To just do a basic Christmas lunch?

[lemonpopsy]

Is there really the need for all the extras? I'm really stressing about the expectations over the Christmas lunch with the in laws.

We have a 3 month old and a 22 month old. Both are awful sleepers at the moment and have had back to back bugs for a month now.
DH and I feel exhausted 99% of the time.

MIL announced she can't wait for all the courses and my DH's homemade Yorkshire puds.

They are coming to us for Christmas. I love them, I really do but I just wish we hadn't invited them this year and had a quiet one.

I'm being pathetic I know but is it really so bad to get a decent joint of beef, roast potatoes, veg and stuffing? Obviously followed by some home made M & S puddings?

howaboutPeople are talking about a glass of fizz...hardly passsing around the Diamond White! It’s not at all rude to assume there will be alcohol with lunch on Xmas day

I also think MIL was just saying she’s looking forward to coming rather than being demanding

If youve offered to host I think you should put a decent dinner on. I know its hard with two young children I have two aswell 3 and 1 and have cooked dinner for the last few years.

Premade stuff is the way to go! Morrisons do some great starters even posh fishy type ones ready to flop onto plate or stuff to throw in oven and serve up. Weve just got duck straws to start served on a platter in the living room before the main.

Buy a ready made dessert too. Chocolatey one and maybe trifle or Christmas pud.

Or failing that get them so pissed on procecco they fall asleep before diner is served....job done

Frozen Lidl goosefat roast potatoes.
Frozen cauliflower and broccoli in an oven dish, smothered with cheese sauce, cooks brilliantly.
Smoked salmon, bagged salad, dollop of horseradish as a starter
Get them to bring her favourite veg dish and the pudding.

Don't let it overwhelm you- it's just a dinner, and with a little bit of planning it will work out fine.

@Howabout

I don't know how anyone could get through a lunch without "indulging in alcohol" with a 1 and 3 year old around 😂 ESPECIALLY hosting. It's Christmas!!

I see the dipsomaniacs are out in force this am. Lack of sleep, babies, stressed chefs, breakable wine glasses, driving and alcohol at lunch time are a pretty high risk combination imho.

I am not teetotal but am surprised by how many see alcohol as a necessary accompaniment to a small family gathering with infant DC.

I dont know whether you're trying to be goady or you genuinely think people who want a glass or two of wine with Christmas lunch are dipsos.

My dad and my grandparents were not drinkers, and even they liked a sherry and a couple of glasses of wine on Christmas Day. The OP is old enough to have two children of her own, im sure she can manage her alcohol intake for herself.

I've hosted so many times and have never done starters or lots of different veg, or Yorkshire puddings. Who needs roast potatoes and mash? We always have lots of pigs in blankets, though, and cranberry sauce is a must with turkey.
It's just Christmas pud, cheese and fruit afterwards, too.
Nobody's ever complained.

If you are doing beef then the YPs ARE the starter, with gravy.

Snitzel Red cabbage is, cabbage that is red. It pickles well but can also be cooked and eaten the same way a white cabbage would.

If you are a "super-parent", or a complete geek you can then have your children use the cooking water to test the pH of things.

The 'spiced' cabbage is usually braised with apples, possibly sultanas, cinnamon and often orange zest.

We don't do starters. No room for pud otherwise. Get ready prepared stuff and ask MIL to bring dessert. Surely she wouldn't expect you to spend hours preparing dinner with 2 little ones. Get your DH to do his Yorkshire's though if you having beef. Who does pigs with blankets etc with beef? Joint of beef, roast potatoes and parsnips. Yorkshire's and veg selection.

@howabout you must be thrilling company, but I mean you're right, BREAKABLE wine glasses, the horror, I will switch to a sippy cup and toast to you this Christmas.

Just tell them. You're not doing loads of courses because with two babies nobody will be able to sit for ages and enjoy them anyway. Ask her to sort dessert. Do the roast beef etc yourselves and perhaps DH could run to the home made Yorkshires as it's Christmas, and make a fuss about how he's made them just for her.

Unless there's a backstory you're not telling us about, it'll be fine. A reasonable and sensible person won't have an issue with any of it.

We don’t do starters. We have our canapé and nibbles dinner on Christmas Eve. Keeps us going nicely but isn’t too heavy the day before a lot of indulgence.

Christmas Day we have our dinner at four or five, so we have a light lunch of cheese and pâtés, crackers, pork pies, whatever other bits and bobs we want. Biiscuits, mince pies and chocolates to graze on if anyone fancies it, We then have just a Christmas dinner, no starters or pudding. Later in the evening we have a light pudding or some more cheese and accompaniments.

I really don’t think you need to be putting yourself under any pressure.

Cosiness, Christmas cheer, chilling and relaxing, that’s what you should aim for, and youlll know best how to achieve that.

"Is your MiL ok with a joint? She won't strip if there's no turkey, will she?"

the joint and the strip made me lol so hard

here's a massive spliff instead of a turkey...

YANBU not to do multiple courses but there is no reason to have beef instead of turkey. Turkey takes no more effort than beef so just do turkey. Pigs in blankets can be bought from any supermarket and just require shoving in the oven. Other than that Xmas dinner is no different to any other roast in my experience anyway.

Imo if they are coming to you, they have what you are cooking and that's it. If there is something specific they insist on having, then they bring it, ready to heat up or just plate up.

I agree with everyone saying but things pre-prepared if you can. DH can make his Yorkshire puddings now and freeze them. They take five minutes to thaw and warm through in the oven on the day.

User I just have not so fond memories of Christmas with a baby and a toddler and all the "grown ups" expecting me to play mine host while making absolutely no adjustment or attempt to join in with prep or clear up or childcare. Worse still if they are also dictating menus and timings and grumbling about less than model DC behaviour while leaving wine glasses and coffee cups all over the place.

Beef with Yorkies and Turkey with crispy bacon surely? It's a texture thing.

YANBU. She can bring along any extras that she really can't do without. What you suggested sounds perfect.

Thanks all so much for the replies.

I think we're going to have a look at some M & S pre made stuff to make it easier. DH also thinks we should say that we'll obviously put on a nice spread but we're not going crazy with endless courses and canapés like MIL does when she hosts Christmas and we won't be offended if they'd rather go the to very naice restaurant they usually go to.

I'm pleased I'm not completely unreasonable. MIL isn't usually a PITA and we are very close but she does have a very different opinion on how Christmas should be done to me and I've been stressing about it to be honest.

Thanks again

Oh and I don't think there will be any stripping over the beef.... but is it wrong that I secretly hope there is it will be a Christmas to remember that's for sure!

I think your Aunt Bessie also makes a lovely home made yorkshire pudding too, OP. I'm sure she'd be delighted to help out this year.

Mske your Christmas dinnerbthe way you enjoy.. they are joining you- you arent Gordon Ramsay. If mil isn’t impressed she may prefer to stay st home next year.. winner winner budget low key dinner 😂

I’d just be very honest (and flattering to MIL ) and say you don’t think you’ll be able to do all the wondeful extra things she does, you can manage the roast and veg but think the extras will have to be M&S unless she’d rather bring them?

(Also impressed you offered to host with two under two! )

WTAF!?!? Endless courses and canapés!?!

If you have got the cash buy everything pre-prepared from M&S.