Anyone else eating out on Xmas day? Family think it’s ‘strange’

[Eastie77Returns]

I can’t face cooking Christmas dinner this year. We are in a tiny rental (currently in the middle of trying to buy a house) with half our kitchen stuff in storage. To be honest the idea of spending the whole day in this faintly depressing property really doesn’t appeal. After searching for ages online I found an affordable restaurant and booked Xmas lunch there. Family member has commented that it’s strange to do this when I have family nearby who I could spend the day with. Have to say this made me chuckle as said family member lives close by but has never, ever extended an invite to us to spend any time with them, Christmas or otherwise.

I’m not much of a traditionalist so honestly didn’t think twice about this but does anyone else think it’s ‘sad’ (word used by relative) to go to a restaurant on Xmas day??

We aren’t this year but have in the past. It’s not strange at all.

Some of my favourite Xmas days have been in a restaurant!

We often go out for Christmas dinner, it’s loads less stress for everyone.

Your relative sounds very stuck in their ways, I assume they weren’t inviting you either?

Your Christmas Day, do what you like - one tip if you’re planning on having a drink order your taxis really early as they get really booked up.

Enjoy!

We've eaten out xmas day several times and always enjoyed it. Recently, we've been having family over for the full xmas dinner on xmas eve, and on xmas day we just chill, watch TV and eat (lots!).

I've never done it. Personally I'd hate to be sat in a restaurant surrounded by strangers on Christmas day, plus the menus are always overpriced.

I don't think it's strange but it's not really for me. No leftovers and v expensive. If it suits you, go for it!

My family always go out for Xmas dinner, have done since I was a child. My in-laws find it out but I love it.

As someone who hates a roast dinner I actually get to order something I want to eat! My mum, as someone who hates cooking, doesn't have to cook or clean up a Xmas dinner that she isn't bothered about, my stepdad still gets his bloody "traditional roast" and my brother, who travels down to see us all, gets to spend more time relaxing with us all because no one is running off to fanny about with sprouts or whatever other rubbish people insist on having on Xmas day when they don't eat it on any other day of the year.

@Invasionofthegutsnatchers

I don't think it's strange but it's not really for me. No leftovers and v expensive. If it suits you, go for it!

Same. I’ve never wanted to do it for those reasons. Plus, once had a ‘Christmas’ dinner at a pub on the 23rd, only because a friend we were staying with wanted to, and it just wasn’t nearly as nice as what I can make at home. I always love the leftovers - hardly any cooking for the next few days!

Perfectly understandable if you’re in a tiny, depressing flat, though.

We did it once, at MIL's insistence. Me and DH hated it, so boring and just didn't feel festive being sat in a restaurant surrounded by strangers and noise. We also don't do takeaways on Christmas day as that feels weird too. That's very much us though, we love Christmas inside our house or at a family member's. I know that not everyone feels the same as us. Do what you feel will be most fun :)

In your situation, I think I'd do the same.
Otherwise, I think one of the nicest parts of Christmas Day is smelling it all cooking - plus the leftovers, of course.

Personally, couldn’t be bothered. Pyjamas all day is part of the joy of Christmas
Might feel differently in your current circumstances, though. Certainly don’t think it’s “sad”.

I wouldn’t want to do it every year but it sounds like the perfect solution for you this year.

If you’re having a designated driver and the weather’s good why not have a look for a nice place, a park or a nature reserve with good paths, to have a pre/post dinner walk.

I’d love to do that. Yes it’s expensive, but the cost of staff time in the pub/restaurant is too.

And hosting people for Christmas is really really expensive- all he extras, all the just-in-case, all the leftovers and all the waste. Particularly when only one family always hosts and the guests just being one bottle…

Only reason we don’t is because the kids would hate it.

The in laws would think it very posh and odd and say ‘more money than sense’ (whilst being happy to be hosted by us for free every year…)

I thinks it's great. Why would it be 'sad'? Good for you!

I like eating out on christmas day but we dont do it often. It is expensive but obviously the staff deserve a huge premium for working christmas day.

I don't think it's strange, and it sounds like a good option for you this year.

I wouldn't eat out on Christmas Day because I would have to drive, and not be able to enjoy a glass of wine.

Also, I'm not sure how good the meal would be compared to my own cooking, and I would resent the cost. And there would be no leftovers.

My family are eating at a pub this year for Christmas. We’ve never done it before but this year none of us can be bothered cooking so we’re going out as a family.

I’d love to but we’ve no where we can go within walking distance
My family had a pub when I was teen/20’s and loved working Christmas Day we had such a great time with the diners
I get it’s not for everyone and some places charge extortionate prices but I don’t mind if

It wouldn't feel quite right to me now as I'd hate wrangling small children at a restaurant on Christmas and I do like doing Christmas dinner. But that said, from about age 10 until I'd left uni and moved away, my mum and I went out for Chinese on Christmas and Easter. It was just the two of us (no living extended family at that point) and I was vegetarian (it was a vegetarian Chinese restaurant), so she was never really sure what to cook us anyway (she is not a good cook!). It was great, I loved it.

I think it’s the way to go. In fact I’m going to look now.
DH insisted on visiting his DM all last Xmas afternoon - couldn’t go early as she doesn’t get up until around 11am - so arrived home as I was putting the meal out, even though I asked him to be here an hour before it was served to help.
I won’t be doing that again.

Yes, we've done it lots of times. The first year we went somewhere that was overpriced and it felt like being at a bad wedding. The following year we tried somewhere else (a Gordon Ramsay pub) and it was excellent, and pretty good value for money (especially when compared to what other places were charging on Christmas Day). My father liked it so much that we went back year after year from then onwards. It was a stress-free day, no prep, no washing up, everyone eats what they want, a real winner all round.

Did it once at a beautiful country hotel. Enjoyed getting all dressed up, but food wasn’t as good as our usual at home and it was £120 a head!! (Very kind gift from family) Wouldn’t do again, although in your current circumstances, you might enjoy it more.

We are in London so yes, lots of extortionate prices and all the popular, more affordable places have been fully booked for months. We were fortunate as a cancellation came up at a place we were wait listed for.

waxon relative said something similar, ie it will be miserable to sit surrounded by strangers on Xmas day. She didn’t offer to host us though.

Personally I can’t wait!

Not my cup of tea either (but it might be if I was stuck in a tiny rental with no kitchen equipment).

We do some years, I love the day either way. We’ve found there’s always a lovely atmosphere and always tip heavily. I do aim for cosy places though, we’ve not had Christmas dinner in a chain, always country pubs.