Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Christmas dinner and baby due

47 replies

Chanel05 · 20/10/2022 10:35

I'm due on 22/12 with my second child and won't be going over as I'll be having an elective section either that day or the next. All being well, I'll be out by Christmas Eve.

I have said to DH that I really don't want us having to cook / host Christmas dinner as we always do, as there's a good chance I'll need lots of help and we have a 2 year old, so I don't want him spending all day in the kitchen and me having to clean up!!

We only live nearby to his family (just two of them) but one has never cooked anything much and the other is 90. Plus, I don't see that we will want to be going out an about to other people and feeling obliged to stay there for hours with potentially a 2 day old and me still fresh from surgery.

My dd absolutely wont eat Christmas dinner and doesn't understand the concept of Christmas so there's no issue there. My question is (and thanks for reading if you got this far!!) what would you choose to eat on Christmas Day if you were in my situation? I'd still like it to be a special kind of celebration on the basis it'll be our first as a family of 4.

OP posts:
bilbodog · 20/10/2022 10:42

I would buy as much pre-prepped from waitrose or M&S - it doesnt have to be a christmas menu if you dont want it! Definately dont invite anyone round as you will be recovering from the birth and getting to know your baby. Feet up and watch TV.

ItsNotReallyChaos · 20/10/2022 10:44

What about getting something nice from 'Cook' that just needs to go in the oven? Or M&S.

I never eat ready meals but in this situation I think I would!

Or just choose something you know your husband can cook and enjoys cooking.

Margo34 · 20/10/2022 10:44

I'd rather be at home for Xmas in your situation than visiting family in the hope they'll cook, provide or help. And I wouldn't be up for cooking a turkey and full on roast either with a newborn. So I'd prep something in advance before baby arrives like a big lasagne and keep it in the freezer to pull out and defrost Xmas eve and whack in the oven at home on Xmas day when you want to eat it, and have it with salad and of bought coleslaw. Low maintenance! It will still be a wonderful and special occasion even without a full roast! And you and your partner will both have more time to spend enjoying your new family 😍

usbjsun · 20/10/2022 10:46

I would probably just get something that my DH could shove in the slow cooker all together maybe some beef, veg, stock and microwave mash

Caspianberg · 20/10/2022 10:48

Just order in whatever you like from m and s. I would order traditional roast, sides etc that are all pre prepared. Just hung in oven. Ready made desert

Get some kids ready meals in you know toddler likes, mini pizzas, some little child side ice creams on stick.
Make life easy for a few weeks.

buy some pre prepared fruit, berries, ready done scotch pancakes, crossiants. Easy breakfast

Medoca · 20/10/2022 10:51

Get something from Cook like a beef wellington, dauphinois potatoes. Can be cooked from frozen. They do desserts too if you like pudding. You don’t want to be faffing about with putting multiple things in the oven, even if they’re ready made.

AriettyHomily · 20/10/2022 10:53

I'd get something delivered!

Heyahun · 20/10/2022 10:55

M&S oven food at most

LadyKenya · 20/10/2022 10:57

Cook whatever you like in advance, and freeze it. Then all you have to do is take out whatever from the freezer the night before. On the day just steam, simmer any veg, pasta, rice, potatoes. The rice can even be cooked in advance, and frozen. Make life easier without relying on processed ready meals, and expensive ready prepped stuff.

HeddaGarbled · 20/10/2022 10:57

Smoked salmon sandwiches and chocolate.

Original poster
Chanel05 · 20/10/2022 11:12

Thanks for all the great ideas! I think slow cooker might be a good shout as veg can be prepped by him when toddler is in bed and me and baby are still in hospital.

OP posts:
Ihavedogs · 20/10/2022 11:19

Margo34 · 20/10/2022 10:44

I'd rather be at home for Xmas in your situation than visiting family in the hope they'll cook, provide or help. And I wouldn't be up for cooking a turkey and full on roast either with a newborn. So I'd prep something in advance before baby arrives like a big lasagne and keep it in the freezer to pull out and defrost Xmas eve and whack in the oven at home on Xmas day when you want to eat it, and have it with salad and of bought coleslaw. Low maintenance! It will still be a wonderful and special occasion even without a full roast! And you and your partner will both have more time to spend enjoying your new family 😍

That is the sort of thing that I would do. A lasagne works well as would other one pot dishes.

A gammon cooked overnight in the slow cooker could also work with some roasties and simple veg or coleslaw. The meat eaters here would have gammon with roasties, cauli cheese and green beans. There is likely to be pre-made cauli cheese about, or it could be made in advance and frozen. Frozen roasties if necessary, so just some beans to cook.

