To order a takeaway for Christmas dinner when I'm hosting?

[thirteendolphins]

I have 2 DC's - nearly 4yo and 10 months at Christmas. I have invited my parents round for Christmas dinner, MIL, brother and partner and a friend. So 7 adults and 2 kids in total.

DP will be working on Christmas day and won't be home til about 7pm.

To be honest I get stressed out just making a roast dinner, the number of dishes to wash etc freak me out, the kids are going to be hyper, we'll have different guests visiting the boys late morning, the house will be a bomb site. If DP was here he'd make the Christmas dinner because he doesn't mind and is the complete opposite to me when it comes to cooking i.e. he is unflappable.

I, on the other hand, will get completely stressed, will be in the kitchen most of the day cooking and tidying up, will also be trying to keep up with the constant demands from the kids and trying to entertain the guests. I can feel my anxiety levels rising just thinking about it.

So I've thought about getting an Indian takeaway meal instead and providing pudding. My parents do this most Christmas days so I know they won't mind. It just seems so much EASIER. But I LOVE Christmas dinner (when someone else is doing it). I feel like I'm cheating.

But then I think surely the most important thing is that we're all together and I'm enjoying the kids and the guests and it's relaxed. Surely it won't be much fun for the guests if I'm flapping about, bright red and on the edge of tears???

AIBU??

Am I the only one who thinks it would be quite sad if the op doesn't have a take away curry on Xmas day? I think it could be really nice. I would be happy to be a guest.

And I am considering doing it myself, but there are two problems - 1, dd hates curry, and 2, all the take aways round our way are closed on Xmas day.

I think a nice takeaway would be much better than some of the other suggestions here! Mainly:
Aunt Bessie roast potatoes. Just no.
Cooking the day before, 'plating up' and microwaving on the day. Also just no. Why would someone want a plate of reheated stuff that someone else has chosen quantities of each thing for them? Proper Xmas roast is serve yourself out of big bowls, the amount you want and lots left over for the evening/next day.
Roasting salad potatoes, microwaving peas sweetcorn and carrots, adding chicken and calling that Xmas dinner. No!
However the conclusion of buy most from m and s and add your own amazing proper roast potatoes sounds a good plan to me!

I am concerned that the OP is bullied into making a Christmas dinner and all the things she us worried about actually happen. This would just turn Xmas into a horrible day for all. Enjoy the curry and company

I'd rather have a takeaway than turkey!

Op....do you have a slow cooker? A steamer? A microwave?
Nice piece of pork loin in the slow cooker, veg in the steamer, frozen so you don't have to prepare it, do your own spuds, buy a jar(s) of apple sauce, buy your stuffing.
Don't bother with a starter if you don't want. Buy some desserts and get some cheese and biscuits in.
Have a drink or 2!
Easy and relaxed Xmas day.