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??

I'd love to do that! Definitely wouldn't think it was sad!

Yes we are. Not traditional Xmas food...Mediterranean. I don't like turkey and there's only 3 of us. We do a 6 mile walk in the morning and eat about 4.

I've done this every year for the last 30 years. It is absolutely amazing.

The only thing that puts me off is that it’s so over priced, I actually enjoy making Christmas dinner . I can see why others do it and for your reasons op I most probably would .
It’s a good idea for those that don’t like cooking or don’t want to and don’t want to put family out by going there . You can still see family after dinner .

@Waxonwaxoff0

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 feel the same. I've done it but prefer to be home.

@soberfabulous

I've done this every year for the last 30 years. It is absolutely amazing.

30 years, wow! I’m envious as I’ve had so many exhausting, stressful Xmas days and wish I’d done this sooner.

We've done this for the last few years.
The local curry house does a buffet, with a wide range of choice, for about £35 a head.
Everyone gets to eat what they like, and the hungrier ones can have plenty.
No faffing about with leftovers, and no clearing up.
Then go home to watch TV and eat Quality Street.

We go out every other year.

I prefer it TBH....

No-one has to be a kitchen slave, no dishes to wash up and it breaks up a long day.

It can't be that 'strange' or nowhere would be open to serve Christmas dinner if no-one ate out!

We do it every year. No one wants to cook for 13!

I have done it in the past, I would not do it again unless there was little other choice, it does not feel like Christmas at all, but a fairly average roast dinner in a restaurant.

I've done it a few times in the past. Once with friends as a single person and also with my family. It's actually great fun. My get lovely food (that you don't have to cook) and the restaurant near us that does Xmas day dinner has a pianist in on the day. Fabulous and not strange at all.

*You

@Waxonwaxoff0

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 imagine most of the staff feel the same way. If people stop eating out and the demand isn't there greedy owners won't open on Xmas day and force their lowest paid staff to work. It's the one day of the year that most people want to spend at home with their families- nothing should be open except emergency services etc.

Anyway; it is open, so I guess it's up to you.

Plenty of people don’t want Xmas off, they want to earn money.

I imagine most of the staff feel the same way. If people stop eating out and the demand isn't there greedy owners won't open on Xmas day and force their lowest paid staff to work. It's the one day of the year that most people want to spend at home with their families- nothing should be open except emergency services etc.

This is quite an assumption. I was quite happy to work Christmas Day lunch. I got paid double time plus generous tips, had a laugh with my fellow workers and customers and was still home by late afternoon eat with my family. I loved it! No-one where I worked had to work on Christmas Day, it was by choice.

I grew up in a pub and most of my childhood was spent waiting all day to have "Christmas" (presents, food and family time)
At the time, I really resented every single person who came in on Christmas Day - a lot (more than normal) were very demanding, rude and dismissive.

Now I'm an adult, I really cherish spending the day at home with my family.
I have less than no interest in going out. Plus I really feel for the staff who don't get to spend the day with their own family, instead having to wait on yours.

Christmas brunch is pretty normal here where I live. I’ve cooked for the past 2 years, but this year we’re going for champagne brunch.
We’ve done a few times before but it’s pricey. At least this year the kids will eat their monies worth and the free flowing Moet helps too…

I love Christmas at home but removing the stress of prepping food makes the day so good. Get up, open presents, FaceTime family, drink, get dressed up and hop in the car. Come back, crack open more booze and get in the pool.

There is nothing sad about enjoying Christmas dinner at a restaurant, especially because there’s usually a really wonderful festive vibe from everyone!

Never done it but sounds like a great idea, especially in your circumstances.

@HundredMilesAnHour

I imagine most of the staff feel the same way. If people stop eating out and the demand isn't there greedy owners won't open on Xmas day and force their lowest paid staff to work. It's the one day of the year that most people want to spend at home with their families- nothing should be open except emergency services etc.

This is quite an assumption. I was quite happy to work Christmas Day lunch. I got paid double time plus generous tips, had a laugh with my fellow workers and customers and was still home by late afternoon eat with my family. I loved it! No-one where I worked had to work on Christmas Day, it was by choice.

Great if by choice, then there is no problem! Unfortunately years of experience for myself and my husband and other family members tells us this is often not the case.

I have never done it but I don't think it's sad.
I have a large family to spend time with at Christmas some of whom are great cooks and like to host.
I wouldn't be escaping a lot of work and it's very expensive where I am because very few places stay open, I think you probably have to book in January.
I know people who have done it and recommend it though, especially for extended families when they grow too big to fit comfortably into any one home but still want to spend it together.
I hope you have a lovely day and even if it's not the best meal you've ever tasted it will be served to you and cleared away. That always makes things taste better 😉

We are doing this for the 1st time this year as my mother in law died during covid and it will be the 1st proper Christmas without her so we wanted to completely change things up. She loved Christmas so much it is going to be so sad without her so we need to do things completely differently.

We have booked to go to a restaurant for the first time this year. We’ll be going with PILs, SIL/BIL and some Aunties so it’ll still feel like a family occasion.
I’m really looking forward to not having to cook or wash up, and it’ll be nice to be able to spend the morning and early evening at our house with the kids just the four of us, if we eat at PILs, or if people come to us, I feel pressured to spend the whole day with them when I’d much rather just spend a few hours together and the rest of the time at home with just DH and the kids.

I think it's quite "sad" to do exactly the same thing year after year after year. I love mixing up Christmas Day, go on holiday one year, restaurant another year, stay at home, go to family. So much more exciting.

It's not strange at all. I've often thought it would be nice but put off by the expense and the thought of no leftovers. I think it could be fab in the right place. Different than being at home but not worse.

@youvemademyshitlist

I grew up in a pub and most of my childhood was spent waiting all day to have "Christmas" (presents, food and family time) At the time, I really resented every single person who came in on Christmas Day - a lot (more than normal) were very demanding, rude and dismissive.

Now I'm an adult, I really cherish spending the day at home with my family.
I have less than no interest in going out. Plus I really feel for the staff who don't get to spend the day with their own family, instead having to wait on yours.

I’m sorry Christmas was miserable for you when you were a child. I think you’re making a bit of assumption about people who work on Christmas Day though. I don’t think it’s an enforced, hellish experience for every worker and I don’t think they would all rather be at home. I once worked in a SW London pub that was open for Christmas Day lunch. A few staff members who happily did a shift on the day were Aussie or South African, didn’t have family here and didn’t mind working and earning extra £££. It was entirely voluntary.