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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To say sod it and have steak and chips?

60 replies

Sundancer77 · 18/12/2019 12:55

We live abroad and this year won’t be returning to the uk for Christmas. It’s myself, my dp, dd 17 months and our dog. I was writing the list for the Christmas Day meal/Christmas food.. the meat, veg, starters, desserts, breakfast, booze, chocs, cheese & crackers, nibbles, Xmas eve meal etc etc and we got to talking about the price..we’d be spending roughly the same amount for the food that lasts 2-3 days as probably a two week shop..plus, cooking time, washing up and so on. My dp suggested having a good steak, chips and wine..less cost, hassle, more time to relax and play with Dd and it tastes good...I do like the idea but still can’t feeling it’s not ‘Christmassy’ enough and should we do the proper Xmas day dinner with all the trimmings..what would you do?

OP posts:

Imoan123 · 18/12/2019 13:42

Many years ago my family had a bbq! We had surf & turf with steak, chicken and salmon. Steak and chips sounds perfect, don't forget the onion rings.

Ninkanink · 18/12/2019 13:43

Duck would be a good option too, if you’d rather do something more special. Not too expensive, stuff it with apples, prunes and thyme, potatoes plus one veg and job done!

But really just do whatever is easiest and the least stress or hassle. All you need is some mince pies, a couple of cheeses and some port (or whatever tipple makes it Christmas for you) and a Christmas film in the afternoon - that will create all the ambience you need. Plus you can dress the table nicely which always makes such a difference!

fairygodbaker · 18/12/2019 13:43

DP and I aren't huge fans of turkey. This year, we'll be having paella de marisco, last year, we had dry rub ribs, and the year before that, if my memory hasn't failed me, we had salmon!

Christmas is about having a nice meal with the people you love. Everything else is secondary and doesn't really matter to me tbh.

rhubarbcrumbles · 18/12/2019 13:45

Steak and chips sounds great. When we lived back home we didn't have a roast turkey as it was too much faff in the middle of summer, do whatever suits you.

EssentialHummus · 18/12/2019 13:45

was only saying to someone this morning that if there was a Chinese takeaway open on Christmas Day, that they'd be crazy busy.

There are usually a few open . As a Jew this is our annual Christmas tradition, with champagne and mince pies.

Justasconfusedwithnumber2 · 18/12/2019 13:46

Sounds like a great idea. We're doing the turkey this year but have boycotted NYE for the first time ever - son is 2 so doesn't care for one, and I am heavily pregnant on top. Honestly I am SO happy at the thought of shutting the door, having a normal dinner, son off to bed and me and DH playing bananagrams in my pj's for as long as we stay awake....its not about the box ticking, you need to ENJOY it.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas

amusedbush · 18/12/2019 13:47

Christmas 2016 was steak for us. We spent a ridiculous amount on really good ribeye steaks and had them with hasselback potatoes, veg and a creamy/cheesy/mustardy sauce that DH just threw together

We never have turkey because, let's face it, it's horrible we usually have all the usual Christmas trimmings but with gammon/pork/beef/duck.

SarahAndQuack · 18/12/2019 13:48

That sounds delicious to me.

If it were me, I'd buy some excellent mince pies, a big bowl of clementines (they always smell like Christmas morning to me), treat yourself to a lovely vase or two of Christmassy greenery, and buy whatever treats you associate with Christmas (eg., box of chocolates, smoked salmon for breakfast, whatever). That way the trimmings will make you think of Christmas and it'll still cost less than going way overboard.

TheLittleBrownFox · 18/12/2019 13:51

You do you, but Christmas day God doesn't have to be expensive. I saw a post yesterday on an eat for 50p a day group about how you could have a Christmas-ish lunch to that sort of budget, so you definitely don't have to spend a fortune. But have whatever you fancy!

Riddleofthesands · 18/12/2019 13:53

Steak and chips sounds great, I would definitely do it while you have the option.

georgialondon · 18/12/2019 13:54

Have it and go for a Christmassy dessert!

Watchagotcha · 18/12/2019 13:54

We are «abroad» too and have never had turkey and trimmings unless we go back to the U.K. for Christmas. We are staying home this year, no visitors and it’s going to be great! Plenty of telly, films, pj days and best of all not ricocheting round the rellies for a week: we usually spend Christmas week either in the car or perched on someone’s sofa eating Christmas cake and making small chat...

