Who has Xmas dinner and who likes to go out/have a takeaway?

[User727]

Will be having Christmas with the in laws this year. They don’t have Christmas dinner, they usually get a takeaway curry. Me and DH have been married for 4 years, together for 7. We have never spend Christmas Day going over to his mums. We have hosted a few times and she’s come to us, but usually we go to my family’s as his mum isn’t really bothered and doesn’t do much on the day.

This year we asked if she is planning anything for Christmas and would she like to spend it with us? She said yes and asked if we can go to hers, which we agreed. She text me the other day saying she has booked a meal out (curry). Now it’s not a MASSIVE deal. I’m not crying, I’m not throwing a tantrum or thinking she’s ruined Christmas or anything daft like that. It’s just one year and I will get over it. However i do feel a bit disappointed.

I never realised not having a home cooked Christmas dinner was a big thing. However these days I do know more and more people who are doing it as it takes the pressure and stress of doing the dinner which I understand.

Would you say having a Christmas dinner is an important part of Christmas for you, or do you prefer to eat something else/go for a meal?

No, I would not have a takeaway for my Christmas meal. I like a roast dinner, and it is not a chore to cook it. I would not wish to go out either, and pay through the nose for a so-so meal.

When I was growing up there was a lovely pub within walking distance that we always went to for Christmas lunch. My mum didn’t want to spend the day cooking, washing up etc (dad was useless) and it really made the day very streamlined!

Up, nice breakfast of salmon and scrambled eggs with Buck’s Fizz. Open presents, play with them etc. Everyone goes off to shower, get dressed etc and then walk to pub for 2pm. Home by half four, ready to settle in with films, games etc and no clearing up.

Mince pies etc later.

I cook at home and have hosted our small family nearly every year since DS was born and he’s 22. I have really enjoyed doing this over the years but would love to have a couple of years off now, with no cooking to do, wouldn’t care what I ate, would love to go out for a curry or a traditional lunch, or for someone to host me! Sadly the DC both love my Christmas turkey so I think I’m stuck hosting for a few years yet.

Christmas dinner is massively overrated, it's a lot of fuss about a glorified Sunday roast.

I wouldn't enjoy that at all. I guess it depends if you are all adults or there are kids about, but I'd rather have an alternative meal (graze all day followed by pudding wouldn't be bad......) than go out anywhere. Eating out isn't relaxing for me.
In your situation I'd be tempted to plan boxing day or NY big roast and invite your family over then instead!

OP I’d check out how much it’s gonna cost you, my friend’s parents go out for a meal and it’s about £120 each because of the day. I’d be annoyed at anyone spending my money on my behalf. I’d feel guilty about contributing to a system whereby staff can’t have a day off from a crummy job. I’d hate to be out the house for so long, having to get dressed up on Xmas day etc. It’s not like you can’t have a curry for the rest of the year! I’d be putting my foot down if I were you

Why create work and hassle over a glorified roast dinner

Agree with this.

We rarely eat curry and DH is the only one that likes a roast and eats all of it. The rest of us only eat bits of it.

However, we do have a roast when visiting his parents where MIL makes our plates but we look forward to the Boxing Day takeaway more.

Most years have Christmas dinner. But to be honest I find it bland and dull. One year we went out and it was awful, staff were miserable, so expensive, burnt mince pies etc. A couple of years ago we made a lasagne. This year curry out. I don't think it always has to be the same, families change, dynamics change, etc.

It’s definitely an important bit of the day for us. Mostly because we love roasts and cold meats and bubble & squeak on Boxing Day is my absolute favourite meal of the year.

I really don’t like curry, so that’s definitely not something I’d want to do, but in theory, I’d be willing to go out for lunch if we were spending the day elsewhere. I wouldn’t consider it Christmas dinner though.

MiL does turkey, but I still prefer our roasts to hers, so if we’re spending Christmas there, I still order a turkey and just have everything a bit later that week.

