Mixing it up!

[Flowersonthewall]

I'm on a roll thinking about Christmas now! So because of various family logistics and availability I've decided to do a big roast on Xmas Eve with family so we can keep Xmas day very low key and lazy with a walk, films and yummy buffet food to pick on all day. What do you all think? And what would you get for food on Xmas Eve and day?

@Flowersonthewall we have our Xmas dinner on Xmas eve so that we can all enjoy Xmas day without having to cook a massive meal and miss out on LO opening presents! We have family round and it's a lovely way to waste away Xmas eve!! 😁

That's exactly what I was thinking! I don't want to spend 3 hours cooking and sometimes Xmas eve ends up being a bit of a non day!

We have a chocolate fondue on Christmas Eve with two or three types of melted chocolate and several things to dip like Turkish delight, jelly orange and lemon slices, chunks of brioche, glacé cherries, crystallised ginger, marshmallows, balls of marzipan, strawberries etc..
On Christmas Day you could just have a big cheese/antipasti board with fancy breads, crackers, pate, chutneys, relishes, pickles, grapes, cold meats etc...

I enjoy Christmas Eve as we start with the Christmas hamper the elves leave (new pyjamas for everyone staying on Christmas Eve, hot chocolate, marshmallows, shortbread and a letter from Santa reminding the kids to leave the elves in the hamper for Father Christmas to collect!). In the morning we fetch the turkey (DS and I) then normally home before everyone else wakes. Set the table for Christmas Day and prep veg then off for late lunch/early dinner with friends. Home tipsy for pyjamas, hot choc and a movie before bed.

Lots of time to open gifts on Christmas morning then a long lazy day on Boxing Day.

Sounds like a great idea! It's my son's dad's turn to have him xmas day this year and cos my bf is working it'll be me and my boy xmas eve.
I'm gunna put his presents out and we are going to have pigs in blankets with mash n veg for our lunch. Then buffet nibbles in the eve.
Xmas day me and my bf are going to my mum's and dad's for dinner so that'll be chill :)

I usually cook the ham on Christmas Eve. I put a glaze of brown sugar, wholegrain mustard and put cloves in and pineapple rings with cherries in the centres. It looks lovely and smells delicious. I always soak it first and then fresh water and simmer for an hour. I have also used the coke method instead of boiling like Nigella.
Then I cook the turkey on Christmas Day and slice and heat the ham to serve alongside it. Yum.