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Original poster

Non traditional Christmas Dinner

98 replies

PollyPocketLucyLocket · 16/09/2019 15:54

I know it's only September, so apologies.

This year it looks as though we may be home. We haven't had Christmas day at home for a few years, however I remember the faffing of prepping the meal and taking up precious time in the morning.

This year I think we'd all like to do something a bit different. None of us overly care about turkey anyway.
Has anyone done this?
We've thought of ordering in, or eating out, or even just having a completely different meal on the day.
Suggestions would be great Smile

OP posts:
lifecouldbeadream · 16/09/2019 15:58

M&S Pre ordered, Pre-prepped all the way. Turn oven on, put trays in, then serve. Easy as pie.

Original poster
PollyPocketLucyLocket · 16/09/2019 16:04

That sounds interesting. Is it good?
We were a bit put off on pre prepped stuff after we used Waitrose for an event one year, and were surprisingly disappointed.

OP posts:
poppycity · 16/09/2019 16:06

So many of my friends do this every year, I was surprised at first but I think it's smart but as a traditionalist whose family loves all the trimmings I couldn't myself. But. They do a mix of things like Chinese, Curry or pre-ordered Christmas dinners where it's delivered with all you need. They swear by it!

DonPablo · 16/09/2019 16:08

We have christmas dinner on the Sunday after Christmas. On Christmas day we have afternoon tea.

We start the day with crissiant, scrambled eggs, posh juice, etc. Then we get the cake stands out and make Christmasy sandwiches like brie and cranberry, turkey and stuffing, mini quiches, sushi (don't ask!), mini pigs in blankets, that kind of thing. Then we have a dessert table with miniature puddings, so mince pies, Christmas cup cakes, mini trifles, mini cheesecakes.

For tea, I just put out anything left over with nuts, crisps, a French stick and butter and a cheese board.

Yum!

Purpleartichoke · 16/09/2019 16:09

I’ve had excellent pre-prepped holiday dinners and disappointing ones. If you can, ask your neighbors who they have used that is your best bet.

I also think it’s ok to start your own traditions. Due to a cooking incident, my mother made an emergency replacement on our Christmas dinner. She dragged out her 70s era fondue pot and turned the surviving ingredients into a fondue dinner. We all loved it so much, we did it every year after. The only reason I didn’t continue the tradition in my own home is because boiling oil and a toddler is a scary combo. I’m going to try it when dd hits 11
or 12.

Calic0 · 16/09/2019 16:09

Our Christmas dinner for the last few days has been confit duck legs, mashed potato and braised red cabbage. The beauty of all those dishes is that they can be made well in advance which means minimal work on the day.

Whatever you decide though, I think non traditional is absolutely fine!

MissShapesMissStakes · 16/09/2019 16:10

For the last three years I’ve done a home made pizza. I make the dough. We all put what we want on our own pizza

None of us are that bothered about Christmas dinner. And us grown ups get so much more time playing and lounging around in pjs because of it. Not only is the prep time on the day saved, but Christmas food shopping is so much simpler (nothing seasonal that is in low supply) and the washing up is easier too.

Not sure Dh’s nan was too impressed but I’ve given up trying to impress her anyway. And she hasn’t been for Christmas dinner again Wink

formerbabe · 16/09/2019 16:12

We ate out one year, it was lovely not having to spend Christmas morning cooking...and no clearing up either. My oh was disappointed that there were no leftovers though.

I am not a fan of turkey. One year we had beef... personally I'd love a beef wellington or salmon en croute.

Or a big Mediterranean/Indian/middle Eastern feast would be delicious.

Have what you want

BeepBeeep · 16/09/2019 16:18

We usually order a curry or a Chinese for delivery on Xmas Eve and have that for Xmas day lunch.
It's a no cook no faff day in chez BeepBeeep.

TomHagenMakesMyBosomTremble · 16/09/2019 16:19

We have a non turkey roast with a few extras- we basically pick what we like for Christmas. I go to my parents for Christmas.

I've warned them though, that once I host, I'll cook what I fancy for Christmas and it probably won't be a roast as I loathe cooking them!

Skyejuly · 16/09/2019 16:20

Yes. Was a life changer. We go for a xmas dinner at pub few days before xmas then have a easy dinner and buffet on xmas day.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 16/09/2019 16:23

We had steak and chips last Christmas Day, it was lovely, might do that again. Husband would like sausages eggs, chips and beans every day of the week...

