Is it worth eating out on Christmas Day?

[ihatethecold]

I just cannot be bothered with xmas dinner this year. There’s only 3 of us. Me, DH and our 18 yr old dd.
She has said she’s happy to drive us on the day.
A few local places are doing xmas dinner for about £80 including wine. The menus look very nice.
DD would be cheaper due to not drinking
Has anyone bit the bullet and felt it was worth it?
We can afford it but it feels very indulgent.
I feel a bit torn.
But, the thought of doing xmas dinner and all that entails makes me feel knackered already.
(don’t even like turkey)

We did it for a good few years as there were loads of us and a tiny kitchen. We had great fun and many fond memories from it.

I wouldn't, only because I feel sorry for the staff. From what I've heard from friends who work in hospitality, they mostly don't choose to work then, they just get rostered on.

We do it every year and it's brilliant. Yes, it feels indulgent but why not? it's Christmas after all and it's not just for kids, nine adults here and we have a great time and nobody is stressed. I wouldn't hesitate and to be honest there's no way I'd bother with all the faff of cooking just for 3 of you. We have a great routine now - stockings and champagne breakfast in the morning, out for lunch, presents from under the tree when we get back and a beautiful cheeseboard late evening. Fabulous.

Do it, sounds like the right solution for you. And give the staff a good tip.

My DD works in hospitality at the weekends so we understand that a decent tip can make a big difference to a wage.

The downside for me would be no leftovers! You could also consider doing something other than turkey at home that would be less faff.

I suspect a lot of the staff are people who don’t do Christmas anyway, or have volunteered for the extra pay. And good tips. You’d have to be a savage not to factor in a good tip on Christmas Day.
I’ve only done it in NYC, where the very high Jewish population means that for many, the tradition is Chinese food (again, Chinatown doesn’t do Christmas) and a movie (all the big films come out on the day). I’d do it in a flash now if my kids could be persuaded!

We've been out for the past 5 years I think - it's lovely! It was always DM who did most of the cooking and she'd get so stressed sometimes that one year she said she wanted to go out next year. We were horrified at the thought initially of 'something different' but it has been great! Yes can be pricey but it's so much less hassle. Go for it I say

Seriously couldn’t be bothered. Too much like hard work on Christmas Day. Too fond of pyjamas, sofa, rubbish film and quality Street. I understand why restaurant meals are expensive on Christmas Day but they’re still expensive.

Can you get a take away instead, or prepare/freeze in advance.

People I’ve known do it have said that they wouldn’t do it again.
The food wasn’t as good as they would have cooked, and they felt flat when it was all over.
And regarding people not wanting to work, there are some people who are grateful to be able to earn a days wage when others are off looking after the kids. Not everyone wants to be off.

We went for a curry last year, it was amazing! Under normal circs we eat at home or would possibly go out for a "proper" Christmas dinner but family were not allowed to visit and it didnt feel like Christmas anyway. The 4 course menu was vaguely Christmas themed and they had crackers etc, it was also very reasonably priced. We had a paired back Christmas dinner/posher than normal roast on boxing day.

Less faff certainly. I feel it is worth it as well. In my area, the pubs do a lovely Xmas meal. Alternatively you can order a take out, have a box of chocolates, some nice wine and watch a movie or play a game at home instead.

We thought about doing it one year but for a family of 5 it was too expensive ( not moaning about the price as realise it's also about people giving up their day as well )
We looked instead at Boxing Day , as the menu was basically the same but almost half the price.
Had a lazy Christmas Day , buffet , nibbles etc . Then a very enjoyable meal out on Boxing Day.

@TuftyMarmoset

The downside for me would be no leftovers! You could also consider doing something other than turkey at home that would be less faff.

Doggie bag!

Do it! If the food is good you will be happy as heck and all less stressful

I always said I wouldn't as I feel too sorry for the staff but I do understand some people want the extra pay and tips for working Christmas. I did overhear a poor waitress when I was out last night though saying she's been forced into taking the Christmas Day shift and had to work 10 til 6 this year so I think that's made my mind up that it's not for me.

However, I know lots of people do it and have a lovely time. As an alternative, could you buy it all in ready made from Cook or a local farm shop (or M&S) and just whack it in the oven?

I would only do it if I'd been to the restaurant before and it was always nice food. Otherwise I'd feel a bit flat paying a large price for a not great meal. And I wouldn't feel bad about the people working on the day, with certain jobs you accept you might work Christmas, just like in a hotel or hospital etc.

We are doing it at an Italian this year. All the family on both our sides have left to their respective in-laws and left me me with the grandparents to entertain ( none of themcook anymore). I’ve got three young children and want to enjoy Christmas Day with them not be stuck in a kitchen. We did it once before and it was fab.
Gonna enjoy a lovely Champaign breakfast, out to the local park for an hour and then off for a late lunch. Then back to slobout/ play with toys with no washing up to do.

We go out but not for a xmas dinner, we go for a curry instead
It’s £50 per adult for 5 courses, less for kids but as we have teens we pay adult price for them.
It’s still £200 but there will be plenty left to take home and it’s much easier than cooking a meal here that nobody wants

Definitely a good idea and I’d do it like a shot if I could persuade DS!

Chance to dress up, breaks up the day and jolly festive atmosphere without toxic relatives and all the work. Go for it!

We do it every year. There's normally 12 of us and no one wants to cook for 12 or has a dining table big enough! Everyone pays for themselves. Its only once a year, after all.

We did it one year. Chose a lovely old country pub with roaring fires. It was fab. Food was delicious and the Christmassy atmosphere was excellent. And we went for a lovely countryside stroll afterwards. It made a lovely change from the usual routine.

I don’t like eating out for any of the traditional eating out occasions like Valentines or Mothers Day because the food and service are always so much worse than usual. The restaurants are too busy and the staff would rather be somewhere else. Christmas must be so much worse for that.
If no one wants to cook a full turkey roast, we just choose easy but tasty food and have that at home instead.

We did it one year when my MIL had just died, a pub near her grave so that we could also be near her (8 hour round trip from ours so we stayed at the pub too).

I thought it was going to be awful and not Christmassy/flat but actually it was bloody lovely and one of the best Christmasses we have ever had. Bliss not to have to do any of the work and no cleaning up and being spoiled rotten all day.

I would love to do this, but with a lot of young kids it would be a hassle. In your case I definitely would.
Home in the evening to no dishes and put your feet up. Lovely!