Does anyone else not feel obliged to cook a traditional dinner?

[Magenta46]

For the past few years I have not cooke what you would consider a tradition Christmas meal. I cannot abide the lingering smell or the fact that we have to eat leftovers for the next week or so.
About 5 years ago I decided to make a celebratory meal that everyone would actually enjoy.
So far we have had Jamaican, Thai, Indian and Tex Mex cuisine. Always well received and a lot less hassle and more affordable.
Not sure it should be posted in AIBU, but just wondering why so many of us stick to tradition ?

@swimmerforlifr don’t forget the pavlova.anx I agree the traditional Christmas dinner for DH and I is the BBQ. Let’s say we won’t do that to our children. We normally have a pav though but this year I tried a Yule log.

We don’t have turkey because we don’t particularly like turkey. Well... it’s fine, but for what is supposed to be a ‘special’ meal I just don’t find it particularly special.
We still put a lot of effort in (well, DH cooks), but into something we actually really want to eat.
Yesterday was fillet of beef. Last year was venison wellington. None of us like Christmas pudding, or pudding in general really so we have a really special cheese board.

I don't know anyone in real life who doesn't at least do a roast. And no one that panics over making it!

No-one in our family likes turkey, but they all love a roast. We have a goose every year and that works really well for us.

I like cooking a nice roast for about 4-8 people and dont find it hard - but I hate doing christmas dinner for 12-15. I have a lot of family expecarion that i will take my turn in preparing it. It makes a very stressful day.

My kids don't like roast dinners I'm sure they aren't mine and we're switched at birth so we have a day long buffet that all family that comes contributes too. It's so relaxed and chilled.

The boy's go to their Dad's today and so the rest of us are going for a roast dinner.

Perfect

We used to do a River Cafe baked sea bass when it was just the two of us. It was lovely.

We’ve had years where we went out for a curry instead and it was lovely. We’ve also had Guyanese and Jamaican Christmas dinners (DHs family).

I love a good old roast, but I’ve no objections to doing something completely different.

I really fancy Christmas on the beach next year (funds allowing). I have visions of lovely seafood and cold white wine in the sun .

We’ve done all sorts for Christmas meal in the past - the funny bit is how other people react when they find out you don’t do turkey - it’s like their brain is exploding, they agree that turkey isn’t the nicest meat but they are such slaves to tradition they would never dare to challenge it.

I wonder how many children sit there eating Christmas Dinner because of the tradition but would really rather have anything else? But they can't say because they don't want to upset anyone.

Buffet in our house is now tradition.

We got a pack of deli turkey slices from costco. I had morning sickness when we planned Xmas dinner and couldn't cook meat. We both worked together cooking so it was fun instead of stressful. I love a roast dinner and added bits that we wouldn't have on a normal roast dinner. We were in the kitchen prepping for 10min. Shoved it all in the oven and only had to pop in a few times to add something.
My parents go out for dinner with my aunt and uncle now we've all left home. Do what's right for you.

I wonder how many children sit there eating Christmas Dinner because of the tradition but would really rather have anything else? One year we made a tomato sauce with pasta - it was the kid’s favourite food. People wince when we tell them - we had very happy kids, it was a no brainer!
My sister has 3 boys and she cooks their favourite dinners - 3 different meals - 3 happy boys it’s her thing and she loves it!
I always consult my kids bout the menu - it’s always different and I want everyone to look forward to eating it. No turkey. No bread sauce.

We have the same cooked lunch every Christmas but it’s never turkey - none of us are that keen on it! It has become a combination of English and NZ traditions - so Yule log and pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, salads and two slow roasted ducks, shredded with pancakes and hoi sin sauce.

We all love crispy duck and it seems perfect to have our favourite meal on Christmas Day. Plus it’s easy as - two ducks, low oven, 5.5h, sorted.