Would you bother with the traditional meal or eat something else instead?

[Wheneveryonesmokedinpubs]

Live abroad with Dp and toddler dd.
Won’t be going home to the U.K. for Christmas or having anyone over on Xmas day (will see friends in the lead up to Xmas)
Have had a traditional Christmas meal every Christmas my entire life.
Was chatting to dp about the cost and effort of it all, he said let’s not have it 🤷🏻‍♀️Spend less than we do on all the crap and just eat something nice we like.
Would you do it or stick to traditional because it’s Christmas?
If you wouldn’t, what would you/could we have instead?

I think we’d have lamb done on the bbq with salad and some form of roast potatoes. And have a Christmas dinner out with friends before Christmas.

We sometimes buy a take away curry and have it Xmas day.

@Justcannotbearsed Not really warm enough for bbq, sounds delicious though

I'd eat my favourite food regardless of the season.

We had pizza one year. It was the shittest Christmas ever. My kids love pizza and agreed it wasn't the same. We're all different though and it could be a new way forward for you.

I'm having duck. I wouldn't eat turkey unless you paid me quite a lot to.

Eat your favourite meal and the one that you all enjoy the most.

I’d probably have pork or lamb if I were doing a roast, or if there was a good fishmonger nearby, something like turbot.
What are the local delicacies/specialities where you live? Perhaps have one of those?

We've never made a Christmas dinner in the 40yrs we've been married. Late breakfast of nice pastries, huge cappuccinos and champagne/Prosecco followed by early evening table loaded with snacks or foods that require no cooking and we can snack on all night.

We’ve got a huge seafood platter and going to get some M&S party food - did this last year and loved it , not a fan of the glorified Sunday lunch hassle

I would just do a small roast. Like a Sunday lunch.
It doesn't take that much effort. We do one most weeks through winter. It's not particularly tricky. And then you won't feel like you haven't marked the occasion.

You should eat what makes you feel happy, not what you feel you should.

One year, I ate way too much at Christmas and spent all night feeling absolutely terrible. I was still not over it next year and hated the thought of eating a Christmas dinner again, so while everyone else had their traditional meal, I was having a Chinese curry from a restaurant. It was great and I would do it again if I ever fancy it.

I would have a beautiful seafood platter. Or cheese. Or duck breast/steak if there has to be meat.

I've had whatever I fancied
That's been everything from sausage and mash to McDonald's to Indian takeaway!

I like having the traditional foods but I have done a very light touch version some years - a small bird like a duck, potatoes, carrots, sprouts, gravy, one sauce and a bought pudding with cream. Tbh that doesn't cost much more.

Im not sure what I will do when I eventually do have Christmas solo - like others I would probably prioritise Christmas breakfast and have a cheeseboard with nice wine around 5pm.

I think also if you want to go vaguely traditional, work out the bits you want
So for me, I can live without the turkey and would be happy with a plate of Yorkshire puddings, pigs in blankets, nice veg and gravy
Might actually do that next year

I don’t get the obsession with Christmas dinner. My family and extended family have been out for a curry for as long as I can remember. I love a lot of spice. Only exception being lockdown when nowhere was open and even then we didn’t cook a traditional Christmas dinner. It’s a glorified Sunday lunch. And most weeks I don’t fancy one of those either. Eat what you enjoy!

I love roast dinners so I’m happy with a traditional Christmas dinner . We do have a choice of meat though as I prefer my turkey in a sandwich .

Someone I used to work with, asked her 4 kids to decide what they all should have for Christmas Dinner one year.
They requested chips and egg.
She said it was the best day ever as she didn't spend all day in the kitchen, and there was very little washing up.
As long as you're fed, and watered, does it matter? No, it does not.

It depends really...you might feel you're already missing out not seeing your family and friends at Christmas, giving up turkey dinner will either pale in comparison or be a step too far! It would be a step too far for me, I love Christmas dinner.

Christmas dinner is over rated, just a glorified Sunday roast, and turkey is foul ( pun intended!), so, as last year, it will be an East African style curry, probably rabbit or venison, if I can source it, with jollof rice and ugali or sadza - something I enjoy rather than feeling obliged to have the traditional, just because one must

I don’t agree that the three of you are not “worth” doing a Christmas dinner for. But I also cannot tell from your post whether you actually like it or not! If you don’t like it, don’t do it, but if you do like it then have it. It’s really not that much effort to make for three people.

Gosh life's too short. Eat the food you love not what you think you should eat. It's only a glorified roast dinner and you can do that any day. Sod it

If I was only feeding myself I would have a nice steak, chips, onion rings etc.