Does anyone have their big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve?

[ToastyFingers]

I used to work with a woman who did this and said it was perfect as she got to spend Christmas relaxing and eating all the lovely nibbly bits we all end up too stuffed for.

We wouldn't be hosting anyone for dinner on Christmas day, so no fussy great aunts to accommodate as dds are 5 and almost 3 so wouldn't care either way.

Does anyone else have a traditional Christmas dinner the day before? Do you manage to get all washed up in time or is it just two stressful days instead of one?
I spent a huge chunk of the day last year cooking and it would be nice to be able to relax (and eat a dozen mince pies without 'spoiling my appetite').

I’ve been giving serious thought to doing it this year- DH and my parents are up for it and FIL is happy to go along with anything (and sadly is starting to get quite confused over which day it is anyway). I don’t love Christmas dinner, or roast dinners in general and much prefer Boxing Day food. The plan is to have a roast ham the day before Christmas Eve, then Christmas dinner mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve, then Christmas Day there will be cold ham and turkey with party food. Boxing Day cold meat again with bubble and squeak and baked potatoes.

Meh, isn't it just moving it all a day forward or back by 24hrs and not lessening the work? What does it really matter?

Meh, isn't it just moving it all a day forward or back by 24hrs and not lessening the work? What does it really matter?

Because on Christmas Day DS will be unwrapping and playing with his presents and dinner is an interruption.

We have Christmas Dinnrr at 7pm on Christmas Day and manage to get out of the house twice (one dog walk, one visit to a local beach with annual sand sculpture, plus can try out any outdoor gifts DS receives).

Gingerbreadman-shaped pancakes for breakfast, tapas lunch, cooked dinner. We don't do a big roast, we change every year. Last year was Saltimboca. So nice we might do it again.

I do. The year after my MIL died (we used to go there) I spent so long in the kitchen on Christmas Eve prepping everything, then I felt like I spent most of Christmas Day in the kitchen too. I realised I was missing out on so much and if this was the new tradition I didn’t like it. The following year, and ever since, I cooked on Christmas Eve and we eat in the evening. Everyone loves it. I’m less stressed and on Christmas Day we have a buffet with all the leftovers plus a ham and extra bits from M&S, but still sit down about three. It’s a joy! I’m as busy as I ever was on Christmas Eve, but so much less busy on Christmas Day. And it’s now ‘my way’ of doing it, My FIL wasn’t sure the first year, but is utterly convinced. Waking up on Christmas morning knowing I just have to reheat a few things is the best present I could ever have given myself.

I am considering doing the same this year too, although DH isn’t keen! Given that I do the cooking I feel as though I miss out on all the fun stuff with the DC.

I do christmas on the 30th december - random day, but family have done their xmas visiting at this point the stress has died off so i host a christmas get together its not a full meal but christmas bits and pressies and games it goes down really well one sister works in retail so struggles to make it sadly but her husband and kids do.
We as a couple open christmas pressies with champagne on christmas eve. Just saves the messing in the morning when we normally have to be somewhere for 9am! (Santa drops pressies to mums for kids!)

MIL does this and I hate it

We used to do this growing up. Big dinner on Christmas Eve, followed by midnight mass. Christmas Day was a slow start, presents after breakfast, over to family friend's for champagne and canapés and then leftovers for supper. Worked really well and was a genuinely enjoyable day for everyone.

We do this and it is really lovely. DH's family always did it so we adopted the tradition. It means that we can spend more time with DS on Christmas day. We do eggs royale on Christmas morning, leftovers for lunch and did m&s cold dressed lobster and fries last year for dinner. It was our DS's first Christmas and it was such a lovely relaxed day.

Yep we do this and have done for years.

We sit down to our big meal late afternoon Christmas Eve, with all the candles lit and Christmas music playing. It feels like the start of Christmas and it's lovely . And it's double-lovely knowing that all the cooking's done, the fridge is full of goodies and we can spend Christmas day playing with the DC and eating turkey sandwiches and chocolate!

We sit down to our big meal late afternoon Christmas Eve, with all the candles lit and Christmas music playing. It feels like the start of Christmas and it's lovely smile. And it's double-lovely knowing that all the cooking's done, the fridge is full of goodies and we can spend Christmas day playing with the DC and eating turkey sandwiches and chocolate!

This is exactly how I envisage things in our house this year. It also gives me the opportunity to make a bigger, nicer Christmas Day breakfast without worrying about nobody have room for Christmas Dinner.

We had turkey and chips last year and it was brilliant! Spent the day watching rubbish on tv and went for a walk.

This year DH wants a roast so well cook it.

So it turns out that I started this thread and totally forgot about it, it didn't expect anyone to post, you're a much nicer bunch on here than Aibu!

I had a chat with DH and (surprisingly) he was totally on board with the idea so we're going to give it a try this year. I'm really excited. I love cooking but it'll be so good to be able to spend the time playing and watching Christmas films with the DDs while their still small enough to enjoy my company. Also eating copious of cheese. And leftover pigs in blankets. Washed down with plenty of brandy. Hooray!

Sounds good Toasty. Although I should give you a virtual slap for making me feel all Christmas tingly in September