We don't like turkey. Last year we had between us some salmon in a sauce and chicken breasts in honey, mustard and lemon juice marinade. Very nice with veggies, then trifle for pudding. Have what makes you happy!

It wouldn't be for us as DH loves cooking and spends a fortune on the food, sourcing it and wine from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day. Yes, there is a lot of mess which to me is a massive downside but we have teenagers so we don't need to entertain them and clean up at the same time!

But we also don't agree to go to MIL's or my Mum's anymore as DH wants to cook and we have a better kitchen for that.

That wouldn't be for me either - can go out for a curry anytime, but it's literally only once a year that you have Christmas dinner and I really enjoy it (also like having the leftovers too). Could you and your DH instead offer to cook Christmas dinner at theirs?

I would love this, stress-free, no washing up. I think it sounds fine as a one off, something a bit different.

None of us are massive turkey fans and I make a banging sunday dinner when I can be arsed so Xmas dinner is a bit...meh, nothing special.

I couldn't think of anything worse than eating out on CD. Why:
. Expensive for what it is
. Have to pay to sit with other families and excited kids, who may scream
. DM does lots of veg, hm pigs in blankets, hm brandy butter
. Eating out on CD means no turkey sandwiches and cold cuts and salad.

The latter one annoys friends whose in laws', siblings etc decided to have 12 of them out for CD dinner as their present. The friends are disappointed in not able to have turkey sandwiches.

My partner and I are staying in a hotel from 24th to 27th December. It’s called a Christmas Residency Package. I’m looking forward to it.

Love cooking Christmas dinner. It's a day when everyone is around and everyone can help - peeling, chopping, making Yorkshires, gravy, etc. You don't have to stand over the meal whilst it's cooking, and the meat sits in the oven and cooks itself. Save the curry for Boxing Day (with left-over turkey). However, I'd go with the flow, and go out for the curry with the family, as long as they're paying.

Has to be turkey and beetroot in a breadcake!

We have done a variety of things over the years. Pre children we always went out for a meal with friends at a local restaurant - was always a rather boozy affair.

When the children were younger we sometimes went to family, sometimes had family to us and other years just had the four of us at home. When it was just the four of us I used to make a lasagne on Christmas Eve which we heated up on Christmas Day so no one had to bother cooking.

Now they are adults and my dad is no longer with us we always have a cooked dinner at home and my mum comes. Sometimes we have both girls at home, sometimes neither depending on their current relationship. This year as they are both back living at home I expect it will be, DH, mum and two girls. DH always cooks. His parents dont live far away but cant manage our stairs (thank god!) so they stay home although they do tend to go to his sister in Australia every other year.

When it becomes just the two of us again I am intending on having a grazing day so neither of us have to cook.

From Yorkshire? May have to suggest that to my DF.

Restaurant Christmas dinner never worth the price, plus no leftovers (Boxing Day dinner is about my favourite meal of the year). Also, lots of places do 2 sittings so you can't take your time and leave a nice big gap between main course and pudding.

Don't like takeaway at the best of times so definitely not doing it on Christmas Day.

One of the reasons we originally chose a curry was that we knew it would be less likely there would be small children there PLUS we knew that certain family members wouldn't invite themselves
Its actually very festive and great food, unlike when I have been out previously for xmas dinner (which none of us really like anyway). I wouldn't want a takeaway though, although we did during Covid when all the restaurants had to close without much notice
People who are saying you can have a curry anytime, you can have a xmas dinner anytime as well

Christmas dinner at home with family is important to me.

id never go out and certainly would never do take away.

I love a roast but rarely have one so it’s a great opportunity for me to have one with all the trimmings. I wouldn’t mind going out but it would need to be traditional I think!

I would LOVE to go out for a curry on Christmas Day, my favourite food, so much nicer than a roast, particularly a roast I've cooked and no longer feel like eating. I don't think any of the indian restaurants around here are open though. Our local pub is, but it's £120 a head! 6 of us (all adults), plus all the drinks etc, absolute fortune.