But I digress... this year we are having duck confit, duck-fat roasties and haricot vert for main course - though I may slip some pigs-in-blankets in the oven too.

So IMHO you ANBU - enjoy the steak frites!

StealthPolarBear · 18/12/2019 13:56

A joint of beef on the barbecue? Does that work?

Redglitter · 18/12/2019 13:57

was only saying to someone this morning that if there was a Chinese takeaway open on Christmas Day, that they'd be crazy busy

Most of the ones round here are open

ChristmasCroissant · 18/12/2019 13:57

OP, I get the feeling that you want the traditional Christmas Dinner which is fine, I like it too. Alternatives are also fine. If you want the traditional dinner but are worried about the cost see if you can cut back on any of the stuff that we always buy too much of (or is that just me that suddenly feels the need for a large selection of different cheeses).

dottiedodah · 18/12/2019 13:57

I got my lipstick on .I dont know where you are in UK ,but several Chinese open and Ubereats delivering Christmas Day!(South Coast) .

Beseen19 · 18/12/2019 13:59

We had chinese a few years ago as a family. DS was due imminently and MIL didnt want to do a full roast if we maybe weren't coming/she would be stressed with all the palava if the baby was just born. Best christmas I've had and would 100% do it again

dottiedodah · 18/12/2019 14:01

I remember when my Son was about 5 months old .Cooked some Beef Christmas Eve ,and had it cold Christmas Day ! Lovely I would most certainly have Steak and Chips if I were you (Sounds great )

oncemorewithfeeling99 · 18/12/2019 14:02

Sounds like heaven!!

Eledamorena · 18/12/2019 14:04

Another one who loves abroad and doesn't see the need for a turkey dinner on Christmas Day... we usually have a BBQ if in a hot country. This year we think we will do a more traditional Christmas dinner, mostly because we've just moved house and haven't got a BBQ yet, and because it's been a few years. Pretty sure my children don't remember what gravy is But I will do chicken and ham as I think turkey is a bit rubbish, and very expensive here.

I think Christmas in the UK would feel a bit weird to me without some sort of roast but really everyone should do whatever they fancy. Where we live now, we have neighbours from all over the world and of those who 'do' Christmas, there is little consensus on what that really means... the Aussies tend to prefer a BBQ, for example, and the Brits a roast. Theres's a Dutch family who celebrate by having everyone choose a favourite dish and they make those and have a meal based around that, which I thought sounded lovely!

Enjoy your steak, OP, and buy some favourite Christmas treats and lay the table nicely to make it feel more special. It'll be lovely.

AlternativePerspective · 18/12/2019 14:08

Don’t forget the peppercorn sauce. .

Seriously I will never understand the massive amount of work (and money) people fork out on what is essentially a glorified roast dinner. We’re doing Christmas at home for the first time in a long time and I will buy a pre-prepared, pre-stuffed turkey crown, roast potatoes, carrots and peas, oh and Yorkshire puddings of course. And I might do pigs in blankets I just like them so why not.

But I love a roast dinner, but not a chance would I spend hours in the kitchen making stuffing and cranberry sauce and parsnips and sprouts and all that.

strawberrieshortcake · 18/12/2019 14:11

Chinese Takeaway (as well as corner shops) are always open on holidays where I am. Don’t doubt that they open on Christmas too. Probably one of their best sales days.

Witsendagain · 18/12/2019 14:12

Last year my dh had a sensitive belly on Christmas day so we had a very basic meal and instead went for a lovely wintery walk.

We had a Sunday roast on/ Christmas Dinner on boxing day.

It was a revelation! Made Christmas so simple and calm! I would definately go for a simpler meal again.

diddl · 18/12/2019 14:18

I don't like steak so it would be a no from me.

But will it cut down your food bill by that much?

We do a typical Christmas lunch, but starters, puddings, sweets, chocs, cheese, crackers...er no!

TreestumpsAndTrampolines · 18/12/2019 14:20

We once had those steaks with the rib attached - cowboy steaks I think - as Christmas dinner when we were abroad. I can't recommend it enough. Looked as good on the table as a turkey (like something from the flintstones), and tasted fantastic, and beef sandwiches the next couple of days. What's not to like.

Have whatever you fancy.

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