Christmas meal planning

[unebaguettepastropcuite]

If you were told that this was what a parent was expecting for a Christmas meal you were hosting, what would be your reaction? Anything not provided by hosts would be brought along by said parent. But everything needed to be included because "otherwise it's not a proper Christmas"

Bearing in mind 6 adults, 3 of whom are non-British and have other traditions

Sausage rolls
Cheese and pineapple
Duck pâté on toast

Roast Turkey with stuffing
Brussels sprouts
Carrots
Roast parsnips
Roast potatoes
Mashed potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes
Peas
Bacon
Bread sauce
Cranberry sauce
Cocktail sausages
Party Roast Ham

Mince pies
Christmas pudding + cognac decorated with holly
Custard
Whipped cream
Brandy butter
Trifle
Fruit jelly

Cheese and biscuits
Cheddar
Stilton
Camembert
Salted butter
Bread rolls.
Pickled onions
Branston pickle
Chutney
Fruit and nuts

Elderflower cordial
Mulled wine
Sherry
Port

Sauternes, Chardonnay
Claret, Burgundy
Irish coffee
Spiced tea. Marsala chai.

Well, that's a heck of a lot of food. How long are they staying for?

Just for lunch.
Hosts have also foreseen food

😂 well I'd say "no problem, here's what I'll be providing, feel free to bring anything else you'd like".

It's exceptionally rude but I can also be a bit "it's not Christmas if you don't have x, y and z", but id never make a request like that, I just take along baileys, tia maria and Christmas pudding.

I'd say well that's fine if you want all of those- i'm doing x , y, z which is the only bits on your list I'm making so you'll have to bring the rest with you

I am actually horrified by the orgy of food. To me it's totally the opposite of what Christmas is about

If you're hosting you do whatever you want. Could be KFC. To request anything else is beyond rude.

I would ask them if they’d prefer to host.

I'd tell them I was thinking of doing eggs & chips, but they were welcome to bring the rest. Just think of the money you'd save. Seriously, though, I would completely ignore the demand and just make what you you intended. Or tell them you can't guarantee covid safety, so they'd best not come.

I'm not the host, nor the food bringer. Their housing situation doesn't allow them to host. The hosts actually really want to host.

If it was.my parents I'd tell them I'm hosting so you get what you get. It will be fine.

My mother would ignore me and bring what she wanted anyway!

Why not just let them provide the food - make sure things like the mash just need hearing up etc....min fast even better if they actually want to just cook too. But remind them chef also washes up......lol.

None of the other 5 actually want half of that. To me the whole thing is bonkers. Glad it's not at ours

Bearing in mind 6 adults, 3 of whom are non-British and have other traditions

What’s this got to do with anything?

Looking at your list again, having pate and toast as a starter is standard. Sausage rolls and cheese and pineapple bit kids for but not ridiculous.

Apart from the excess mash, sweet potato mash and bacon, that’s a fairly standard Christmas dinner.

A couple of types of pudding with accompaniments isn’t unusual.

Cheeseboard standard for the evening is normal.

Lots of drinks is normal for Christmas Day.

Being so specific about what they want is a bit rude but at least they’ll bring extras. You seem really offended that people want to eat a lot on Christmas Day.

Cross posted with you.

Who are you in the story and agpylfhg you just stick your nose out?

That should say “shouldn’t you just stick your nose out?”

I would tell the demanding and unreasonable parent to wind their neck in and stop being an arse. That they are being hosted and should at least pretend to be a gracious guest and not a nightmare no-one will want to host again. And accompany it with a hard stare.

We are the third couple.

I mentionned that 3 of non-British as they have their own traditional foods they would like but ths leaves no space for them.

I've already said that this is just for lunch. Most of it will end up in the bin

And, they have missed pigs in blankets from their extensive list. How dare they consider that A Proper Christmas without them !

How many potato items does one table need? Your puddings sound rank. Starters are very 80s. Other than that fine I suppose.

I've already said that this is just for lunch. Most of it will end up in the bin

Why the bin and not the fridge?

It will end up in the bin because the hosts will have their own, because we don't want any of it and because they will have scheduled other food for other meals. I have asked about leftovers and been told there won't be any!

@WhereYouLeftIt

And, they have missed pigs in blankets from their extensive list. How dare they consider that A Proper Christmas without them !

Actually you're right. I love pigs in blankets.

Maybe I should send a message saying I'm terribly offended they've been missed off.

Thanks for your post, it provided some light relief in this rather odd situation

@WhereYouLeftIt

I would tell the demanding and unreasonable parent to wind their neck in and stop being an arse. That they are being hosted and should at least pretend to be a gracious guest and not a nightmare no-one will want to host again. And accompany it with a hard stare.

I have said that if a compromise cannot be reached between them and the hosts, then we will be going elsewhere/staying at home. We do not wish to be party to all this nonsense

I’d leave them to work it out among themselves.

It's actually a few dishes less than my Christmas menu

It isn't really an orgy of food (in my home, at least). Nobody has a serving of every dish! It's about offering choice to my family and guests. I just like to make sure that everyone has their favourites and I pretty much know who will want what after decades of hosting so there isn't any waste. I only make enough of items that don't keep well, like vegetables. Leftover turkey, ham, puddings etc get eaten over the next few days.

We do have the canapes at lunchtime, then the main course at dinner time, with a break before dessert and cheese in the evening though. It's not all eaten in one sitting.

@thelegohooverer

I’d leave them to work it out among themselves.

I've told them I'm not getting involved in their disputes