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Original poster

Hands up how many of you have yet to host christmas dinner?

33 replies

ComeOyefaithfulVeneer · 02/12/2006 10:47

I am 33, have 2 kids and been married for almost 7 years yet still go to my mums every year for christmas. Who else has avoided this stress?

OP posts:
tribpot · 02/12/2006 11:00

I've only done it once, and that was for a friend of mine who was (and is) a submariner and was back on duty the day after. We both got plastered and ended up going clubbing in Paisley, which has to rate as my most bizarre Christmas Day ever.

This year I'm hosting it for the first time, normally go to my mum's as well.

Pixel · 02/12/2006 19:25

I used to know a submariner from Paisley. Well he was my sister's penpal but I met him a couple of times and got shown round in his sub. Wonder if it's the same person?

Anyway, have not had to do Christmas dinner by myself (and I'm 40) as we haven't got space for visitors and we usually have a family get-together. Last year we all went to my mum's and this year it is at my sister's (her place is huge, would fit the ground floor of our house in her living room )but I always contribute something like the pudding and other bits and pieces.

Katymac · 02/12/2006 19:28

Last time I did it was 16 yrs ago for 24.....But I could do it again with no problem as I'm used to cooking for large numbers

tribpot · 02/12/2006 19:30

Pixel - my submariner is from Durham, I was the one living in Paisley! So I guess not the same one.

poinsettydog · 02/12/2006 19:37

I've done it once and enjoyed it - would gladly do it again. But others' houses are bigger so it makes sense to go there as sleepovers are required

ProfYaffle · 02/12/2006 19:50

i only ever hosted once (am 34) and even then I left the turkey to Mum as I'm veggie, pleaded with Dad to do roasties as he's so fab at them () and I got a load of pre-prepared microwave veggies so all I had to do was assemble a nut roast the night before!

Have no intention of ever hosting a massive extended family gathering, not enough room anyway.

joanna4 · 02/12/2006 19:54

I have hosted every year for 10 as my kids like being at home xmas day with their stuff.Anyway this year is my first year going elsewhere will be odd but to all of you in reverse situation a change is as good as a rest.

Earlybird · 02/12/2006 19:55

I finally did it last year, and had 25 people over. I had it catered. It's the only way I could have done it, and definitely the reason I waited so long to take my turn as hostess. It was lovely. I am filled with admiration for those of you who are talented/organised enough to manage it on your own.

Steppy1 · 02/12/2006 19:56

hosted lots before DS and DD arrived...since then we've always had Christmas dinner for just the four of us....we actually like it like that !!!

Tommy · 02/12/2006 19:59

I've never done it

I do Easter Sunday

Bozza · 02/12/2006 20:05

I am 33 as well cov and have never done it. It has its pros and cons AFAICS. We have a lovely Christmas morning with the kids and no distractions, just enjoying new toys etc. But then because we usually fit both families in, it is quite hectic for the rest of the day. But the good point about doing both families (about 1 hr drive apart) is that it gives the DCs a bit of chilled downtime. DD will probably go to sleep (at 2 1/2 can't imagine getting her to sleep anywhere other than the car on Christmas Day) and DH and DS will probably listen to a new CD.

elliepmummy · 02/12/2006 20:44

Never done it moved out of hom and into our own home 7 years ago and alternated between IL and my parents. Although did do massive boxing day tea thing in 2003 with 22 people from both sides of family and coincendiatlly (sp?) fell pg with dd after 9 months of trying that same day (well could have been xmas or boxing day but def knew it was one of those 2 days )

We have decided since we have dd2 ariving in Jan next year we will be staying at home but my mum and dad will probably come here for dinner which means my mum will cook the turkey and bring it with her !

FrayedKnotRoastingOnAnOpenFire · 02/12/2006 20:48

I am nearly 37, and have never spent Christmas anywhere else but my parents house, or cooked a turkey

Now due to the logistics / geographical whereabouts of key family members, even though I would like to do it, it makes no sense, so I do Easter instead...

merrylissiemas · 02/12/2006 20:50

why would i when everyone else does it so much better.

but i always provide the crackers

nightowl · 05/12/2006 04:09

ive offered but strangely no-one has ever accepted.....

paulaplumpbottom · 05/12/2006 08:13

You should try it sometime. I think its nice to have it in your own home.

Stockingsofdinosaurs · 05/12/2006 09:39

We'll be having the whole of Christmas at home for the first time next year when the youngest will be nearly 3 so it'll be really worth it. My family is just too big now (15 inc 5 hysterical under 5s) so we'll probably ask DH's parents and/or his brother & gf next yr.
Rest assured I'll be panicking on Mumsnet this time next year.
My parents have decided to invite one 'sub-family' each year now which is much less stressful and we are the chosen ones this year.

LazycowLyinginaManger · 05/12/2006 09:41

This is a real bugbear of mine. I'd love to but have never had the room as we live in a tiny flat and only have a table big enough for 4 people.

We all (between 10-15 people each year) go to my parents who have more space. As my mum is getting on my sister and I take turns to cook though. Last year dh and I did the cooking - actually ds was ill so dh did most of it
This year my sister is cooking.

Tbh cooking in someone else's house is the worst of both worlds. I'd love to host at my home and so would my sister but we both have tiny flats so have never done it.

MadameBRANDYBUTTERfly · 05/12/2006 09:54

I am 36 and am have been to the inlwas for the last 5 years or so. Only because my house was so small and my parents live in Scotland. We have been up there for New Years since the moved back up.

This years though I have a nice new bigger house, a big rangemaster cooker and a big dining table. Mum & Dad are flying down from Scotland on the Saturday before Christmas, my brother, SIL & nephew are driving up from Swindon on the day and the inlaws are also coming over for Xmas Dinner. I am catering for 8 adults and 2 kids (DD is 4, DN is 2).

I am really looking forward to it.

bea · 05/12/2006 09:54

i did it about 2 years ago and loved it... it was so nice to do it all my own way (am a control freak... esp in the kitchen!) ... we usually alternate between in laws (where christmas is fab.. love going to theirs as there's loads of family ... kids... and traditions galore.... and everyone just gets very nice and merry!) and my parents... (where it's a much quieter chriistmas and less traditional )...

tried to persuade my parents to come to me this year but they love having the grandchildren to stay... so manchester it is!

serenitynightholynight · 05/12/2006 09:55

Never done it either. We spend Christmas day and Boxing Day at MILs or my Mums (alternate which way round) We don't have enough room to do it at ours (tiny flat) but it's nice to be with family. We have the mornings to ourselves though so maybe we would feel different about it if we lost that because of travelling (MILs only 5 minutes away, my Mum about 40)

If we did it at home (just us) we wouldn't have the traditional Christmas dinner anyway.

hoxtonchick · 05/12/2006 09:58

we've hosted once, both sides of the family, but i was 8 months pregnant so sat on my arse whilst the grandmothers presided over the kitchen. result!

JARMgotstuckupthechimney · 05/12/2006 09:59

Me!!

Married 3 years, 2 kids, always go to my dads for christmas!

princessJINGLEmelS · 05/12/2006 09:59

I've never done it. We are always at my Mum and Dads or the outlaws for christmas dinner. ( I'm 28 with 2 kids) Mums house is bigger and she secrectly loves doing it. It would be a squash here with my brothers and sister too.

TheBlonde · 05/12/2006 10:07

I've never done it - we are always at an older relative's place instead

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