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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Christmas dinner!

145 replies

vixsta2001 · 07/12/2023 20:23

I've just had my head bitten off by dh because i dared to say I wasn't particularly happy about the fact that my mil is making pork for Xmas dinner!

I mean, what's the point of a traditional Christmas dinner if we aren't eating a 'traditional' turkey/ham?

I'm grateful she's hosting, but seriously? Might as well go to the local curry house!

Her argument was that the turkey was so expensive last year! Let me tell you, they are not short of a bob or two, and quite honestly I'm more than happy to contribute towards the cost if she had mentioned it!!

No turkey (I'm not even that keen on) but do like a traditional Xmas dinner, means no cranberry sauce either! And you can't ham the ham with bloody pork!! Ffs...

Dh told me if I have such a problem then I should go round and tell her!! Why can't he see where me and my grown adult kids are coming from and grow some and tell her it's not bloody on!!!

OP posts:
ChateauDuMont · 07/12/2023 21:24

Buy some Turkey and cook it at home and bring it with you so they other guests get more pork and you have your Turkey.

AdoraBell · 07/12/2023 21:25

If you really want turkey then do a meal with turkey, maybe a turkey crown, at your house on a different day. I once did a whole salmon on Christmas Day, DH and I had friends over. They did turkey at home on Boxing Day.

Why is your DH snapping at you over this?

GwenH82 · 07/12/2023 21:26

I'm with your mil. Why spend a fortune on a turkey that no one really likes. I'm doing duck this year with all the trimmings. Other years I've done beef or lamb and one year a buffet, with pigs in blankets and roasties on the side. And our tradition is ham, cold on boxing day with cheese, bubble and squeak, cheese and leftovers. Each to their own.

Mirabai · 07/12/2023 21:27

I don’t eat pork so I would be gutted but that would also be my get out clause.

I have to have my precise Christmas dinner on Christmas Day so I can only eat at my house, my parents or siblings as others may not get it quite right!

Saying that, I have had Christmas dinner at the Wolseley a few times and that was great but I knew it would be off piste well in advance.

Mirabai · 07/12/2023 21:27

I love turkey! Prefer it to duck which we eat all year round so not particualry special.

Dunnoburt · 07/12/2023 21:28

Tintackedsea · 07/12/2023 20:38

I'm making pork too.

Stuffing ✔️
Crackling ✔️
Apple sauce ✔️

Cranberry sauce is nice with pork too.

🙋and us!!

SurferRona · 07/12/2023 21:29

What do you mean, you can’t have ham with pork? 🤣. I’m having a ham, a smoked gammon, a leg of pork and loin. Stuffing, pigs in blankets are also porky 😁. Then honey roast parsnips and carrots, sprouts, red cabbage and bread sauce. 😋 cannot wait!

underneaththeash · 07/12/2023 21:31

I wouldn't be happy either OP. (Which is why I always host)

MassageForLife · 07/12/2023 21:32

There seems to be a surprisingly high number of mumsnetters born before the 1800's, given how many seen to think Turkey isn't traditional. It has been a common part of Christmas dinner since Victorian times, and a not so common part since, iirc, the 1500's.

I guess the same people don't consider Christmas cards traditional either. Or Christmas crackers and Christmas pudding.

These damned Victorians, ruining Christmas with their new fangled traditions!

CaineRaine · 07/12/2023 21:32

I really don’t see the issue if you’re not fussed about turkey. And I’d totally eat pork with cranberry sauce and ham too, just enjoy being hosted and avoid that stress!

Original poster
vixsta2001 · 07/12/2023 21:33

The thing is, if we don't have turkey, that means we also won't have pigs in blankets! So i can guarantee it'll be plain old over cooked dry pork, roast potatoes and maybe some sweed.

I once got told off because I added mint sauce to a chicken dinner round there! They were horrified as it 'doesn't go' with chicken, only lamb!!

It's getting worse as the evening goes on the more I think about it!

Next thing she'll be telling me it's jelly for desert!

OP posts:
Original poster
vixsta2001 · 07/12/2023 21:33

@MassageForLife I know, right!!!

OP posts:
Behindyouiam · 07/12/2023 21:35

vixsta2001 · 07/12/2023 21:33

The thing is, if we don't have turkey, that means we also won't have pigs in blankets! So i can guarantee it'll be plain old over cooked dry pork, roast potatoes and maybe some sweed.

I once got told off because I added mint sauce to a chicken dinner round there! They were horrified as it 'doesn't go' with chicken, only lamb!!

It's getting worse as the evening goes on the more I think about it!

Next thing she'll be telling me it's jelly for desert!

It's swede

CaineRaine · 07/12/2023 21:36

Well I’d draw the line at no pigs in blankets and supply my own 🤣

Maray1967 · 07/12/2023 21:37

If there were no pigs in blankets my kids would revolt. We took an extra tray to PIL the last year they hosted as they thought two each would be fine.

Macaroni46 · 07/12/2023 21:40

I'd just be glad to be cooked for! I've cooked Christmas dinner since I was 20.
If you were by DIL I'd be seriously unimpressed.

Mostlyoblivious · 07/12/2023 21:41

Pigs in blankets = pork wrapped in pork….

why don’t you get chicken sausages and wrap them in bacon and then you’ve got yourself something that you can put in your mouth to stop you moaning poultry with pork

Macaroni46 · 07/12/2023 21:41

AdoraBell · 07/12/2023 21:25

If you really want turkey then do a meal with turkey, maybe a turkey crown, at your house on a different day. I once did a whole salmon on Christmas Day, DH and I had friends over. They did turkey at home on Boxing Day.

Why is your DH snapping at you over this?

Her DH is snapping because she's being ridiculous.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 07/12/2023 21:42

I’m having beef. If I were offered turkey I’d go vegetarian for a day.

Behindyouiam · 07/12/2023 21:43

AdoraBell · 07/12/2023 21:25

If you really want turkey then do a meal with turkey, maybe a turkey crown, at your house on a different day. I once did a whole salmon on Christmas Day, DH and I had friends over. They did turkey at home on Boxing Day.

Why is your DH snapping at you over this?

Because he's irritated by her whinging?

iamwhatiam23 · 07/12/2023 21:45

I wouldn't be happy with pork either op! Its not traditional and its not even a nice alternative! I would be buying a turkey crown and cooking it to take as a " contribution" to Christmas dinner!

User1786 · 07/12/2023 21:45

I’m with you, I hate pork any time of the year

MassageForLife · 07/12/2023 21:46

ChocolateCinderToffee · 07/12/2023 21:42

I’m having beef. If I were offered turkey I’d go vegetarian for a day.

What??? You wouldn't eat the pigs in blankets or proper stuffing or duck fat roast potatoes, just because turkey was also available?

I bet everyone else would be delighted - more of the good stuff for them! 😆

Pinkpinkpink15 · 07/12/2023 21:50

Ragwort · 07/12/2023 20:30

Why aren't you hosting? If you've got grown up adult DC of your own your MIL would probably be delighted if someone else hosts.

I admit I would much prefer a traditional Turkey lunch ... which is why I always host.

@Ragwort There is no food on the planet I like enough to host for 10 to make sure I get it that day rather than the other 364 🤣🤣

howdoesyourgardengrowinmay · 07/12/2023 21:50

Turkey is so hugely overrated, it's dry and tasteless. Bernard Matthews definitely had the last laugh.