to not make an English Christmas dinner again?

[NoSprouts]

I live abroad (still Europe) in DH‘s home country with our kids (8 and 5).

I have fond memories of my Christmases growing up. Lots of food, drink, presents, music, games, laughter and fun. And most importantly, family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. DH‘s family don’t really celebrate (a nice dinner on Christmas Eve, that’s it). This year it was just us four, on the 24th and 25th.

I‘ve tried my hardest to replicate my Christmas past. This year it got too much. It is difficult to source the food items I want (no fluffy potatoes for roasties, found parsnips a month ago and had to freeze them, only frozen sprouts etc). Bought 8 crackers online for £30. I often go home to England in Autumn and stock up, this year I didn’t so we had no Christmas pudding or mince pies.

After too much wine on Christmas day I realised I will never get to replicate a British Christmas if I‘m not with my family. My kids probably don’t care, they just want presents. It was so stressful to source and make this dinner that no one but me cares about (but I do care about it a lot).

Aibu to feel sad at letting go and just eating pizza next year?

I’m sorry but as crackers have been mentioned multiple times I’m here wondering what crackers are these? I’m honestly curious

I'm from a European country, but live in the UK..
I know what you mean, some things like Christmas are hard to replicate.
Just make Christmas your own mix of British and European culture. Have fun with it and adopt the best parts that are possible. And commit the rest to nostalgic memory.

PS: what I find the hardest part isn't so much the food or luck of family but the Christmas music in the shops ... I try to play traditional carols at home but my DC are teenagers and hate it. DH can't relate to it and calls it a racket! Headphones are ace!

For @YourGladSquid en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_cracker

Abroad (not europe) we used to do what we could.
Roast chicken, homemade stuffing, potatoes, green veg, carrots (often purple ones!).
I used to find mincemeat in the shops around feb, and stash a couple of jars away, but skipped the cake and pudding. No chocolates, no crackers. It doesn't matter. Make it what you want & can. Definitely no Christmas wrapping paper!
You can make your own traditions to blend what Christmas looked like for DH and for you.

@Comtesse thank you - I don’t know how I didn’t think of these, I kept thinking of biscuits

Abroad in EU too. I paid €28 for crappy crackers off Amazon and €12 for 6 mini mince pies. Next year I'll plan it better and make my own. Never ever seen a Parsnip here either.