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??

Yes we are. The first time for us and we are going in a big group with extended family. Can't wait 🎄🎅🏻

Only did this once as a child. My Mum booked us a large table at a local pub and invited our Grandparents. It was rubbish.

The only thing that puts me off doing this is the fact that we’d have no leftovers. Eating Christmas leftovers on Boxing Day is my favourite thing to do, I’d be gutted not to have a massive turkey sandwich stuffed with pigs in blankets, stuffing, cranberry sauce etc!

I'd bloody love to do Xmas Dinner out but my grown up DD suffers from agoraphobia and social anxiety and it would be too much for her.

Last year was the first year in 25 or more years I haven't hosted Xmas Dinner and that was because I had covid and my mum had died the previous week.

Quite frankly I don't want to do it anymore. Too many memories But I will for DD .

Every year mum insisted we got a pterodactyl proportion turkey, locally sourced, costing a weeks wages (she would pay)and we would roll our eyes and go with it and bemoan the waste of money.

What I wouldn't give to be buying a giant bird again this year. So yes, I'd very much like to not only go to a restaurant for Xmas I'd like to go and stay somewhere else .

Dorry didn't mean to dampen the tone OP just went off on a stream of consciousness there.

I think it's a bloody amazing idea and I hope you enjoy it xx

We've often eaten out on Christmas Day. Takes a lot of stress out of the day and means a the chef can enjoy Christmas more too

Did it the year I had a small baby.

We looked really hard for restaurants and discovered by accident our local favourite one was open. They didn't advertise they would be like the rest and were also cheaper.

We sat next to a family of 8 people who had 3 children under 3.

So I actually spent Christmas Day around more young children than I had for years.

Oh and I could also drink more on Christmas Day as I wasn't driving at odd times.

I did 2 years ago and it was my best yet! No cooking, no washing up and a nice stagger home. Perfect!

@ThesecondLEM I’m so sorry you’ll be without your mum this Christmas. I love the sound of her epic turkey:). I hope you are still able to have an enjoyable day with your DD. You haven’t dampened the tone of the thread at all. Christmas can be such a difficult time when you’ve suffered a loss.

I don't think it's strange but then I had a dominos pizza last year 🤣

We've gone to an Indian restaurant in Christmas day for the last 8 years. I've had lots of people say it is strange but we wouldn't do anything different.

No cooking, no washing up and we get to spend all day with our kids. No brainer for us.

(we do a traditional Christmas dinner, usually around 23rd too)

One year my brother paid for us all to go out and it was lovely but really really expensive.
There was 8 of us and with the drinks nearly £1000 but it was a lovely treat

Now we have 2 small kids the thought of having it done for me is quite appealing but my Dad wouldn't go for the idea now he likes being at home

But if I was in a tiny rental I'd totally do it if not book into a hotel for 3 days over Xmas Eve, day and Boxing Day if funds allow snd have a real treat 🎅

Sorry my reply split in 2 no idea how that happend

I went out last year and I will this year too. I find I enjoy the day so much more, on other years I haven’t enjoyed the opening the presents as much as I did last year because cooking the dinner is on my mind. I’ll put a Turkey crown in the oven just before I go out to lunch so can have Turkey sandwiches in the evening.

We've done it and always enjoyed it, anywhere open christmas day near us always gets fully booked so obviously a popular choice! I don't like turkey, cooking or leftovers though so ideal choice really

@CouncilHousedAndViolentBaby

I don't think it's strange but then I had a dominos pizza last year 🤣

I had McDonald's one year. Was working as emergency services and fancied a burger

Yes all booked up for Christmas Day. I love it and it gives me back my day.

@myheartskippedabeat

But if I was in a tiny rental I'd totally do it if not book into a hotel for 3 days over Xmas Eve, day and Boxing Day if funds allow snd have a real treat 🎅

Would love to do this but think I’d need a lottery win to fund it!

A few years ago a couple of friends of mine (both single and bit fed up of Christmas stuff) went away for the whole thing. They stayed in a really nice place, had champagne and canapés on Christmas Eve, went to Midnight Mass in a gorgeous cathedral. Fantastic beakfast and a lovely walk followed by lunch on Christnas day. It looked amazing and a lovely different thing to do. DH and I have always said we'll consider doing that if we find ourselves on our own when the DC are older instead of moaning about being left out!

I don't mind the cooking, I only fix the Xmas Dinner menu once a year as it's a big faff bit I've been doing it so long I just about go on 'auto-pilot' to fix it. But TBH I'm getting to the point where my hands and shoulders are starting to 'rebel' at all the work needed so not sure how many more years I'll be able to keep it up.

However! If DS1 wanted to arrange for us all to have Xmas Dinner out I'd leap at the chance. He has a lot of friends in the 'higher end' restaurant business and we've had some absolutely amazing 'chef's menu' dinners at some of them.