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Christmas

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Original poster

Has anyone regretted doing Christmas lunch on Christmas Eve?

67 replies

liveeverysecond · 30/09/2022 20:12

DDs are with their Dad from Christmas Day lunch this year and we have guests Boxing Day so thinking about doing our Christmas lunch on Christmas Eve then a buffet Boxing Day... I'm worried it won't feel the same and will regret it.

Home Christmas afternoon with DP and we're looking forward to a long dog walk then lazy afternoon so will get in easy food!

OP posts:
The4teddybears · 30/09/2022 20:15

I’ve done it twice, my daughters are nurses and it fitted in with their shifts. It’s fabulous. . We enjoyed it. And Christmas Day was so much more relaxed.

cavia · 30/09/2022 20:15

I think you do your "normal" Xmas dinner with them but make sure you have a different but equal treat for Xmas day itself...

I used to get an Indian on Xmas eve and save for Xmas day when I was a single mum and DD was with her dad, but even if cheese on toast is your treat food, do that but a double portion with crisps and chocolate for x as day xxx

FlowerArranger · 30/09/2022 20:17

In much of Europe, Christmas Eve is the big day....
So do whatever suits you circumstances

BendingSpoons · 30/09/2022 20:19

One year we had Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve (early evening) and then a posh buffet for lunch on Christmas day. It worked well.

Squirrelblanket · 30/09/2022 20:20

I've done it and didn't regret it. In fact we're doing it again this year.

It still felt special and we had all the leftovers to form part of a very relaxed feast on Christmas Day!

peassandcarrots · 30/09/2022 20:21

Why don't you make more food than you need on Christmas Eve and plate up enough for you to warm up on Xmas day?

Ikeatears · 30/09/2022 20:22

We do this every year and have done for a long time. We love it, the kids (mostly grown up now - we even have a granddaughter this year) love it. They say it's their favourite part of Christmas.
It means Christmas Day is relaxed, pjs, picky food and do as you please. Wouldn't change it now.

Original poster
liveeverysecond · 30/09/2022 20:23

peassandcarrots · 30/09/2022 20:21

Why don't you make more food than you need on Christmas Eve and plate up enough for you to warm up on Xmas day?

That's a good idea! I've never not had Christmas lunch on Christmas Day and worried it won't feel like Christmas Day without the usual roast.

That said, if we've had it Christmas Eve I don't think I'll be craving one!

Maybe I'll just have options for both and decide on the day Grin

OP posts:
goldfinchonthelawn · 30/09/2022 20:30

The most important thing is to have Christmas Dinner with your family. So if they are around on Christmas Eve but not Christmas Day, that;s when to celebrate.

I think I would just mentally shift a day so Christmas Day becomes like a quiet, lazy, PJs Boxing Day and Boxing Day can be a family get together. Do whatever feels most festive and relaxed.

FirstAidKitNowPlease · 30/09/2022 20:30

Keep in mind your kids will have Christmas meals three days in a row most likely. Not that it matters particularly but mine have never been keen on Boxing Day meal day after Xmas at dads.

Nor would I do full Xmas meal on 24th as it might ruin it a bit for their dads meal. I'm way too considerate though.

I tend to do it 23rd or 22nd if kids are away with their dad

Luxurysleuth007 · 30/09/2022 20:34

On the fence here, I’m a traditionalist and a stickler for routine so I don’t know how I would feel. It makes no difference really but it’s how it would feel when you know the majority of everyone else is doing different…

Original poster
liveeverysecond · 30/09/2022 20:36

FirstAidKitNowPlease · 30/09/2022 20:30

Keep in mind your kids will have Christmas meals three days in a row most likely. Not that it matters particularly but mine have never been keen on Boxing Day meal day after Xmas at dads.

Nor would I do full Xmas meal on 24th as it might ruin it a bit for their dads meal. I'm way too considerate though.

I tend to do it 23rd or 22nd if kids are away with their dad

Thanks @FirstAidKitNowPlease luckily my DDs love roast especially if there is lots of pigs and blankets and Yorkshire puddings so they'll be happy 😂

Fairly certain we have guests Boxing Day and fancy doing a buffet so Christmas Eve feels best option.

OP posts:
surreygirl1987 · 30/09/2022 20:42

I intend to do that this year, but the Christmas eve meal will be dinner not lunch. Then a big buffet lunch on Christmas day, followed by something like turkey sandwiches and cheese/crackers for dinner.

