what do you eat on Christmas Eve?

[Onedayinthesun]

Trying to decide if we should eat out and save the mess and stress, order a takeaway or cook something scummy?!

We are family of four and try to get together by 3pm on Christmas Eve and start our family Christmas once work and last minute bits & pieces are done.

Interested to hear what you are all planning to eat on Christmas Eve?

My DH and I started a tradition of having beef tacos on Christmas Eve about 5 years ago. It's great because it's different to Christmas food and you can put all the bits in the middle of the table for everyone to dig in and help themselves.

Usually an Indian. Most years we have gone our but last year i was working late so about 12 family members descended on my house for a takeaway.

This year my family are going to be 300miles away for christmas and so spending it with dh family and we're going out for a meal. I'll also be 37w pg and so I've decided ill cook me and dh something nice like a 3 bird roast from Aldi and we'll have a wee christmas dinner just us 2 the cat and bump :)

I've decided this year it's Dominoes pizza, going to take advantage of being an NHS worker and getting 50% off, have to collect it though but I don't mind that

We usually order pizza (usually Dominoes) and watch Home Alone 2. It's the only way to do it and you have to sniff and say "one cheese pizza just for me! Even if the pizza isn't just cheese.

Buffet if at mums takeaway if at dsils. If I was doing it I'd probably do pizza. Easy and tasty.

Yes to Pizza!

We tend to eat out on Christmas Eve if we are hosting. Pizza Express is our favourite. We have stayed in with lasagne before or Chinese

Lots of fish, I love Christmas eve!

We always have a Chinese on Xmas eve- I have no idea where it came from or how it started. It's become a 'tradition' now at my parents house. So we always go there house and join them whilst watching The Santa Clause

Missymoo, I'm an NHS worker too. 50% off you say? Never heard of that - tell me more!

Christmas Eve is my baking day so I always cook a big ham while I am in the kitchen. Last year I boiled it in coke for the first time, then finished it off in the oven, when the boiled down coke caramelised. Everyone who came through the door said the smell was amazing. We have it it with eggs, chips and beans.

Our Chinese closes over Christmas! We usually have family arriving on a Christmas Eve so mostly I do a chilli in the slow cooker, rice, salads etc as I can make it all early in the day. This year it's just the four if us, so we may meet DD from work in town and eat out or go for fish and chips.

We've had baked ham in the past, useful if we have guests staying and want something 'cold' left over for the next few days. But this year we have no house guests so planning a shepherd's pie - although getting a chinese sounds a nice idea especially as I am working Christmas Eve and can't stand DH's cooking.

We are hosting Christmas for the first time ever and have decided to do a kind of Italian extravaganza for Christmas Eve dinner - Italian bread and cold meats, antipasti, some hot things too. Haven't worked out the finer details yet.

Depends where I am. If I'm staying over at mums then Chinese once kids are asleep.

If I'm at home there hasn't been a tradition so far.
Going to start one though and think it will be pizza express! As we are all pizza fiends! DD loves it there and they take Tesco vouchers

Home made spag bol. Used to make it on Christmas Eve when DC were small as I knew it was easy and would get eaten. Then one year I was discussing what to cook with DH and DC chorused,'It has to be spaghetti Bolognese. It's tradition!' which I hadn't realised. So now it's always that, with green salad and home made chocolate log for pudding if they've any room left.

We usually go to my DH's Grandma's on Christmas Eve, and she cooks wonderful steamed salmon fillets, with little potatoes and salad. A nice light family dinner...so we can pig out at my mum's the next day We also make everyone a Christmas Eve box, containing a new pair of pyjamas, fluffy socks, a new mug, hot chocolate sachets, a yummy treat, and someone's box contains the Christmas DVD that we all sit and watch together, wearing our new pyjamas

I've always done soup. Particularly a split pea and frankfurter soup. We take part in a village torchlight procession that starts early (6? 6.30?) so we just want something quick and warm before we go. Then we take mulled wine and Christmassy treats with us.

Having said that I have been thinking about doing a ham now my Dad comes to us too. I do one any way for Boxing Day. Or maybe fish pie.

But the soup is easy so why make even more work for myself?

Great ideas everyone! Pizza express is winning at the moment - we have one in walking distance. Homemade Ham egg and chips sounds amazing though!

Takeaway curry round at dh's ex with the kids before we cook the next day or going round the pubs and scarfing free sandwiches which the pubs here put out...

Classy.

DH is on nightshift so im going to see if any supermarkets over here release a Christmas dinner style ready meal for him to take in, some mince pies etc.

For me and the kids we're getting take away!!

Hot dogs before the Christingle. Then afterwards hot chocolate and sweets as we watch the frog chorus, Christmas tom and Jerry, snowman and snowboy and snow dog.

We're getting our christmas dinner from M&S and have also ordered a seafood platter for me and DH after the DCs are in bed.

Definitely agree on the no cooking thing, Christmas Eve is a time to do the last bits, watch It's a Wonderful Life and get really excited for seeing the DCs faces in the morning!

We always used to have ham sandwiches as my DM used to cook the ham like Symphony does. Always made me thirsty at midnight mass so I'm not sure I'll continue that tradition .

I make picnic tea for small DC's and then DH and I had steak and chips.

Think we will be having 'party tea' mini stuff from M&S!