It's supposed to be about the event, and the group, not the food - isn't it? That's what I've always done when vegans have come to see me, anyway. I'm really surprised at people being expected to bring their own food
I've read most of this thread, but not in its entirety. We usually have just dh and me and the grown up children + partners nowadays, but the past couple of years we invited dh's brother and wife because they would otherwise be on their own, because their own kids were having xmas dinner with 'their' in- laws. Lot of bloody in-laws around at xmas.
They're not elderly or frail, mid fifties, into fell walking and wild swimming, and they would have been perfectly happy on their own, but it's just fun at xmas to be with relatives, isn't it?
I'd got my xmas meat order in and everything, had most things planned, and only thought to invite them 3 weeks beforehand.
They are vegan. So then I thought, do you know what? I'll change my order online, and do a vegan xmas dinner! I love a challenge, me.
I don't know why so many people (even vegans!) are so scathing about nut roast. I bloody love it. It was no less tasty without the parma ham, and cheese, and pigs in blankets, and beef dripping roasties, and pancetta ham scattered everywhere. If you're missing that flavour just chuck in a handful of salt. I did, however, rope the in-laws in as advisers on the day so effectively halved my kitchen duties.
OK so it wasn't traditional turkey or beef with all the trimmings. But it was tasty, it was a proper feast, and it was a change from the norm.
A lot of Xmas puddings are accidentally vegan so that wasn't difficult.
We had 'proper' cheese in the evening, , but I got a vegan alternative cheeseboard at Sainsbury's which in-laws were happy with.
I didn't miss meat one little teeny bit because we were a party of eight, on xmas day, with delicious food and some wine and it was something I'd happily repeat. I can have a bacon and sausage sandwich any day of the week. With an egg on top.