Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

To go to a restaurant for Christmas dinner?

87 replies

PinkyOfPie · 29/08/2016 11:21

I'll be almost 9 months pregnant on Christmas Day. We haven't committed to having people over this year but we did always say as we are in a new house we want to have Xmas day at ours. However I really couldn't be arsed cooking a full Christmas dinner when I'm gonna be the size of a house (I was enormous with DD and already huge with this one at 5 months). DH's cooking skills are limited to omelette and beans on toast, everything else he burns or ruins!

We thought about going to family's but TBH I want to be somewhere I can be fat lay down and make myself comfortable if I need to, I'm not a very good house guest at the best of times.

DH has suggested going for a meal just us 2 and DD. A local pub is doing a 3-course meal for £40 per adult £15 per child. Steep but we spend a lot on food for the day anyway.

I think I'd feel bad though, I did waitressing in my student days and always felt sorry for the staff who had to work for a pittance on Xmas day. I also think it might look unsociable to family then again to have no food to make or mess to clean sounds like heaven is it the 'done thing' with anybody?

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 29/08/2016 11:59

Do it, it sounds great.

But if you'd rather stay at home, your DH has 4 months to practise cooking a Sunday roast.

MoggyP · 29/08/2016 12:00

YABU to start a Christmas thread outside the topic.

But you can eat what you like, where you like, when you like.

ImperialBlether · 29/08/2016 12:04

I wouldn't, just in case you miss it by being in hospital. I'd go to M&S and get the lot there, right down to the gravy. Write down the timings for everything and you're sorted.

Sparkletastic · 29/08/2016 12:05

Go for it if you want. I'd probably go for spending the cash on naice pre-prepped M&S food that can be bunged in oven though instead.

Chewbecca · 29/08/2016 12:06

No issue with the eating out but why not invite other family members to eat out with you?

Sparkletastic · 29/08/2016 12:06

Snap with Imperial

Augustbaby22 · 29/08/2016 12:08

Why not, no mess no fuss!

I reckon my mum would secretly like to do that but she always insists on hosting and saying how much she loves cooking a Christmas dinner but when it comes to the day she's always stressing and moaning no one helps even after the millionth times I've gone in and asks if she needs me to do anything!

Pisssssedofff · 29/08/2016 12:10

We did it one year, I honestly didn't enjoy it. I don't really do the whole dinner thing on the day itself though, too much pressure. I'd buy all the shove it in the oven things from M&S instead.

macnab · 29/08/2016 12:11

Oh definitely do it! We did it years ago, actually I was 6 months pg on our first child, and it was fantastic. We went to a really posh hotel and the food was wonderful, as was the atmosphere etc. The downside was that it was expensive and two kids and 9 years later we still haven't been able to afford to do it again

MabelSideswipe · 29/08/2016 12:12

I have been to a restaurant for xmaslunch for the last two years. It was lovely. 40pp is not expensive as some are £80+. Its usually half for kids.

sleeponeday · 29/08/2016 12:14

DS was born at 38 weeks, would be my only question about this. Law of sod dictates that a meal you are spending £95 on will be one you can't go to because you're in labour.

I'd go the COOK route instead - even your DH can't mess that up. I tried to find the link but they don't have it up this time of year - basically they sell you a dinner with all the trimmings, frozen and ready, so he just sticks things in the oven and microwave on the day. It includes gravy, veg, the lot. And the small one will cost substantially less than your meal out, with probably nicer food, but you have complete flexibility. Cook food is really nice, it tastes almost as good as home cooking by a decent cook - I give it to people who've just had babies as it was a godsend to us when I had mine.

metaphoricus · 29/08/2016 12:15

When I was extremely pregnant one Xmas years ago, and had a small toddler - we pre-ordered an indian takeaway to collect on Xmas Eve.
(Pre-ordered, as xmas eve is obvs very busy)
Got it home, cooled it very quickly and reheated it on Xmas day.
Had a day-long Indian Feast laying around in jim-jams.
BEST Xmas ever!

PotteringAlong · 29/08/2016 12:20

I wouldn't. I'd buy marks and Spencer's bung in the oven stuff for minimal hassle and stay at home.

MitzyLeFrouf · 29/08/2016 12:21

I'd rather get stuff in from Cook or M&S and just stay at home where it's comfy.

RepentAtLeisure · 29/08/2016 12:23

He has plenty of time to learn how to cook a roast - it's really not that hard...

The only thing about restaurants is check their reviews online! I had my worst every sunday roast at a gorgeous little country pub, it was very disappointing!

TealGiraffe · 29/08/2016 12:26

I personally wouldn't.

i couldn't be arsed to get all dressed up, do my hair and face, etc. Then sit with loads of people i don't know, to have a dinner that probably won't be that great.

I would much prefer to get some ready prepped stuff i can whack in the oven pigs in blankets and lay in the sofa in my comfies watching tv and relaxing.

TealGiraffe · 29/08/2016 12:27

Plus as pp said you may be in labour / have a newborn and just want to snuggle!

dudsville · 29/08/2016 12:29

I went out for christmas dinner once. We were hosting inlaws who refused to be hosted so booked a table instead. Do your research. Although we went to one of the best hotels in town it was a terrible experience for such a family/friends/home kind of day. The food was bland and we shared a table with people.... Honestly. go to the shop. Get a ready prepped chicken crown, get nice frozen items, but only a few. Buy some nice cakes and treats and things and put your feet up knowing all OH has to do is time management - and you can even help him with that if need be.

BackforGood · 29/08/2016 12:30

I don't think this new fashion of restaurants / pubs opening on Christmas day is right at all. I know emergency / medical staff have to work, but there is no need for people to go out to eat on Christmas day. I think it's really selfish, tbh.
In your particular case, I wouldn't either, because you can't predict when babies come - you might be in labour, or have had the baby by then, or, might just be too uncomfortable to want to do anything other than lie on the settee in your PJs.
Treat yourself to some M&S ready prepared stuff, and stay home.

hmcAsWas · 29/08/2016 12:34

Tip the waiting staff 15% and ditch the guilt

JaneAustinAllegro · 29/08/2016 12:38

if you have the type of DD who will sit quietly and behave beautifully rather than running around like she's eaten the contents of a chocolate laced stocking earlier in the day, and who wants to be at home playing with her new toys, then fill your boots.

M&S at home with a reduced guestlist (or guests who accept preparation and tidying duties as part of the invitiation - no shame in that) would be far more relaxing I think, and more fun for your DD

MiaowJario · 29/08/2016 12:38

YANBU, I was a waitress whilst at school. Always used to work Xmas day for the double time and massive tip! So if youn feel bad about it (or suspect the wait people are not getting an enhanced rate), just give a good tip.

MargaretCavendish · 29/08/2016 12:40

I don't think this new fashion of restaurants / pubs opening on Christmas day is right at all.

The pub in my parents' village has been opening for a few hours on Christmas Day for at least 20 years. There's never a shortage of people to work the shift - it pays well in the first place and then you get big tips.

OnGoldenPond · 29/08/2016 12:46

Sounds like heaven! Definitely do it!

Now is the time to think of what makes life easier for you and your immediate family. Save the big family do for another year when you have more energy.

And give a really big tip, in cash direct to the waitress.

DailyMailEthicalFail · 29/08/2016 12:47

I'd go for the complete M&S job,
as you are flexible then if you go into labour etc.

But definitely DONT do it all from scratch at home.

Flip

1 2 3 4