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 16/09/2019 16:28

My family love all the trimmings but not the turkey

So I just make a but extra of a few things when we have a roast dinner from around now and freeze. Sausage stuffing, braised red cabbage, even roast potatoes. I buy ready made yorkshires. On the day I'm just re-heating and then we have whatever we fancy with it. Roast beef, beef Wellington, duck, goose, even BBQd some meat one year.

EileenAlanna · 16/09/2019 16:30

I used to get stressed in my younger days over the Christmas dinner until I discovered port. Used to leave a tray with the DC for Santa with milk & mince pies then had a brainwave one year & left him a glass of port instead of the milk.
Once the DC were in bed & safely asleep I'd have the port & mince pies & start the dinner (I always cook the turkey on Christmas Eve night) topping the glass up as I went. Next day the port came out again to resume the cooking & I've continued to waft through everything in a relaxed, cheerful & stress-free way every Christmas since. Any alcohol would do but port is very festive & a personal favourite Wine

Bloodybridget · 16/09/2019 16:36

Last Christmas, we had our two young DGCs and their parents with us for a week; that included one vegetarian, one non fish eater, one fairly fussy 3yo, two tired hosts! We made two big lasagnes in advance, one meat, one veggie; it's the children's favourite, everyone happy. Had a traditional turkey roast with all the family a few days beforehand. The previous year, it was such hard work trying to get lunch cooked, going up and down to our basement kitchen while the children were desperate for us to be with them for present opening.

This year, DP and I are going to a hotel for three nights - no hosting, no cooking!!

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 16/09/2019 16:40

M&S Christmas! Why didn’t I think of that?

I have my sister coming around and she will find fault and take the mickey - so was real in danger of wearing the gravy on the 25th. This was I can just blame M&S! When does it open?

@EileenAlanna - I like your style!

cjpark · 16/09/2019 16:47

I try not to cook from Christmas Eve until 27th! It takes a bit of prep but it means I can relax and get sloshed. Christmas Eve is posh fish pie which I've made previously and frozen, Christmas Day is heating the MandS food and Boxing Day is colds.

fizzandchips · 16/09/2019 16:48

M&S pre ordered collected and cooked on Christmas Eve which we have for supper; everyone makes a bit of effort eg changes out of hoodie & trackies (teenagers). Christmas Day is then left overs with a few extra (M&S) Pigs in Blankets thrown in.
This has literally transformed Christmas for me. No cooking on Christmas Day and although we all sit down together in the afternoon, if you happen to be in your PJs that’s fine by me! Everyone is so relaxed and I have time to spend time with my children rather than being stuck in the kitchen all morning.

Jaxhog · 16/09/2019 16:52

We bought ours from 'COOK' a few years ago. It was lovely, shop to freezer, freezer to oven, oven to tummy! Yum.

baldpate · 16/09/2019 16:52

We’ve had steak, or curry ordered Xmas eve less faff and more time not in the kitchen.

Nottobesoldseparately · 16/09/2019 16:56

Well you could stick to Turkey, as it's not actually traditional at all.

But, as that's likely to get me burnt at the stake....

DH asked me last year for a Smorgasbord/buffet for Christmas Day, so We could just graze and help ourselves as the day went on.
So we had, fish, prawns, pate, cheese, crusty bread, meats, mini quiche, sausages rolls etc with individual trifles, mince pies, Apple pie and cream.

He's asked for it again this year and I'm happy to do it but as I've got more notice I'm going to make a lot of the stuff myself and freeze it.

It doubles up as nibbles for any visitors too that call in.

MrsLinManuelMiranda · 16/09/2019 16:58

@DonPablo Your feast sounds wonderful, but I feel you have omitted something important........Your address!

Starbonnet123 · 16/09/2019 16:58

We have a traditional christmas dinner but with gammon and chicken as i don't like turkey and my partner and son in law have a curry . Its each to there own and have what you enjoy. Smile

AgeLikeWine · 16/09/2019 16:59

We are ABT at Christmas - anything but turkey.

DP loves cooking, so he usually does something yummy. Last year it was crab cocktail followed by venison cutlets with gratin dauphinois.

HandsOffMyRights · 16/09/2019 17:01

We've been out for a curry several times (we did this from when I was 19, so 27 years ago).

This year we're doing a buffet or a Christmas Eve meal. I'm vegan and DH is a crap cook so seems best option.

I don't want piles of washing up either so still thinking..

One year we went to Harvester because it was walkable and cheapish. It was awful. We waited 2 hours to be served. There's a lovely pub but it'll be £200 for 4 of us!