BrennieGirl · 30/09/2022 20:42

Squirrelblanket · 30/09/2022 20:20

I've done it and didn't regret it. In fact we're doing it again this year.

It still felt special and we had all the leftovers to form part of a very relaxed feast on Christmas Day!

Same here. Last year was the first time to do it and we'll definitely be doing it again this year. Although our Christmas Day is less of a feast and more a ginormous sandwich! It was such a relaxing Christmas Day.

LtMoose · 30/09/2022 20:50

I have Christmas Dinner on Christmas eve now and I will never go back. It's makes Christmas day much more fun, no cooking just leftovers and a much more relaxing day.

LoveChristmas03 · 30/09/2022 20:56

My parents divorced when I was tiny and I spent every Christmas eve with my mum and went to my dads at lunchtime on Christmas day for Christmas dinner. We always had a lovely meal on christmas eve with candles and crackers and christmas lights and I remember it really fondly. We didn't have tradional christmas dinner though, just our favourite meal and dessert. So your kids would love it, my mum was always busy with her family on Christmas day and she seemed to enjoy it as well.

ivykaty44 · 30/09/2022 21:04

I’d really like to do this

but I’m worried that as it’s only 2 of us on Christmas Day, it may make Xmas day more normal every day without the lunch

Shecrazy · 30/09/2022 21:19

peassandcarrots · 30/09/2022 20:21

Why don't you make more food than you need on Christmas Eve and plate up enough for you to warm up on Xmas day?

We first did the whole 'Christmas dinner on Christmas eve ' thing two years ago due to lockdown(and having an excuse to have no other family over). I was fed up spending half of Christmas day in the kitchen every year and tbh by the time you eat the big dinner most of the excitement of Christmas has gone.

We loved it! Did it again last year and now no-one is for going back to the old ways.

Christmas dinner on Christmas eve is more exciting - the atmosphere is full of expectation and everyone is in high spirits. We exchange the presents the children have bought each other and us, it's really special. Then on Christmas day we each eat whatever we like (this year they want pizzas delivered Christmas eve to be eaten the next day), and lots of bubble and squeak for tea.

Any family are welcome to join us but they have to follow our menu 😁

Shecrazy · 30/09/2022 21:26

surreygirl1987 · 30/09/2022 20:42

I intend to do that this year, but the Christmas eve meal will be dinner not lunch. Then a big buffet lunch on Christmas day, followed by something like turkey sandwiches and cheese/crackers for dinner.

Yes, definitely in the evening, surrounded by twinkling fairy lights and the countdown started.. follow dinner with Muppets Christmas Carol..

I'm getting really excited now 🎅

absolutelyknackeredcow · 30/09/2022 21:28

Honestly the best ever Christmas dinner I have ever tasted was on Boxing Day when I have left overs from the day before so go for it. I still think about that dinner 😋

HauntersGonnaHaunt · 30/09/2022 21:29

I don't understand why you'd regret celebrating Christmas?
You'll probably regret doing nothing special for Christmas.

Original poster
liveeverysecond · 30/09/2022 21:33

HauntersGonnaHaunt · 30/09/2022 21:29

I don't understand why you'd regret celebrating Christmas?
You'll probably regret doing nothing special for Christmas.

I'd never regret celebrating Christmas... I love it! Just feels odd not having a big lunch on Christmas Day and worried it'll feel flat or weird. I guess I don't want to be disappointed on Christmas Day not having lunch more so than regretting having it Christmas Eve if that makes sense!

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snugglyblanket · 30/09/2022 21:46

We do our big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve every year, we love it. No stress about cooking all Christmas morning, no missing the DC opening gifts, no rush to get dressed or clear away before everyone is ready. You can take Christmas day at your own pace and there are plenty of leftovers to eat.

Luredbyapomegranate · 30/09/2022 22:10

Sounds good to me, just think about what you and DP will do on C’mas day to make it special to you. Could be an early extra Valentine’s Day, obvs..

Doghairismyglitter · 30/09/2022 23:01

Lone parent here, so I do - I love it!
I find it such a nice warm up to Christmas Day; have time to have a long lovely meal and DC’s go to bed with full tummies as they actually eat their meal rather than wanting to go back to their presents!

Christmas is then so much more relaxed, I spend all day with my children and don’t worry about them having chocolate and ruining the big meal I’d be slaving over nor feeling guilty and irritable I’m in the kitchen instead of spending time with them.

I tend to use leftovers and do Turkey toasties or leftover Turkey with mashed potatoes, veg and gravy on the actual day.