Christmas Eve.

[Alliwantforchristmasisbooooze]

What do you do and what do you eat/cook?

Especially after ideas for what to cook/eat?

i host xmas day, so i do my veg prepping and cook the turkey xmas eve (evening) and then try it warm on fresh buns with stuffing and cranberry. Which then follows with wine, cheese, spanish meats.

It then allows me to cook the other meats on xmas day

@jemenfous37 our local church displays the Coventry Cathedral welcome, so clearly other views are available.

I disagree on that.

Love your username

I agree - a parish priest friend once said God does not discriminate!

Working Christmas Eve, won't be home until 9ish, so something easy.

Loving the ham/gammon recipes though

We prep the veg, then i go out with friends to the pub . Partners and adult kids visiting pop in and out. Then village carols . A couple of hundred people come including visitors in the village . Then home for pizza , tv , bed .

In my culture Xmas Eve is a big deal, so that’s when our big dinner is served. Usually lamb, but beef this year to accommodate a guest. Lots of seafood as starters, lots of decadent sides and several desserts. We will be eating for hours, and stockings will be unwrapped at the dining table.

Then Xmas day is all about eating leftovers and meat pies, unwrapping main presents, playing board games and sipping champagne cocktails in pyjamas. My meat pies (mix of veal and pork) are already made and frozen so I don’t have anything to do on Xmas day. Bliss!

I cook a ham which we have with coleslaw, fresh baked rolls and tomatoes for lunch. We have lots of food prep in the afternoon so I like something I can pre-prepare for Xmas Eve dinner but also I like to have fish and something a bit special. This is not easy as most fish dishes are best made fresh! We have done fish pie before but I don't fancy it so it's salmon en croute and greens for adults and fishfingers for kids, followed by homemade Yule log.

We have smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. I used to do this Christmas day morning but it was always too rushed and not enough appetite with all the excitement. My daughter says she likes this better than actual Christmas Dinner!

In the morning we finish tidying up and prep some bits for Christmas Day. I usually (with help from DMIL), get the Dining room all ready and even set the table and get the serving dishes out. There are 9 of us this year aged 11 to 90.

We used to go to the Panto but DD is all grown up now but we are going to a Church service at 4pm.

I’m doing a Gammon in coke and we’ll have it with salads, winter coleslaw and potatoes (probably homemade wedges or chunky chips etc). Six of us eating on Christmas Eve. DMIL will make her pear and gingerbread trifle.

My point is, the OP said she was a commited atheist, so why tf go into a church at any time?

We always have fish as DH is a lapsed Catholic (we don't go to church though which should please @jemenfous37 🤣). This year we are having sea bass. Then we'll have home made mince pies and a few drinks. Definitely do not do any prep for Xmas dinner though.

For a wedding or a funeral?

Because she wants to! You can go in a building without having to believe everything that's being said inside. It's quite simple, the Christmas story is lovely, but it's just that, a story.

DH has requested salt and pepper cod for tea. We have an early evening church service after eating then telly and a couple of drinks, not a late night as DH is collecting one DS, who lives an hour away, on Christmas morning (DS working till 1am)

DH works so I faff about making sure everything is clean and tidy, candles are lit, fairy lights on and fresh bedding on etc, and spend an hour or two topping up a bubble bath with hot water, accompanied by a good book and a bacon sandwich (always tastes better when eaten in the bath, although you do have to have a larger plate to catch the crumbs). And
when he gets home, he makes sausage rolls, cheese straws, vol au vents etc and we have a picnic dinner and watch old films. Every year I say I want to go to midnight mass and every year I get too comfortable and can’t be bothered.

Different this year though as we’ll be with my in laws, so it’ll be a takeaway and friends & family popping in to say hello throughout the day.

@jemenfous37

I’m an atheist and I love sitting in the little church in the village. I can hear the church bells from my house… lovely. I go in and light a candle on various dates during the year to remember people who have died. I’m not disrespecting Christians by doing these things. I’m not a Jew but bought a menorah this year and have found lighting a candle each evening during Hanukkah very moving as I think about the Jewish people in the current conflict.

Being an atheist doesn’t mean you’re devoid of feeling. Everyone should be allowed to experience the joy of a Christmas service.

Cinema with the kids.
Delia’s three mustard pork stroganoff
Both traditions for us

A long walk, with great views.

Service with carols at the cathedral. A drink beside the fire in a local indie wine bar and a walk home for butcher made steak pie and homemade mushy peas.

We usually do fish - fish pie or salmon fillets but this year I am doing a veggie lasagne with some garlic bread (and pesto pasta for DS who refuses to even contemplate other forms of pasta 😂).

I have also ordered a shellfish platter which I can’t decide if we should have as a starter then or on Christmas Day…

I’ve never heard of a church that would have any issue with a respectful guest, of any beliefs or none. So if the church has no issue why do you? I have no idea why anyone would want to police other people’s beliefs this way.

I don't doubt atheists have emotion. I just feel that all those claiming to be atheists but who go to church on high days and holidays (esp Christmas) because it all looks very nice and the singing is lovely, as are the decorations, are hedging bets

Salmon en Croute