A cry for help - a venue for Christmas lunch!

[PTA]

Hi all,

I need some help with a venue for Christmas Lunch on Christmas Day. My DH's family want to have lunch together and are coming up to Scotland from down south for the Festive Period.

Due to access and mobility problems they can't come to us although I am happy to cook lunch for everyone. We can't go to DGrandmother's as it is far too small to accomodate us all.

I therefore need somewhere that does Christmas Lunch but also has some sort of entertainment/creche/tolerance of children. Admittedly there are only three kids but my youngest DH has SN and the thought of trying to keep him entertained and in his seat for a long lunch, especially after a visit from Santa, is sending my stress levels soaring already!

Anywhere in the Glasgow/|Renfrewshire/even Ayrshire would be good.I am prepared to travel!

Thanks for reading this far!!!

Are there any Brewers Fayre restaurants in your area? I know the one in Dunfermline has a large soft play area. I think the one in Stepps is connected to a Premier Inn so you might have a bit of luck there. Sorry, not very familiar with your area. Good luck.

I haven't been there myself, but my sister went every year to La Fiorentina for Christmas Lunch. And lots of other occassions throughout the year, it was her favourite. Being Italian it might be more child-friendly?

Looking at a very old thread, I thought I'd update you on what we did do.

After a very long and protracted discussion between DH and SIL, a private room at Mar Hall was decided upon, way out of our price bracket but I went along with it for peace and quiet and, quite honestly, the sake of my marriage.

In laws can't stand me and take very little to do with our dss especially ds2 who has SN. They also invited friends, friends of friends and friends families. I spent a large part of Christmas Day with people I had never met before instead of the cosy family gathering that had been portrayed.

Due to ds2 SN I never got to eat much of my (very expensive) lunch as he wanted to go for a walk whenever he got fed up and my plate was whipped away by the over efficient staff if I was not at the table. Normally ds2 would not be allowed to leave the table or the room but I was concerned about the other diners and ds2 causing a scene. The reason we had a private room was to avoid upsetting others and if it was only family then it would not have been an issue but as I was with strangers I was concerned.

Anyway, Mar Hall was over priced for average food and the turkey was dry. They had a Santa Claus wandering about handing out selection boxes to the kids and a pianist in the Grand Hall who was very good. The communal areas were very warm but our dining room and the bedrooms were cold. In laws were staying over and ds1 and his cousin disappeared off into a room to watch tv.

This again is not something I would normally allow as we were supposed to be spending time as a family but SIL let her son go and I felt I couldn't say no to ds1 as he and his cousin were the "big boys". Apart from ds2 there were two other young children again that I had never met before.

Not sure where I am going with this post! Was trying to report on Mar Hall but could also add to the in laws from hell/bad behaviour thread as well as we had a few other incidents/comments and the curious case of the disappearing FIL!

Never mind, at least DH knows that this type of get together will not be happening again! Roll on next year for a proper, relaxed family Christmas with my lot!