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Original poster

Is it worth eating out on Christmas Day?

147 replies

ihatethecold · 12/11/2021 08:36

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)

OP posts:
thegreylady · 12/11/2021 12:46

I did it two years running when dh was in hospital. I took the dc then aged 11 and 15 to a great pub near the hospital and we were able to visit dh after dinner. It made a difficult situation bearable for all of us.

SophieKat1982 · 12/11/2021 12:47

@AtillatheHun

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!
Not true. Worked in hospitality for years, no choice, it all goes with the job so you’re just rostered on as though it’s a normal week (but where I work you get a lieu day so you can have your family Christmas on an alternative date). I’d never eat out of Christmas Day for the reasons of having been on the other side of it for so many years. What makes it bearable or even fun is if the guests are polite and in good spirits.
julieca · 12/11/2021 12:47

I have the last few years just got ready-made stuff to cook easily. Got a beef wellington from Iceland for £16, just sling in the oven and have it with some ready-made red cabbage, pigs in blankets and ready prepared parsnips. Fraction of the price.
By the way the Iceland beef wellington is nicer than the smaller COOK one.

headintheproverbial · 12/11/2021 12:49

We often did it when I was a kid to save someone the unenviable task of cooking for the big crowd and hosting.

We've done it with our children especially when not seeing anyone else on the day - makes it more festive. So low stress!!

NotQuiteFinishedYet · 12/11/2021 12:50

First time ever, we are going away for the whole Christmas weekend. Lovely manor house hotel booked, serious luxury awaits. And it's even dog friendly !

TheLovelinessOfDemons · 12/11/2021 12:52

I definitely would. DH does the Christmas dinner, and doesn't eat out, but I would if he would.

Sn0tnose · 12/11/2021 13:07

Personally, I wouldn’t want to. Partly because I’d feel guilty about the staff having to work, partly because I’ve never had a roast dinner that comes anywhere near the one DH and I make and partly because we get a massive turkey and eat it for days; we love turkey. Oh, and I wouldn’t be able to wear pyjama bottoms either.

But, Christmas is all about doing what makes you happy (aside from all of the religious stuff, obviously). So if the thought of it makes you happy, then you’d be mad not to do it. It’s often the pressure to do things a certain way that makes people dislike Christmas and there’s no need for it.

Rosemaryandlemon · 12/11/2021 13:12

I did it with the children and my in-laws. It was not fun. The food was slow to come and the children got restless. My mother-in-law has a very nervous energy so kept encouraging them to run off "I don't need to eat, you guys just sit here eating".

I did it pre-children once and it was fantastic. We all had to stay in London for one reason in and another. We had an amazing meal, loads of good food and wine. No washing up. Was brilliant.

I think you with DH and DD it could be fab. Go somewhere really nice. Maybe where you can go for a nice walk before hand.

Funkyslippers · 12/11/2021 13:22

I wouldn't - not just about the inflated cost but it's usually 2/3 courses and when we eat at home I'd rather have my Christmas dinner when I feel like it, then take a break rather than a set time and have my pudding and nibbles later

JudgeJ · 12/11/2021 13:23

@Skiptheheartsandflowers

Do it, sounds like the right solution for you. And give the staff a good tip.
My daughter as a student always volunteered for working on Christmas Day lunch and New Years Eve, she said the tips were amazing! We used to do either Christmas Eve or Christmas night though by then she was sick of the sight of turkey!
silverbubbles · 12/11/2021 13:27

@Kendodd

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.
OMG, Yes - let's all stop eating out on Xmas day so that the hospitality industry that has been thriving over recent times can suffer a bit more. None them really want to be there anyway???!!
PinkTonic · 12/11/2021 13:28

We did it the year before last as it was just the two of us and I would do it again in the same circumstances. We are walking distance from a couple of really excellent restaurants though and I had to book months in advance. It was lovely but yes it’s expensive to go somewhere really nice.

DotBall · 12/11/2021 13:32

We went away once to a B and B for Christmas and that was superb, all the food was amazing.

In the last few years we had Christmas lunch at the local village pub and, whilst the food was good, the ambience was rubbish and we then had no leftovers for Boxing Day, so ended up cooking anyway!

Comedycook · 12/11/2021 13:32

We did it one year.

Was similar price...about £80 per head in a nice local gastro pub.

I think if there's only a few of you, it's a really nice thing to do as it gets you out of the house and there's a nice chrismmasy atmosphere. When we went I noticed lots of tables of small families.

Pros were no cooking and clearing up obviously. Our morning was so chilled opening presents rather than peeling a load of potatoes Grin. It was also lovely to come home to a clean kitchen rather than a mountain of washing up.

The only downside was the cost and the fact that there were no leftovers!

SpacePotato · 12/11/2021 13:35

Just don't have xmas dinner. It isn't compulsory.

Evenstar · 12/11/2021 13:45

I actually did it one year, I was just so sick of cooking Christmas dinner, it was only the Toby carvery, but the food and service was perfectly acceptable. It was absolutely wonderful to come home and just sit down in time for the Queen with a cup of tea and nothing to do.

The children were not so chuffed about it, and I haven’t done it again, but it acted as a sort of reset. They realised just how many years I had worked so hard and made Christmas lunch and now I have an awful lot more help in the kitchen!

TillyTopper · 12/11/2021 13:46

I would! Because it will make an "event" of the day and be really festive.

Figgygal · 12/11/2021 13:48

I would absolutely be doing it if we could and I’ve never even cooked Xmas dinner

TheRealMrsJelly · 12/11/2021 13:49

I've waitressed on Christmas day, in a pub and in a golf club. We were paid double and the tips were great. Everyone was happy to do it as we were all young and more interested in nights out than Christmas dinner with the family. However, I don't think I'd do it myself. Looking back on it, it didn't feel cosy, even with the country pub fire, and to me there was no atmosphere, not like there is at home on Christmas day.

AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken · 12/11/2021 13:55

We ate out every year pre kids and we plan to do it again when they’re older. As they’re 4,3 and 3 weeks old, they want to stay home with their new toys etc. at the moment.
We also used to do a hotel stay on Christmas Day night but that will be on hold until the kids are grown and have their own Christmas plans.

sammyjoanne · 12/11/2021 14:16

Ive done it a few times and its much better than cooking at home. Shop around too, as you might find a little pub somewhere thats cheaper

nannybeach · 12/11/2021 14:23

Did it once with now ex H,he was a big eater,it was 5 courses, ridiculous for someone who only eats small portions. I hated being in a restaurant,(it was our favourite 'local' )with strangers at the next table.

Original poster
ihatethecold · 12/11/2021 14:42

so, I did drop hints about having a curry on xmas day and then a proper xmas dinner on a cheaper day. Both DD and DH said that sounds good, then had a secret chat about it later. Grin saying they really didn't want anything but a xmas dinner on xmas day!
it did make me chuckle.
Those of you saying to cook anything I like, They really love the tradition of turkey, I'm not fussed at all.

I have looked on lots of home delivery websites to get an idea of whats available. Im now wondering if M and S pre ordering would be better. More choice.

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 12/11/2021 14:44

DS(16) has just started a part-time job in hospitality and is eyeing up the pay for working over Christmas

1forAll74 · 12/11/2021 15:04

No wouldn't eat out on Christmas day,, very inflated prices, and being around all sorts of alien people., perhaps very noisy as well.And would feel sorry for all the staff in their rush about, when they would rather be at home.