them so much that I detest them.

OhTheRoses · 20/12/2019 04:27

Interesting thread. DD won't eat cooked tomato (spag bol is out), hated gravy as a child - so casseroles were out, always loved sushi, olives, tapas, cheese. DS dislikes mash, mousse/cheesecake, fruit scones/buns/fruitcake.

We always had the same meals: if we had spag bol - dd had pasta and cheese; if we had lamb shanks dd would have a grilled lamb chop; if we had casserole dd would have a burger.

DD now eats everything except cooked tomato. If we have cottage pie I serve yorkies to go with ds's portion. DS will still not eat anything like christmas cake or scones.

I don't think it's helpful to cook separate meals and to pander and have come across too many adults who readily go "ugh" when confronted with something new which is very bad mannered in my opinion.

Christmas lunch here is usually: turkey, duck, good gravy, roasties, parsnips, pigs, stuffing, bread sauce, cranberry sauce, sprouts, red cabbage, runner beans (last crop - frozen for Christmas). DS skips the bread sauce and red cabbage, DH skips the parsnips and sprouts, DD skips the stuffing and bread sauce, etc, etc. Nobody turns their nose up at anything or expects special things to be made for them. Pudding is Christmas Pud and something fresh fruit based.

Nobody was ever forced to clear a plate or eat what they didn't like. Dislikes must be respected but so must the efforts of the host. "That looks lovely, you have gone to so much trouble, I must try a little". It's basic good manners and they need to be taught at an early age.

wheresmyhairytoe · 20/12/2019 06:33

DD is vegetarian and doesn't like roast dinners, DS has ASD and is very picky. They're both having pizza! No extra work for me, just whack it in the oven while I'm sorting the last bits out and everyone is happy.

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mousemousse · 20/12/2019 06:34

I'm pretty sure I'd have to re-home my kids if they didn't like roast potatoes.

Southmouth · 20/12/2019 06:53

Mine will eat the same as us like every meal. But I’m more relaxed at on how much of it they eat.

maddiemookins16mum · 20/12/2019 07:50

I’d just make them their own mini toad in the holes with the mini sausages seeing as they’re also eating the veg and turkey. Not having potatoes or the buttered pasta (love buttered pasta 😊) won’t matter.
Don’t make it too hard, it honestly doesn’t matter, just enjoy.

CloudyVanilla · 20/12/2019 17:32

@mousemousse don't think it hasn't cut me deep Xmas Grin

OP posts:
EsmeSwan · 20/12/2019 17:36

Mine get the same as the adults, they normally eat their favourites and leave the sprouts! I never cook anything different, for 1 special day a year they can be traditional and enjoy it!

Thesearmsofmine · 20/12/2019 17:42

My dc always have Christmas dinner. We are having baked Brie for starter which they love, then turkey with all the trimmings and then pudding. I wouldn’t be cooking different things so just let them eat the bits they like.

CloudyVanilla · 21/12/2019 19:06

I do definitely think that when they are a year or so older I would stop doing extras unless as they grew showed any actual issues with eating the food, I do love a Christmas dinner so I definitely want it to be the focus of the day, the nice family meal :)

OP posts:
WireBrushAndDettolMaam · 21/12/2019 19:10

but I know a few people who would say I should only give them Xmas dinner on the day to make it a tradition.

Great. Send them to those people for Xmas dinner and let them deal with the fallout. Grin

Christmas Day is not the day to get stubborn about picky eating. Serve them what they will eat and enjoy your meal.

Also- find a way to stop placing any value on other peoples opinions of your parenting. That way he’ll lies.

WireBrushAndDettolMaam · 21/12/2019 19:10

hell

coconutty101 · 21/12/2019 19:12

The same as us, Xmas Dinner.
He's 15 months and always eats the same as us.

UserPop · 21/12/2019 19:12

I just serve them the same as us, they eat what they like and leave what they don't, luckily my eldest eats most veg.

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