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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Christmas lunch costs crazy!!

61 replies

Selok · 05/10/2022 22:49

I know the businesses are trying to get back on their feet and hospitality had been hit the hardest but..I have been looking at Christmas lunch/dinner menus around where we live- prices are crazy like £150 per head is the cheapest I found so far. I was also looking for a two night stay somewhere close by including Xmas lunch - cost about £2,500 for two people - cheaper to go to Iceland, including flights, room only accommodation for 4 nights for 3 people is like £1,100 cheapest. How is this possible

OP posts:
LadyHester · 05/10/2022 22:50

Because people in the hospitality industry are finally demanding adequate remuneration for working on Christmas Day?

SavoirFlair · 05/10/2022 22:51

LadyHester · 05/10/2022 22:50

Because people in the hospitality industry are finally demanding adequate remuneration for working on Christmas Day?

THIS

/endthread

@Selok YABU

luxxlisbon · 05/10/2022 22:52

How is this possible

People don’t often want to work Christmas if they don’t have to, healthcare for example, so it’s difficult to have enough staff covering and double pay or more is the incentive.
You want to have a nice time with your loved ones, well so do the hospitality staff.

Falmerjeans · 05/10/2022 22:53

LadyHester · 05/10/2022 22:50

Because people in the hospitality industry are finally demanding adequate remuneration for working on Christmas Day?

This, completely.

luxxlisbon · 05/10/2022 22:53

£150 for lunch, probably 3 courses, on Christmas Day sounds about right. It’s a public holiday and arguably the biggest ‘family day’ of the year. Staff shouldn’t have to accept minimum wage to wait on people having a nice Christmas Day out.

Original poster
Selok · 05/10/2022 22:54

I get that- my husband has worked in retail many years and trust me I know he has never had a boxing day ever and always worked on 1st January- it is just way overpriced my husband never got anything extra for working boxing days and new year days- I wonder if staff gets more money- hope they do if they have enough customers as well

OP posts:
justasking111 · 05/10/2022 23:03

DS won't open his restaurant on Christmas Eve through to the day after boxing Day. Everyone is knackered he says. He won't open New year either.

It's family time

Peashoots · 05/10/2022 23:05

Selok · 05/10/2022 22:54

I get that- my husband has worked in retail many years and trust me I know he has never had a boxing day ever and always worked on 1st January- it is just way overpriced my husband never got anything extra for working boxing days and new year days- I wonder if staff gets more money- hope they do if they have enough customers as well

Working Boxing Day and new years is very different to working on Christmas Day, though. I’m a HCP and would kill for Christmas Day off even if it mean working every other bank holiday over the festive period.

TokenGinger · 05/10/2022 23:07

LadyHester · 05/10/2022 22:50

Because people in the hospitality industry are finally demanding adequate remuneration for working on Christmas Day?

It isn't this, though. In previous years, my friend who works in a chain restaurant was laid triple pay for working Christmas pay. Now it's double for all staff.

They're lining their pockets and the ones who deserve it for giving up their day with their families are the ones who miss out.

DenholmElliot1 · 05/10/2022 23:08

You could probably do it yourself really nicely for no more than £20 a head. why don't you do that instead?

marmitecake · 05/10/2022 23:11

My local (posh) hotel is £150 per head and that includes a glass of very nice champagne so that will be increasing the price however it also includes risotto as the veggie option. That's why I don't eat away from home on Christmas Day, the after thought veggie and vegan option, not necessarily the cost and this dish sits on the menu alongside options for a fillet steak or turkey dinner with all the trimmings. (A few miles up the road another posh hotel is £135 per head and lovely sounding veggie wellingtons with the trimmings).

DaphneSprucesPippasClack · 05/10/2022 23:17

Cookfood do a pre cooks Xmas Dinner that's delivered just before. Really yummy. We've had that one twice. £50 ish I reckon. Last year we had one that was £100+ and it was nowhere near as tasty.

Kite22 · 05/10/2022 23:40

Agree with the first 3 or 4 answers.

If you work in an industry that HAS to work through, well, you know it is part of the job and accept it. But no restaurant HAS to be open. If they decide to, then it should be worth their while. I wish they weren't allowed to - like supermarkets. Unfair expecting hospitality staff to work when there is no need.

LovinglifeAF · 05/10/2022 23:44

Their costs have hugely gone up due to energy prices, there will be enough people who can afford to pay it and will do so

DilemmaDelilah · 06/10/2022 08:08

It depends where you go. We were considering going to stay in a Travelodge and eating Christmas dinner at one of their Table Table restaurants - the cost of that is less than half of what you are quoting. Or Toby Carvery are also doing Christmas dinner. Luckily we are now going to my daughter on Christmas day so we don't need to eat out 😁

thebellagio · 06/10/2022 08:16

We have booked to go out on Xmas day for the first time this year and we are paying £75 a head. There were a few really nice restaurants locally charging £95 a head but that was the highest I found. I guess it depends where you live

TheYearOfSmallThings · 06/10/2022 08:20

In fairness they can charge whatever they like, and people can decide whether to go or not. Nobody is entitled to a service at a price that is not attractive to the provider.

WomanStanleyWoman2 · 06/10/2022 08:48

LadyHester · 05/10/2022 22:50

Because people in the hospitality industry are finally demanding adequate remuneration for working on Christmas Day?

Awwh, bless. How sweet that you think the money will be going on better wages for staff.

mogsrus · 06/10/2022 09:12

We are going to Toby for Christmas, went last year & had a 4 course & to be honest was one of the best Christmas meals we’ve had on doing it for over 20 yrs. Considering all overheads in that game, we think just over 50£ per head is a bargain.

GeorgiaGirl52 · 06/10/2022 09:14

My DS works food service with a company that does not open on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any Sunday. Pay is still unreasonably low, but at least we have family time together.

Cigarettesaftersex1 · 06/10/2022 09:18

Totally depends on area I think, we are going to a pub in Cheshire for Christmas dinner and we're paying £75/head - 3 courses, welcome drink, small gift and after dinner chocolates & coffeees

Ponoka7 · 06/10/2022 09:29

Just looked at my local places, they start from £48, as said Toby Carvery is £52.99. I doubt that they are paying the staff extra. Although tips are usually good, but in some cases just about cover the taxis into work.

BarbaraofSeville · 06/10/2022 09:47

DenholmElliot1 · 05/10/2022 23:08

You could probably do it yourself really nicely for no more than £20 a head. why don't you do that instead?

Or if you do want to go out, even Boxing Day, NYD or Christmas Eve, which is likely to have a nearly as good festive offering, will be about half the price.

Even throughout most of December, many restaurants will have a seasonal special that is slightly above normal prices but not the most expensive day of the year.

They'll need to pay their staff more, probably find cover for the minority who are mysteriously 'sick' that day, pay for them to get taxis to and from work because there's no public transport, as well as wanting to make it really worth their while financially to open on a day when no-one wants to work.

GreyBlossom · 06/10/2022 09:51

Because everyone goes crazy for Christmas Day and there's loads.of demand for limited spots, plus people (like you!) don't want to work Christmas Day so those who are prepared to can name their price. Good.

If your boss wanted you to go in and do non essential work on Christmas Day, would you do it? How much more than your usual rate would make it attractive?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 06/10/2022 09:53

The expectations on Christmas day in a restaurant will be so high that the venue will be using more staff, better (and more) produce, entertainment etc.

They don't just do their usual Sunday service and quadruple the price.