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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does anyone not bother with the full Xmas Dinner?

121 replies

Pebbledashery · 21/12/2020 19:14

As much as I love Xmas Dinner.. This is the first Xmas as a single mother to my little girl.. Which I'm really looking forward to.. WIBU just not to bother will a full on dinner just for us two? Tbh.. Roast dinner isn't my DDs favourite.. She'd just be happy with a plate of roasties and Yorkshire puddings...or pasta!! Is it a bit killjoy not to do Xmas Dinner for 1.5 people? Is anyone else not bothering with a full on dinner?

OP posts:
Blibbyblobby · 21/12/2020 19:41

On the years when it's just me and DH (we have no DC and don't always visit family) we chat in November and decide how much effort we want to make. Some years it's a full Christmas dinner with veggie version for him and meat for me, some years a cut down version, and some years something completely different.

Once we decided to do no shopping until Christmas day itself and see what we ended up with (we live in a very multicultural area and lots of food shops are open on Christmas day). That was Christmas Curry year Grin.

This year we are having bangers and mash. My bangers will be a delicious mix of sausages and piggies in blankets and his will be some vegetarian travesty Wink but he is fine with that.

The important thing is we decide what's going to be important to us that year to make us feel like it's a treat and make sure we include it. So while it's not always a big performance, it's always a special meal.

Alargeoneplease · 21/12/2020 19:41

I always used to go all out and do Christmas dinner... one year it was just my son and I and so we decided to have picky, party food. As I tucked him into bed that night, my son declared he’d had the “best Christmas ever!” I wasn’t confined to the kitchen all day and didn’t stress once!
We’ve had all sorts - pizza, party food and this year it’s steak! And always has to
Be washed down with a glass (or two!) of fizz 😉

FreeFallingFree · 21/12/2020 19:42

After realising that the Christmas meal everyone most enjoyed was the cold meat, cheeses and pickles on Boxing Day, we skip the roast now and serve that as the main event.

Zubla · 21/12/2020 19:42

Have a wonderful Christmas and eat just whatever you like with your little one! What they will remember and enjoy is that you weren’t frazzled and that you ate food you both enjoyed.
Well done on leaving an abusive partner and being so positive - all the best for 2021

Frenchdressing · 21/12/2020 19:44

Used to have roast beef as a kid. As a grown up I have a vegetarian meal. Still have the trimmings though. Why would I miss the chance of roast potatoes?!

Original poster
Pebbledashery · 21/12/2020 19:44

@Zubla thank you xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Pebbledashery · 21/12/2020 19:45

Party food sounds lovely 😊😊😊

OP posts:
Iwantmychairback · 21/12/2020 19:45

We had a lovely roast dinner yesterday.
Just us two for Christmas and neither of us wants another ‘big’ meal. So I think we are going Italian, pasta or pizza, then snacking on Christmas chocolates.

TeachesOfPeaches · 21/12/2020 19:46

Im a single mum and did my 4 year old bangers mash last Xmas as it's his favourite. Your house, your choice Grin

zigaziga · 21/12/2020 19:47

Oh God, I hate Christmas dinner. If I wasn’t with DH (who enjoys a traditional Turkey and all the sides affair and also does approx 99% of the cooking) I would definitely not have it.

1forAll74 · 21/12/2020 19:48

Just eat what you feel like eating, there are no rules to be followed at all.

Boulshired · 21/12/2020 19:50

We have pigs in blankets for breakfast, this year we are having steak and chips for dinner and then our body weight in deserts for supper. Except DD who will have her usual vegan diet. Haven’t had a roast for quite a few years, I think because we usually have two roasts a week anyway.

Itsamess8456 · 21/12/2020 19:55

I usually host for 14 people. This year will be me and 3 dc. We are spurning tradition and having a "buffet" (also known as picky tea). I'm planning on having lots and bringing it back out on boxing day. Smile

Hopeisnotastrategy · 21/12/2020 19:56

@Pebbledashery

I think it's just "tradition" isn't it.. But i wouldn't eat mine until DD goes to bed anyway so I'd be eating on my own 😜.. Just grateful to be away from the horribly abusive relationship I was in this time last year and spending Xmas happy and safe xx
Bless you OP.

We aren't big on a traditional roast dinner here, we have our own traditions. Everyone should do what feels right for them, and never more so than this year.

And given where you've come from (very well done on that! ) I'm willing to bet you could eat cold beans out of a tin and they would still taste like nectar from the gods, because this year you are both free and safe.

Have a virtual hug. Merry Christmas! 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Inthemuckheap · 21/12/2020 19:57

Seafood platter here with extra oysters. Making the most of not being able to see family/kids etc. and having what we enjoy!

Gardenista · 21/12/2020 19:58

Party food here for me and 5 year old DD- we have lots of Christmas cutters and I’m really looking forward to being creative for our special meal..

Original poster
Pebbledashery · 21/12/2020 19:58

@Hopeisnotastrategy hehe your post made me well up a bit. Its true. I could have beans on toast in my lovely new house with my baby girl and that's the best Christmas ever to me 😊. Hugs xxx

OP posts:
blissfulllife · 21/12/2020 20:00

We call a picky tea a "picnic plate" in our house lol!

Roast pork and stuffing baps is this years request in our house 😁

Yesmate · 21/12/2020 20:01

I’m doing steak and chips. My DS will have sausage instead and we are having onion rings and pigs in blankets because we love them!
Instead of a prawn cocktail he is having prawn cocktail crisps.
Have a wonderful Christmas

ProudAuntie76 · 21/12/2020 20:02

None of us actually like Turkey. It’s not a special meal for us. We eat what we consider to be a treat. Yes, it’s a roast but usually Lamb or a really top knotch beef joint.

Eat what you fancy. It’s ridiculous that for some people “turkey, sprouts, pigs in blankets” etc is the only acceptable option on Christmas Day. Feast how you like and sod boring conventions.

parallax80 · 21/12/2020 20:03

Me and three primary school aged kids. Halfway house really, minimal effort roast dinner...

Ready to cook chicken breasts, ready to cook roast potatoes, kids will chop whatever veg they want (probably carrots, cauliflower and broccoli).

Chocolate log with ice cream for pudding.

Thought about paper plates, but decided against but it was a very close run thing!

Aahotep · 21/12/2020 20:03

We have duck breast and dauphinoise potatoes. The kids have whatever they ask for. This year shepherds pie. I'll make a big one and then boxing day is taken care of. Not had a turkey dinner for 15 years and I don't miss it

SecretWitch · 21/12/2020 20:04

We are having Tacos. My 13. Yr old requested this and I am happy not to be sat in the kitchen all of Christmas cooking.

GrannieD · 21/12/2020 20:04

As a single mum years ago me and the kids had a picnic on the lounge floor on a picnic blanket for Christmas lol

DialsMavis · 21/12/2020 20:07

As we cant see family we are going out for a curry!