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Original poster

Nearly all our Christmas dinner is out of a packet. Tell me I am not a bad person…

99 replies

Deminism · 20/12/2021 18:37

I am hosting this year. Just seven people. But I want to be present for the kids etc.

All the veg and gravy and stuffing are out of (posh) packets. All the meat is prepared so I just have to put in oven at right moment.

I know it is my gaff my rules, but tell me I am not being a dreadful host please.

OP posts:
DisforDarkChocolate · 20/12/2021 18:39

No one will know or care if they aren't cooking. If they do then it's their job to wash this dishes and dry them

HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule · 20/12/2021 18:40

You’re not a bad person.

Of course you’re not being a dreadful host. So someone else has peeled the veg and put it into trays. Someone else mixed up the stuffing. Someone else got the turkey (whatever) ready and popped it into the tray, exactly like you would if you were doing it. Big deal.

Enjoy your day!🎄🎄🎄

unexpectedthird · 20/12/2021 18:40

I love to cook and make most things myself but not at Christmas. I'd rather spend the time with the people who will be eating the food. 🙂 So I think you're fine.

PartyPrawnRingGames · 20/12/2021 18:41

Life's too short to peel a sprout!

BHX3000 · 20/12/2021 18:41

You’re not a bad person. You’re practical and clever!

GreenClock · 20/12/2021 18:43

They won’t even notice, let alone care. Don’t worry. Have a merry Christmas 🎄

reallyworriedjobhunter · 20/12/2021 18:44

Don't worry about it. I'm doing the same this year so that I can spend less time in the kitchen and more time hosting and being with my children.

It also means there is less clearing up!

Fetchthevet · 20/12/2021 18:45

Not a bad person at all. Very sensible in my opinion.

Thebathneedscleaned · 20/12/2021 18:45

I've yet to meet anyone who wished they had spent more time in their lives cooking Christmas Dinner.

If you're guests don't like it they can cook next year.

A lot of pubs and restaurants who serve Christmas Dinner serve exactly the same thing and charge you £50 for the privilege.

MrsDeaconClaybourne · 20/12/2021 18:50

It was a revelation the year I realised it mattered not one fuck how much of Christmas dinner was homemade (or not!)

If I've got the time and I'll enjoy making it then I do. Otherwise packets and preprepped all the way 😁

catinthewindow · 20/12/2021 18:53

Every year the entire meal is ordered via M&S and everyone loves it … who wants to faff?

CoedenNadolig · 20/12/2021 18:54

@Thebathneedscleaned

I've yet to meet anyone who wished they had spent more time in their lives cooking Christmas Dinner.

If you're guests don't like it they can cook next year.

A lot of pubs and restaurants who serve Christmas Dinner serve exactly the same thing and charge you £50 for the privilege.

This 100%

Having worked in hospitals for years prior to a career change.

It all comes out of some form of packets in 90% of resteraunts/pubs unless you are dining at a Michelin star restaurant.

Batch cooked in large hospitals Ives, so yeah your toasties could have been cooked at 6am and let warm till you sat down at 12 😳

CoedenNadolig · 20/12/2021 18:55

Hospitality not hospitals....sorry. I've never worked in a hospital I just couldn't the smell of a hospital turns my stomach 🤣

HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule · 20/12/2021 18:56

😆

I was thinking...hospital food...not sure that’s the pinnacle of culinary excellence!

Immaculatemisconception · 20/12/2021 18:58

@Deminism

I am hosting this year. Just seven people. But I want to be present for the kids etc.

All the veg and gravy and stuffing are out of (posh) packets. All the meat is prepared so I just have to put in oven at right moment.

I know it is my gaff my rules, but tell me I am not being a dreadful host please.

Good for you, who cares?
ISpyCobraKai · 20/12/2021 18:59

Totally fine.
I'm spending day on my own, which I'm ok with, but I'd love an invitation for a packet dinner.
Anyway, I eat tinned pies Xmas Grin

Bubblty · 20/12/2021 19:00

Look it's fine. If it means you get to relax then what's the problem. You just have to remember what to put in the oven when. Perfect.

Zhx3 · 20/12/2021 19:02

My SIL started using Aunt Bessie's frozen roasties a few years ago, and everyone still appreciates her!

Moonface123 · 20/12/2021 19:06

Not all women relish slaving away over a hot stove xmas day.
There is alot of snobbery and competitveness on here relating to xmas lunch.
My way of thinking is the simpler the better, and more importantly you get to enjoy time with your children and family.

Luredbyapomegranate · 20/12/2021 19:07

You are a genius!

ferneytorro · 20/12/2021 19:08

Same here and has been for the past c12 years - from Tesco, Sainsburys, m and s, Aldi ,we like to vary it - oh I lie, for some reason my husband has brought real sprouts when we had frozen ones in the fridge - maniac.

hiredandsqueak · 20/12/2021 19:09

Completely fine in my books. I, on the other hand, use the cooking as an excuse to get out of the merriment and to hide out of the way in the kitchen.

Gomorrah · 20/12/2021 19:13

In my eyes you are absolutely doing the right thing - spend Christmas with your DC's. I always used to do the Christmas Day cooking whilst DH was with DC's building their toys and playing games with them. Now that DC's are adults, I can't tell you how much I regret spending all that time in the kitchen.

PinkWaferBiscuit · 20/12/2021 19:14

I'll applaud you, you're absolutely right life is too short and your family and friends will much prefer you being with them than hiding away in the kitchen for hours making everything from scratch.

The only thing I dislike about all my childhood Christmas' is that we hardly saw my mum as she was too busy in the kitchen. I'd much rather have had aunt Bessie's roasties and her playing with us.

3luckystars · 20/12/2021 19:17

What difference does it make who peeled the vegetables? You are doing a lot more than the others eating the dinner. Why are you so hard on yourself?