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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

NO Christmas lunch on Christmas Day!!!

335 replies

Staringatthetiles · 09/11/2021 20:01

Has anyone ever done this and if so what was your alternative?

I don’t want to go into the reasons why but would love to hear if anyone opted out of cooking Christmas dinner especially any creative alternatives that will appeal to a family of 5 with 2 preteens.

OP posts:
MinniesAndMickeysNeedCounting · 12/11/2021 20:48

My dh sometimes works Christmas day, so we pushed back the big meal by a few days out of necessity and I didn't want to cook it twice, turned out its much nicer not spending hours in the kitchen on Christmas day. I ask my 2 girls what they want (always pizza) and we do the big meal whenevers convient, even on years when dh is home now

nymum · 12/11/2021 21:03

I like to do a roast but my best friend has a make your own pizza day for Christmas and the kids love it!

LemonKitten · 12/11/2021 21:13

The past 2 years we've had Indian food takeaway

Roxy69 · 12/11/2021 21:22

My nephew asked his daughter what she would like for Christmas lunch last year and she said Chinese - so they had Chinese! I was a bit shocked at first but thought it was wonderful that they had a lovely Christmas meal.

Xtraincome · 12/11/2021 21:33

Love this thread! I want steak and chips this year- DD6 wants bacon and chips and DD4 will most likely want the same. We will do whatever as I don't really care for a full roast and don't like the hassle either.

The suggestions on here are amazing though! I was going to do Persian food and the DDs like making the bread and washing the rice along with making the yoghurt etc so could make for some good bonding. Either way; it won't be a roast dinner. First year doing this so am nervous of other family members having a mardy.

Bertiebiscuit · 12/11/2021 22:06

For someone like me who doesn't eat meat, hates Xmas pudding, Xmas cake, not fussed about mince pies, or roast parsnips Xmas lunch not an option usually - have never really cooked one - left to my own devices I would have smoked salmon and tiramisu 😂😂😂😂

Muchmorethan · 12/11/2021 22:36

Have a buffet of mixed food and go to Toby Carvery on Boxing day when DC go to their Dad and it's also back to normal price

SlothMumma · 12/11/2021 23:08

We had the best Xmas last year and had a Turkish platter for our Xmas meal! Just us in our pjs /loungewear, kicking back , playing with our daughter watching Xmas films and enjoying some down time . kind of wish we could ‘opt’ out again this year. No such luck I’m afraid 😩

Carol44 · 12/11/2021 23:15

Just me and eldest son this year, so it's steak and "proper" chips. First time I haven't cooked turkey with all the trimmings in 45 years!!

ohidoliketobe · 12/11/2021 23:20

@theDudesmummy

We always have the big meal on Xmas eve. Xmas day is relaxing, leftovers, chocolates, cheese etc.
Exactly this. We got fed up of doing loads of prep Christmas eve but still spending so much of Christmas day cooking and watching timings, we triednitnonentear and haven't looked back. Best of both still getting the traditional meal, and a laid back Christmas day. Plus we find the desserts actually get eaten as we'd previously been too stuffed on Christmas day to tackle them!
Notenoughchocolateomg · 12/11/2021 23:36

We're not doing traditional Christmas Dinner this year. 2 asd people to cater for Inc my youngest. Only me actually loves a roast but I hate cooking so I've said no to traditional this year. We will all eat whatever meals/foods we want. Might order in Indian or pizza. Much more relaxed.

Redsquirrel5 · 12/11/2021 23:51

My sister is vegetarian they go to the Chinese Restaurant which is open. Her children and grandchildren go and my other sister sometimes goes too. It was great the first year so they have kept going. It is relaxed and easy because they ordered different dishes and the staff are great.

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 13/11/2021 00:05

My friend stopped cooking Christmas dinner a few years ago.. I think she’s done steak pie and chips, takeaway, even hot soup with crusty rolls at lunchtime and then party food later on. It works for her!
I’m probably doing a celebration meal for the young adult dc plus partners and friends on the 19th this year, so I’ll canvas opinions on if they’d rather a roast or something else. If I’m at home on the 25th (they’re with other sides of the family this year) I’ll cook something just for me.. maybe prawn curry and a nice glass of wine Wine If I’m invited to friends I’ll gratefully eat whatever I’m given!

Geekynzmum · 13/11/2021 00:08

I've opted out of cooking Christmas dinner/lunch as I've done it for I don't know how many years now and just find it too stressful.
So this year we are doing homemade pizza, that way everyone can make their own and have what they want on it. Don't think my mum was overly happy with the idea as her face fell a bit when we told her.
I'll still do other bits to go with the pizza hut it will be quick easy bits that can all cook at the same time.

TasteTheMeatNotTheHeat · 13/11/2021 04:44

It depends what you're after. If you just want to fill a hole and get on with enjoying the day, then a takeaway or some frozen pizzas/m&s ready meals will suffice.

If you want something a bit special/hearty, then I would go for something like a nice pie, or steak and salad.