WonderingWanda · 20/10/2022 11:20

In your situation I would want to stay home and do the same. I'd go for something pre-made that just needs heating up like a lasagne but make it more special by having starters and dessert and get some nice table decor bits. Could do a baked camenbert for a starter and get a chocolate log or microwaveable christmas pud for dessert. Have some fizz to celebrate your new arrival and then loads of yummy snacks for the evening.

JenniferBarkley · 20/10/2022 11:32

I would forget the idea of a big meal and just have loads of party food in - bung it in the oven when you feel peckish and you can eat it one handed. Just graze throughout the day. Lots of smoked salmon and cheese on crackers type stuff too, and obviously a tub of chocolates to be picked at.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 20/10/2022 11:36

Lots of lovely frozen canapés, pizza, whatever that can be bought in advance and then your dh can heat as needed on the day.

If you want a proper sit down meal, something nice from Cook like their Beouf Bourginon would be great.

Have a lovely Christmas

Adultchildofelderlyparents · 20/10/2022 11:38

Same as everyone else, I'd get a collection of frozen ready to cook meals - lasagne, etc, that you can easily put in the oven and add veg to. Then I'd also stock up on Christmas/special puddings - Yule log, etc, so it still feels festive.
I absolutely would not want to be either visiting or hosting, but if you live near two relatives, are either of them useful for entertaining your 2 year old? If you are recovering from birth and with a newborn, it might help to invite relatives over just for a couple of hours in the afternoon to entertain the toddler so you and DH can have a break?

Weirdlynormal · 20/10/2022 11:40

Cook Shop. I'd fill up the freezer and not cook for the xmas period let alone the day!

Riverlee · 20/10/2022 11:41

bilbodog · 20/10/2022 10:42

I would buy as much pre-prepped from waitrose or M&S - it doesnt have to be a christmas menu if you dont want it! Definately dont invite anyone round as you will be recovering from the birth and getting to know your baby. Feet up and watch TV.

Exactly what I was going to say!

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 20/10/2022 11:52

We were in your position last year!! DS2 was due on the 1st of Jan, but decided to come in time for Christmas on the 22nd by c section. Technically an emergency one, but only because my waters broke before my scheduled ELSC. We also have DS1, who was 3 then and wouldn't eat Christmas dinner either.

We had really easy stuff bought in for Christmas dinner, but couldn't be bothered when the time came. We had breakfast bagels.

I was quite hurt that my parents didn't offer to visit and help tbh. We'd bought everything in, just needed chucking in the oven. But they were useless after the arrival of DS1 so I shouldn't have expected anything more!!

TokenGinger · 20/10/2022 11:57

Honestly, two-three days post-birth, I'd just be putting some pizzas in the oven or a nice M&S ready made pasta bake or lasagne. I think I'd do my Christmas dinner a few days before, or have it once I'm home and properly recovered, maybe New Years' Day.

Anniefrenchfry · 20/10/2022 12:01

I’d still make it special to be honest. I’d just buy all the ready prepped stuff from markies. It comes in its own cooking dishes and a nice chocolate log or something as well as some canapes or cinnamon swirls for the morning, get some Prosecco and orange juice.

if you’re shoving something in the oven there is no reason it has no be something unxmassy.

DappledThings · 20/10/2022 12:18

DC2 was born on 23rd and we came home on Xmas Eve. DC1 who was nearly 2 had been with PIL overnight on the 22nd when I was in labour then at home with them and DH on the 23rd.

We had said we would obviously be at home at Xmas and PIL were very welcome (especially as would be looking after DC1 if I was having DC2) but they might be doing their own cooking, might be cooked for, we couldn't predict.

It was great having extra people around to help entertain DC1 etc.

Where will DC1 be when you are having DC2?

Lalanbaba · 20/10/2022 12:24

I would stay home and opt for party food that can just be eaten cold or bung in the oven.
If you want a Christmas dinner I would buy all from m&s preprepared.
I would not mind visits, but not expect me to be waiting on you.

OneFrenchEgg · 20/10/2022 12:27

Are you looking at what to do with the two family members? Could you do a cooked ham new potatoes and a couple of veg? Really easy and that would solve needing to feed them?
Or are you thinking of getting them to find something else to do for Christmas?

gogohmm · 20/10/2022 12:42

Prepreped food - buy a roast in tray/bag chicken or similar, frozen roast potatoes, frozen cauliflower cheese, frozen stuffing balls/pigs in blankets or other preferred accompaniments, ready made gravy just microwave, ready prepped green beans/Brussels/frozen peas you can just microwave. I would do a bag of frozen roasting veg myself, possibly ready made red cabbage.

Take a suitable amount of elements for your family of course!

Swipe left for the next trending thread