To ask if anyone else has NEVER cooked Christmas dinner

[OrtolanLBunting]

Or lunch depending on when you have the main meal.

I'm well into middle age but have never done it. Am happy to peel veg, set the table, clear away and wash up every single thing.

But cook it - never! wouldn't know where to start. And don't go saying it's just a Sunday roast cos I've never done one of those either.

Anyone else?

@AngelicInnocent good idea 😍

My sister hasn't. She's 51. It makes me quite annoyed. I've done it most years since early adulthood.

It’s pretty unusual for anyone (male or female) to get to middle age and not have cooked Christmas Dinner (or a roast dinner which is, in essence, meat, roast potatoes and veg.

It’s pretty unusual for anyone (male or female) to get to middle age and not have cooked Christmas Dinner (or a roast dinner which is, in essence, meat, roast potatoes and veg.

I doubt it's that unusual for men still.

I love to cook, host and entertain. I can make some pretty fancy meals and people tell me I'm a really good cook. I've only made Christmas dinner twice though - once years ago when DD had a really bad bout of norovirus so we couldn't go to DHs family as planned and once last year when both my PILs and me had COVID. DH and DC didn't get it mind.

So basically, both times I did it because I had to and both were fairly scaled back because of illness. I have this weird mental block about it. I've made an elaborate roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings - just not on Christmas day. Weird, I know.

@Angrycat2768 that would still involve some planning, shopping and washing up - none of which they get involved in when Christmas Dinner is at someone else's house.

Who says people don't reciprocate?

Maybe they cook other meals or make other contributions?

Well put it in chat and title it appropriately then. AIBU that a grown adult can't cook a roast lunch?
Imo yeah.

The title is quite clear. You seem to be struggling with comprehension. And anger.

I haven't but love too just always go to in-laws or parents..our house isn't big enough....I'm helping as much as I can ..help more with in-laws than own parents as dad has set order of what he does...but I'll lay the table etc

Omg for real , get practicing and
solicit some help

Not for those of us who haven’t eaten meat since we were in our teens and don’t really enjoy a roast.

I cook from scratch most days but that’s not my sort of food.

I've never cooked a Christmas dinner. Been married twice, both exH cooked Christmas Day. I did all the shopping tho, wrapping, cards, decorating etc. same with new DP. He cooked last Xmas day and will do this Christmas too.

Was that to anyone in particular? I have no need to practise as DH does it. I'm sure I could do it if I needed to but why would I bother just for the sake of it?

😂You clearly never met my mother. She insisted on cooking it every year until she had a (mild), stroke, and couldn't manage it. That's the one and only time I ever took over Christmas dinner duties and she was like an insect buzzing around. She absolutely hated the fact she wasn't able to do it. It was the 1 meal that she refused any help with.

What do you mean, you wouldn’t know where to start? Have you never used a recipe?

Are you a fan of Schitts Creek? Remember the episode where Moira and David were trying to follow a recipe ("fold the cheese!")?

That's me 😊

Some of us have our birthday on December 25th......like heck am I going to cook a full-on roast on my birthday. I've done it once and won't be doing it again.

I'll never be in that position. I'll M&S it or go out for an Indian banquet should DH ever go on strike.

If you’ve not done it, then maybe it might be nice to offer to do it for the person that’s always done it for you. They won’t ask you to, but it will be appreciated more than you will ever know

Trust me - it won't 😂

DH isn't a martyr. He does it because he enjoys it. Should he stop enjoying it, there are options (above) for us to explore.

No need to be rude @Roussette

I cooked my first Christmas lunch in my Sixties. Before we used to go to family (twenties) then friends until in our sixties. We always contributed either with washing up, wines, a pudding (port jelly) and cheeses, or whatever was needed.

Mostly I'd then do Boxing Day and a day or so after for other people.

The poster who talked about it was quite happy with my comment and we have posted to each other about our likes and dislikes. Don't worry.

How can you not know 🤦‍♀️
If you can turn an oven on you can make a roast dinner its not hard.
Can always use Google 😆
Can't expect people to do things for you forever.
A roast dinner isn't hard ... I can't believe how many people don't know how to cook!

Honestly it’s a bit like having a baby but “never doing any nights because you take the bins out and go out to work”, otherwise known as being a lazy sod.

Honestly it’s a bit like having a baby but “never doing any nights because you take the bins out and go out to work”, otherwise known as being a lazy sod.
Nah. I do 95% of all cleaning, he does 95% of all food planning, buying and cooking. That includes Christmas. He cooks, I clear up, wash up etc. Works as a fair split for us.

Never said it was hard. Doesn't change the fact I've never had any reason to figure out all the timings and wotnot. And how to cook a turkey without it drying out and making decisions about sides.

I'm sure I could do it all if DH was suddenly unable but why would I bother when he does do it?