Unescorted · 13/11/2021 07:13

No turkey here because no one likes it. Part of the Christmas build up is deciding what to eat. So far this year is looking like hot smoked salmon with sourdough bread to start with some sort of pickle. Mains - beef wellington, dauphinoise potatoes, roast sprouts, roast carrots buckets of red wine gravy, pigs in blankets, chestnut stuffing balls.
None of us are huge Christmas pudding fans so I think it might be a lemon tart, pavalova (I am from Oz so this is not odd), black forest gateaux or a chocolate pudding.....

Most of it can be prepared in advance so the day itself can be chilled.

We will eat at about 8 ish so that we can all enjoy the day while there is still light in the day & do morning friend / local friend meet ups without getting stressed about the Turkey getting separation anxiety.

Scanner20 · 13/11/2021 07:38

We have decided to go for the full dinner on Xmas eve and then have leftovers, buffet and cheeses on Xmas day.
I'd like to have Xmas day about relaxing with the dc opening gifts, playing with their new toys, setting them up and not thinking about timings and popping in to the kitchen.

On Xmas eve we will go to church for the children's service and plan the dinner around that. Have a couple of new games to play and hoping to have tired dc with full bellies for bedtime. I love Christmas dinner and am looking forward to a mix up this year!

Eat whenever we like on Xmas day and if anyone pops by we will have something to offer.

theDudesmummy · 13/11/2021 08:54

The full dinner on Xmas eve is totally the way to go! We love it. Then on Xmas day a mixture of leftovers, newly baked bread etc, plus a few ready-made hot snacks heated up at random intervals...

Elfblossom · 13/11/2021 10:09

Over a decade ago, I had 3 teenage daughters - The middle one had recently suffered a stroke out of the blue and I had a new baby and no partner.
I also had no extended family - parents recently dead and siblings who didn't support me continuing the pregnancy when my partner bottled it (that's a much longer story) ...

My kids wanted me with them on Christmas day, I wanted to be with them. None of us wanted me in the kitchen basting a turkey!

So, we had sausage sandwiches in the morning then most years it's been a picky bits buffet, eat what you fancy. - then on Boxing day I do a roast dinner etc.

It works for us and I say to anyone, do what suits you and your family.

Bugbabe1970 · 13/11/2021 10:27

I used to do Xmas dinner on Xmas eve when my 3 were small. Didn't want I be stuck cooking all day and missing out on the fun Xmas day.
Worked a treat.

Idontwannadance1 · 13/11/2021 10:40

We are also having a buffet Christmas Day because we then don’t have to keep popping out while the grandchildren are opening their presents. My grandson opens his presents very very slowly and thoroughly looks at each one which isn’t a problem at all but we have to keep missing his enjoyment and excitement. We are having Christmas lunch the next day.

DappyApple · 13/11/2021 10:51

I decided to switch it out one year and did buffet Christmas Day and dinner on Boxing Day instead of the other way round.
Which was just as well as we had unexpected guests turn up at 9 am (we had only been up since 8.30 and not dressed!) and proceeded to stay for the whole day. We had no idea they were coming but it turns out they were expecting a full sit down Christmas dinner. (Despite me asking what their dinner plans were when they arrived, they said they were going to her parents!)

Anyway it was a lot more relaxed and meant I wasn’t slaving in the kitchen all bloody day.
Then On Boxing Day I took it at my leisure and we sat down to eat when it was ready and as we weren’t hosting guests there were no time constraints.
Was so much better cooking without trying to entertain the masses at the same time!

LittleDandelionClock · 13/11/2021 11:28

@DappyApple

I decided to switch it out one year and did buffet Christmas Day and dinner on Boxing Day instead of the other way round.

Which was just as well as we had unexpected guests turn up at 9 am (we had only been up since 8.30 and not dressed!) and proceeded to stay for the whole day. We had no idea they were coming but it turns out they were expecting a full sit down Christmas dinner. (Despite me asking what their dinner plans were when they arrived, they said they were going to her parents!)

Sod that. I would have said 'we are off out in an hour to the beach., so you can't come in...' Like fuck would I have let a bunch of unexpected cheeky fuckers 'guests' in on Christmas morning!. Who the fuck just turns up at someone else's house on Christmas morning, stays for the whole DAY, and expects to be waited on like they are Royalty? Confused

Nope. Would never happen in our house.

Who were these people anyway? Friends, acquaintances, family? Who? Like I said, what kind of arsehole just turns up at someone's house at 9am on Christmas morning, and expects to stay the whole day? Confused

LittleDandelionClock · 13/11/2021 11:29

@Idontwannadance1

We are also having a buffet Christmas Day because we then don’t have to keep popping out while the grandchildren are opening their presents. My grandson opens his presents very very slowly and thoroughly looks at each one which isn’t a problem at all but we have to keep missing his enjoyment and excitement. We are having Christmas lunch the next day.
Agree. A buffet on Christmas day is a much better idea.
Awaywiththefairies1 · 13/11/2021 11:30

We started our own tradition when our eldest turned 3 and I just didn't want to waste the day in the kitchen (or OH) We now have big dinner either xmas eve or boxing day an Xmas Dinner is buffet. We buy a load of bung in the oven party food and just keep it rolling til we're full.

I always find a huge roast on a day where everyone is scoffing treats and chocolate all day a complete waste