What do you have for dinner on Christmas Eve?

[TallulahTwinkle]

(Apologies if already done)

Need ideas :)

Steak and onions and chips, or maybe ham egg and chips as it's Dh's favourite dinner and we haven't done that one before or something slow in the oven - we don't have food traditions, we like to re-invent the wheel every year.

Baked glazed spiced ham served with macaroni cheese plus green veg and a glass of cider/appletise alongside. First slice of the yule log with cream for pud. Heavy on the carbs, helps induce sleep in excited little and not so little ones.

We often have something quick and easy like a takeaway but I'm planning a small buffet this year with the Christmas ham & M&S nibbles.

We always have a cheese board (including some baked Camembert) with nice breads etc and some hot (veggie) sausage rolls - to be eaten after carol singing on the green. Mince pies, meringues, cream, berries to follow.

Take away for us. Either Chinese or curry, normally Chinese if we remember to order it early enough as they deliver and the is so much else to do with I'll not let DH go out to collect if I can help it! Normally the dc have fish fingers and smileys/waffles, but they quite enjoy a Chinese with us now, so the tradition may change this year to incorporate them into the takeaway session.

M and S rosemary lamb when at mum's as usually away next day to inlaws.

We're having party food at sil's. Lasagne is for Boxing Day here!

Homemade quiche, homemade quick cheese, sage and onion bread and salads. The quiches and bread will have been made in advance, froze, then defrosted on the day and warmed up, so you end up with a nice homemade meal with hardly any work!

Christmas dinner! I've done it on Christmas Eve since I had DC. I remember hating having to stop playing to eat dinner, as a child. None of us wanted it, after a whole selection pack for breakfast, anyway! Also, you can eat a Xmas dinner out with crackers and Xmas music, without the Xmas day price hike :-)

We try to have pork, usually in casserole form, with rice, sometimes sausages. After the children have gone to bed DH and me watch Love, Actually whilst building the playmobil, and wrapping the last gifts.

We go out for a walk once it gets dark to look at Christmas lights (and burn off some energy) then when we get home it's hot baths/showers all round whilst I make up a huge plate of bacon sandwiches and hot chocolate.

I bloody love Christmas eve

Oooh I LOVE Christmas eve!

We normally have a takeaway, but the past years have been a disappointment, I think takeaways get too busy Christmas eve and you end up with a plate of slop...

I was thinking of doing a bit of a spread for me and hubby, fresh bread, olives, cheese, pate... I'll probably feed ds at lunch time with his main meal as he'll be too excited come tea time, he can have a little party tea.

I love Christmas eve, I "try" to make sure we're all tidy and organised so we can enjoy the whole day :)

We have done it the same way for more decades than I want to count ....substantial cooked lunch (often casserole) so I know people have had a full 'meal'.....and then party food after the crib service and into the evening, because we always have close friends and family here.

Everyone brings a plate of something, so that not all the organisation falls on me ....those who are coming to stay usually bring easily transportable M&S platters, or similar.
I love it. Only ever know half the stuff that will be on the buffet when its finally laid, so I actually really enjoy it. And a bonus that there are always lots of willing hands to help.

Chocolate log takes centre stage, for the children, and it is the first time they are allowed to cut into it.

We just have a picky dinner, crackers, cheese etc, v.yummy!

On my own, but last year I actually had a Christmas dinner on 24th and fried chicken and sticky rice on 25th. Year before..... too long to remember

Proper boiled ham, so that there's left overs for boxing day and beyond.

Tapas. I can't remember how it started, but it works really well - includes a lot of cold meats and other stuff that needs no preparation, and people who want to take it easy and make room for tomorrow can do so.

We have a family tradition on Christmas Eve that everyone can choose their own meal and have anything they want. Requested in advance obviously, so the appropriate ingredients can be acquired.

The challenge is then to get the weird combination of meals all on the table at the same time. It's manic in the kitchen, but a lot of fun and everyone joins in with the preparation and the cooking!

Pizza Hut. Have done it every year since we got married, can't remember why it started but DC love it now!

Lamb casserole in the slow cooker. Apple crumble and custard for pudding.

Takeaway curry. Occasionally we have one on Boxing Day too

DH and I are vegetarian (DC aren't)

We have Christmas Eve Lunch of fish fingers (for DC) vegetable grills for DH and I, lots of lovely chips (triple cooked chips) and salad.
Then DH and I have trifle, DC have ice-cream sundaes.

Late evening we do a buffet.

Lasagne is Boxing Day (made and frozen ahead) but last year we made pizzas (I got a KMix stand mixer so I had to try out the dough hook)

We always have a buffet type arrangement and eat it as we watch whatever film we have agreed on .

Salmon and asparagus pasta has become a bizarre, unseasonal, tradition. It's lovely even if the asparagus is from Peru or wherever.

Christmas eve is Chinese takeaway and ds will join in this year.

Boxing day is a munch ( wine, cheese, bread, crackers, baked Camembert, olives etc).